Acute treatment of migraine: established and emerging therapies.

Migraine is a chronic, episodic, often disabling, neurological condition that affects more than 12% of the US population, 3 times more in women than men. It has widespread effects on cerebral function and appears to be inherited. There are many types of therapy including behavioral, complementary, acute pharmacologic care, preventive pharmacologic care, and physical techniques. General treatment principles include lifestyle changes and using rapidly acting acute care medications alone or in combination early in the migraine attack. Migraine-specific medications such as triptans and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should be used when possible. There are several promising medications and devices in the migraine pipeline.