Some Migraine Medications May Constrict Coronary Arteries

Researchers in the Netherlands found that several commonly used migraine medications can cause the coronary arteries—the vessels that supply blood to the heart—to contract. For individuals with underlying heart disease, this narrowing could potentially contribute to chest pain or even increase the risk of a heart attack.

The study, published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association (July 7, 1998), examined coronary arteries obtained from organ donors. Investigators measured how well the arteries contracted and relaxed, then exposed them to various migraine medications.

Both older medications such as:

  • ergotamine

  • dihydroergotamine

  • methysergide

  • methylergometrine

and newer “triptan” drugs including:

  • sumatriptan

  • naratriptan

  • zolmitriptan

  • rizatriptan

were tested.

These drugs relieve migraine pain by constricting blood vessels in the head. However, the research showed they also constrict coronary arteries, which may pose risks for those with cardiovascular disease.