Trend watch. Treatment of migraine and the role of psychiatric medications.

Over the past year, there were approximately 5.5 million patients treated for migraine. Approximately 50 percent of migraine patients are treated by primary care physicians and an additional 21 percent are treated by neurologists. Psychiatrists play a small role in the treatment of migraine, and they treat only slightly more than one percent of migraine patients. 5HT-1 agonists represent 42 percent of migraine treatment. Pain products (both narcotic and non-narcotic) and antiepileptics account for an additional 21 percent and 13 percent of migraine therapy treatments, respectively. Psychiatric medications, such as tricyclic antidepressants, are not commonly used in the treatment of migraine (3.5% of medication uses). A discussion of data is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]