Diet and Health FAQ

Tagged As: Migraine Meds

Question:
I am researching this.....my ob/gyn doesn't treat migraines and they gave me a list of all meds that they approve for pregnancy...none are your typical migraine meds. They allow, for example, Immodium, Robitussin DM, Tylenol Sinus, Sinutab, plain Tylenol....I have asked about migraine meds and they say they don't approve anything but what's on the list. I am *not* planning to take anything...I do understand that later some milder narcotics will be allowed (which don't help my migraines)...I have definitely ditched all my preventives (Klonopin, Zanaflex) and am doing really well so far. They did tell me they will allow Paxil if I think I need to go back on it. I don't. I'm ok so far. I do remember someone telling me Midrin or was it Migranal...Migranal I think...was allowed for them. All I know is my ob/gyn is great but they just won't consider Imitrex etc or even Migranal. My other doctors (neurologist) don't want to be in contention with ob/gyns so they defer to their knowledge on that topic. Is there anywhere I can research this topic? I am going to compile a list of drugs I am wondering about and send it to my ob/gyn and get them to tell me *why not*, rather than just say No better to be safe....I want them to say well, it could cause bleeding, or it could cause this problem for the fetus or this risk etc....Then I will be satisfied. I just want to understand the why's. I am wondering about Maxalt/Imitrex/Amerge, including Imitrex nasal spray...why I can't use Rhinocort nasal spray...Zyrtec....that is really all I am concerned about, it doesn't bother me that they don't want me to use Klonopin daily; I won't. I won't even touch Klonopin-- but if I continue to have panic attacks, I am going to ask them more and more Are you SURE I can't just take one??? If they never agree to it I'll never take it....

Answer:
No triptans are allowed except Imitrex. Rhinocort, I believe*, is a steroidal type nosespray...no steroids are allowed while pregnant(well so early). I did a 3 day round of Prednisone in my last trimester because I couldn't shake a migraine. But this was per my NEUROLOGIST not my OB and was a LAST resort. I believe Claritin is okayed..so I don't see why Zyrtec isn't. But they *are two different meds. Tylenol #3, Lortab and Fiorcet are allowed. Tylenol #3 being the most often prescribed. But since you say narcotics don't help...Midrin is allowed, too. >My other doctors (neurologist) don't want to be in contention with >ob/gyns so they defer to their knowledge on that topic.