Triptans are a category of medications developed in the 1990s to treat migraines. They function as agonists for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors. While triptans are generally effective at alleviating migraines, they don't prevent future episodes or reduce their occurrence.Migraines are thought to result from the widening of blood vessels and the release of pro-inflammatory neuropeptides via nerve endings in the trigeminal nerve system. The effectiveness of triptans in combating migraines is likely due to their action on 5-HT receptors in the intracranial blood vessels and trigeminal nerves, leading to the constriction of cranial vessels and suppression of pro-inflammatory neuropeptide release.The presence or absence of skin sensitivity (allodynia) can predict a migraine sufferer's response to treatment. For most patients without skin sensitivity, triptans are effective regardless of when they are taken. However, for those with skin sensitivity, triptans are most effective if taken early, within 20 minutes of the onset of a migraine.Some examples of triptans include sumatriptan (Imitrex), rizatriptan (Maxalt), naratriptan (Amerge), zolmitriptan (Zomig), eletriptan (Relpax), almotriptan (Axert), and frovatriptan (Frova).
