Which migraine medication is listed and is effective in treating acute migraine attacks?

• A. Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
• B. Levitra
• C. Metoprolol
• D. Acetaminophen

Answer: (A)

Sumatriptan works for acute migraine because it targets the underlying neurovascular processes driving an attack. As a selective 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist, it helps by constricting dilated cranial blood vessels and blocking the release of CGRP and other inflammatory peptides from the trigeminal nerve. This two-pronged action reduces pain quickly and often relieves accompanying symptoms like nausea and sensitivity to light or sound when taken at the start of an attack. Other drugs listed don’t fit acute treatment as well: Levitra is a PDE-5 inhibitor used for erectile dysfunction and has no role in migraine? treatment; metoprolol is a beta-blocker used for prevention rather than stopping an active attack; acetaminophen can help mild pain but is generally less effective for resolving an acute migraine compared with triptans.