ATENOLOL IN EPISODIC MIGRAINE PROPHYLAXIS: A REVIEW

Abstract

Atenolol seems to reduce blood vessel dilation, which is known to contribute to migraine. It reduces electrical activity of nervous system and reduces it excitability. Atenolol is a β1-cardioselective beta-blocker that influences the heart circulation through veins and arteries. Primarily, it is used to treat high blood pressure and heart-related chest pain. It is also used as a supplement subsequent to a heart attack to lower the risk of death. Atenolol has shown efficacy in prevention of migraines and to treat certain irregularities in heartbeats. It can be taken orally or parentally. It reduces the heart rate and workload of cardiac muscles by blocking β1-adrenergic receptors in heart. It restricted blood flow in the brain by reducing blood vessel dilation and helpful in the treatment of migraine. It reduced the electrical activity of nervous system and made it less excitable. It also repressed the waves of electric currents that proved beneficial in the treatment of migraine aura.