Patients should consult their physicians before taking any additional prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, nutritional supplements or herbal medications.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006 warned that a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome may result when triptans are used with certain antidepressants. The condition involves excessive amounts of the brain chemical serotonin.  However, research indicates that this very rarely occurs.

Other drugs that may interact poorly with headache medications include:

• Antacids
• Anticoagulants
• Anticonvulsants
• Blood pressure medications (antihypertensives), including beta blockers and diuretics
• Corticosteroids
• Medications for gout or other forms of arthritis

• Medications for diabetes
• Acetazolamide
• Cyclosporine
• Digoxin
• Lithium
• Methotrexate (an antimetabolite)
• Nizatidine
• Phenothiazine
• Probenecid

Patients should not combine the use of various headache medications. Consumption of alcohol – even in moderate amounts – while using certain headache medications can substantially increase the risk of liver damage, bleeding from gastrointestinal ulcers  and damage to the brain. Alcohol use activates a process that turns acetaminophen into chemicals that cause liver damage. Use of caffeine may increase the effect of some headache medications.