Table 7 Recommended drugs and doses for acute migraine therapy, step one

 Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs:

  • Acetylsalicylic acid 900–1000 mg or

  • Ibuprofen 400–800 mg or

  • Diclofenac 50–100 mg

• Domperidone 10 mg (supportive evidence of efficacy is for 20 mg, but the European Medicines Agency recommends restriction to 10 mg orally [up to three times daily] or 30 mg by suppository [up to twice daily]), or

• Metoclopramide 10 mg (the European Medicines Agency restricts dosing to 10 mg [up to three times daily])

 Or (where these are contraindicated):

  • Paracetamol 1000 mg^a

 Or (possibly benefiting from the different mechanisms of action):

  • Combinations of paracetamol with acetylsalicylic acid or ibuprofen

 Ibuprofen 200–400 mg according to age and weight

• Domperidone (dosage according to age and weight)