Evidence supporting the use of: Methylxanthine
For the health condition: Migraine

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Methylxanthines, a class of compounds that includes caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine, have a documented role in the management of migraines, with caffeine being the most relevant methylxanthine for this indication. Caffeine is commonly included as an adjuvant in several over-the-counter and prescription migraine medications (e.g., combinations with acetaminophen or aspirin). Its use is supported by moderate scientific evidence, primarily due to its vasoconstrictive properties and ability to enhance the absorption and efficacy of analgesics. Clinical studies have shown that caffeine can improve headache relief compared to analgesics alone, especially in acute settings. Caffeine's mechanism involves antagonism of adenosine receptors, which may contribute to both its therapeutic and adverse effects in migraine management. However, the evidence does not support the use of other methylxanthines (such as theophylline or theobromine) for migraine treatment, and their role is not established in clinical practice. Chronic or excessive use of caffeine can also lead to medication-overuse headaches or withdrawal headaches, which limits its utility. Overall, while caffeine (a methylxanthine) has a validated, albeit adjunctive, role in migraine treatment, the strength of evidence is moderate, and recommendations are specific to caffeine, not the entire methylxanthine class.

More about Methylxanthine
More about Migraine

Other ingredients used for Migraine

1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Albizia
Almond fruit
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
apple cider vinegar
ashwagandha
atractylodes
atractylone
Baikal Skullcap
balsam
banyan
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
beta-hydroxybutyrate
betony
Bifidobacteria
Black Hellebore
black seed
black tea
blackboard tree
Blepharis
brahmi
bupleurum falcatum
butterbur
cannabidiol
Carthamus
Chinese salvia root
Chinese silkvine
chrysanthemum
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cola nut
Corydalis
creatine
crocin
curcumin
danshen
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
docosahexaenoic Acid
eicosapentaenoic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
feverfew
Ficus religiosa
Ficus simplicissima
fish
fish oil
flavanones
flavin mononucleotide
folic acid
frankincense
Gelsemium
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginkgolides
Ginkgoside
goldthread
gooseberry
gotu kola
Hellebore
Indian frankincense
iridoids
ketone salts
kuding tea
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
lavender
lemon balm
Lesser speargrass
linalool
little ironweed
luteolin
magnesium
Meadowsweet
Melatonin
Mesua
Methylxanthine
Moringa
Nardostachys
Niacin (vitamin B3)
Night jessamine
omega-3 fatty acids
Osthole
paeoniflorin
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Peppermint
Petasines
Phthalides
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
Polygonum
Puerarin
purple butterbur root
Pycnogenol
Rauvolfia
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Rubiaceae
Rubus
rue
Salmon Oil
Sandalwood
Scabrous Gentian
Sensitive Plant
soursop
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
Spikenard
Swertia
Szechuan lovage
turmeric
ubiquinol
Uncaria
Valerian root
vitamin B6
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Withanolides
Xanthine
Xanthone
Xanthophyll
Yuzu
Zinc
Zingerone

Products containing Methylxanthine

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.