Preventive therapy

Definition

Preventive therapy involves the use of medications or lifestyle changes to prevent the onset of disease symptoms. Specifically, it aims to reduce the frequency and severity of conditions like migraine headaches.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Preventive therapy for migraines often includes medications such as beta-blockers, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants.
2. Lifestyle modifications like stress management, regular sleep patterns, and dietary changes can also be part of preventive therapy.
3. Preventive medications are typically recommended for patients who experience frequent or severe migraines that significantly impact their daily life.
4. Commonly prescribed preventive drugs include propranolol, topiramate, and amitriptyline.
5. Efficacy of preventive therapy is usually evaluated after a trial period of 2-3 months to determine if there is a significant reduction in migraine frequency.

Review Questions

• What types of medications are commonly used in preventive therapy for migraines?
• Why might a patient be recommended to undergo preventive therapy for migraines?
• How long is the typical trial period to evaluate the effectiveness of preventive therapy for migraines?

Related terms

Beta-Blockers:

Medications that reduce blood pressure and are often used in preventive therapy for migraines.

Anticonvulsants:

Drugs originally designed to treat epilepsy but also used to prevent migraines.

Propranolol:

A beta-blocker commonly prescribed as a preventive medication for reducing the frequency of migraine headaches.