Migraine Headache Relief

Migraine Headache Relief Service

How can Anytime Pharmacy help me?

We provide this regulated, specialist service for patients who wish to obtain medicine to treat migraine. This treatment service is for patients who suffer from migraine and recognise the symptoms - migraine is different to a normal headache.

A migraine is a throbbing, intense headache in one half of the head. It can affect people of all ages. The cause of migraine is not known.

All services provided by Anytime Pharmacy are safe, fast and confidential (we do not inform your GP). You can obtain treatment within the privacy of your home and without the inconvenience of lengthy doctor waiting rooms.

Choose same day click and collect from your local participating pharmacy. The benefit of collecting from your local pharmacy is that you can go to the pharmacy at a time that suits you, it's faster than a mail order delivery and no-one has to wait at home to sign for your medicine.

How does the Anytime Pharmacy service work?

Step 1:	Register online and complete the free online medical questionnaire consultation. A doctor will review your questionnaire and, if it is safe to do so, approve you for treatment. You do not pay for your doctor consultation.
Step 2:	If you are approved for treatment you will be sent a text message asking you to log back into your secure patient record. You can pay for your migraine treatment using a debit or credit card.
Step 3:	You will be sent a FREE SMS (text message) when a doctor has sent your prescription to your nominated pharmacy. We advise you to call your nominated pharmacy to check your prescription is ready, then collect your medicine.

Why are no prices shown for Anytime Pharmacy treatment services?

Under current UK advertising law we cannot show you prescription-only-medicine (POM) prices prior to a medical consultation with a registered doctor. Once your doctor has approved you for treatment all prices are clearly displayed. Your registration and medical consultation is free and you are under no obligation to purchase any treatment.

All of our prices are fully inclusive, and so for prescription medicines the prices include the cost of the consultation, the issuing of a private prescription, and dispensing of the medicine itself. There are no hidden extras.

How common is migraine?

Migraine is a common health condition, affecting about 15% of adults in the UK. Migraines affect one in four women and one in 12 men in the UK.

How does this migraine treatment work?

Your doctor can prescribe you sumatriptan(imigran) tablets and imigran sprays. If simple painkillers and antisickness medicines consistently fail to relieve migraine attacks, then the most popular modern remedies are the triptan group of drugs such as sumatripitan.

Sumatriptan works by stimulating receptors called serotonin (or 5HT) receptors that are found in the brain. A natural substance called serotonin normally acts on these receptors, causing blood vessels in the brain to narrow. Sumatriptan mimics this action of serotonin by directly stimulating the serotonin receptors in the brain. This narrows the blood vessels and so relieves the pain of migraine headaches.

How to take your migraine treatment

You should start with the lower dose of the tablets. Tablets come in 50mg and 100mg strength. Try 50mg first. The dose of sumatriptan should be taken as early as possible after the migraine headache has started, though it is also effective if taken at a later stage during the migraine attack. Maximum dose is 300mg in 24 hours.

What are the potential side-effects (contraindications) of this migraine treatment?

All medication and antibiotics can cause side effects. Your migraine treatment can cause flushing, feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting). The leaflet accompanying the treatment will list some of the rarer side-effects.

When answering your medical questionnaire for migraine treatment it is very important that you answer the questions truthfully to ensure your doctor has a full picture of your medical history before they prescribe you treatment.

How effective is this migraine treatment?

Sumatriptan is a painkiller specifically used to relieve migraine attacks and is considered effective if you follow your Doctor's prescribing instructions.

Who should not use this particular migraine treatment service?

You should not request this treatment service if you are allergic to medicines from the sulphonamide group, e.g. the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole, and if you have high blood pressure.

This service is not suitable for women who are pregnant or nursing, or people with kidney or liver diseases.

Alternate treatment options

Rest, and simple painkillers containing paracetamol, anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin.

Looking after your migraine treatment

This treatment is for YOU only. Do not give it to others. It may not suit them. Do not take this medicine after the expiry date stamped on the pack. Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.