Abstract

The objective of abortive treatment of migraine attack is to reduce the intensity and duration of pain with its attendant symptoms and to optimize the patient’s ability to function normally. The triptans, selective serotonin 5-HT1B/1D agonists, are very effective acute migraine drugs. Triptans work by decreasing neurogenic inflammation peripherally in the meninges, vasoconstriction of meningeal vessels and by modulating secondary order neurons in the brain stem. Treat- ment choices for acute migraine should be based on headache severity, migraine frequency, associated symptoms, and comorbidities. The aim of this article is to review the pharmacokinetics and clinical characteristics of these triptans and discuss how their individual characteristics lead to their preferred choice in various clinical aspects.