Migraine treatment aims to stop an attack early and ease the pain, nausea and sensitivity to light that come with it. When simple painkillers are not enough, prescription migraine tablets taken at the start of an attack can give better migraine relief. With Global Health, adults in Portugal with a previous migraine diagnosis can request treatment online. You complete a secure questionnaire, a licensed doctor reviews your answers, and if treatment is clinically suitable the doctor issues an electronic prescription that you receive in your Global Health account and can use at any pharmacy in Portugal. If it is not suitable, the doctor explains why and suggests what to do next.
What is included
- A review of your medical questionnaire by a licensed doctor
- A prescription for acute migraine tablets and, where needed, anti-sickness medication, if clinically suitable
- An electronic prescription in your Global Health account, which you can use at any pharmacy in Portugal
- Written advice on when to take the treatment and how to avoid medication-overuse headache
- Secure messaging with the doctor about your request
The request fee covers the doctor's review. The medication is paid for separately at the pharmacy.
Who this service is not suitable for
This service is for adults with migraine already diagnosed by a doctor. Our doctors cannot safely prescribe migraine treatment online if you:
- are under 18
- have never been diagnosed with migraine, or your headaches are new, different or more frequent than usual
- are over 50 and having migraine for the first time
- have aura that lasts more than an hour, or weakness on one side of the body during attacks
- have heart disease, have had a stroke or mini-stroke, have circulation problems, or have high blood pressure that is not controlled
- are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding
- take certain antidepressants or other medicines that affect serotonin, unless your doctor has checked they are safe together
If any of these apply, please book a video consultation with a GP so a doctor can assess you properly.
How it works
- Complete the questionnaire. Answer questions about your migraines, how often they happen, what you have tried and any other medication you take. It takes about five minutes.
- Doctor review. A licensed doctor reviews your answers against clinical guidance and may message you if more information is needed.
- Prescription issued. If treatment is suitable, the doctor issues an electronic prescription that you receive in your Global Health account and can take to any pharmacy in Portugal.
What is migraine?
Migraine is a common condition of the brain and nerves that causes repeated attacks of moderate to severe headache, often a throbbing pain on one side of the head. Attacks usually last from a few hours to up to three days and can come with nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light, sound or smells. Many people need to lie down in a dark, quiet room until it passes. Migraine is more common in women and often runs in families.
Migraine with and without aura
Most people have migraine without aura. About one in three have aura, a warning phase before the headache, such as flashing lights, zigzag lines, blind spots or tingling. Aura usually develops over a few minutes and lasts less than an hour.
Common triggers
Triggers vary from person to person. They include stress, poor or irregular sleep, skipped meals, dehydration, alcohol, hormonal changes around periods, bright lights and strong smells. A headache diary can help you spot your own pattern.
Migraine treatment options
Acute treatment is most effective when taken as early as possible in an attack, ideally as soon as the headache starts.
- Simple painkillers from a pharmacy help many people with mild attacks.
- Prescription migraine tablets act on the blood vessels and pain pathways involved in migraine. They are taken when the headache begins (not during aura) and a second dose can sometimes be taken if the migraine returns. Your doctor will explain the maximum dose.
- Anti-sickness medication helps with nausea and vomiting and can help other treatment absorb better.
If you have migraines on several days a month or they affect your work and daily life, preventive treatment taken every day may help reduce how often attacks happen. Prevention should be discussed with your own family doctor, who can review your history and follow you up.
Medication-overuse headache
Taking painkillers on 15 or more days a month, or migraine tablets on 10 or more days a month, can cause frequent daily headaches called medication-overuse headache. If you are reaching for treatment this often, see your family doctor rather than requesting more tablets.
Self-care
Regular sleep, regular meals, staying hydrated, limiting alcohol and caffeine, and managing stress can all reduce attacks. Resting in a dark, quiet room and using a cold compress can help during an attack.
Side effects and safety
Prescription migraine tablets can cause tiredness, dizziness, a warm or flushed feeling, and tightness or heaviness in the chest, throat or limbs. These effects are usually mild and short-lived. Stop the medication and call 112 if you have severe chest pain or pain that does not settle. Do not take more than the maximum dose in 24 hours, and tell the doctor about all other medicines you take.
Some headaches need emergency care. Call 112 if you have a sudden, severe headache that peaks within seconds (a thunderclap headache), a headache with fever and a stiff neck or rash, confusion, slurred speech, weakness, loss of vision, a seizure, or a headache after a head injury.
When to see a doctor in person
See your family doctor if your headaches change in pattern or become more frequent, you need treatment on more than a few days a month, your migraines do not respond to treatment, or you would like to discuss prevention. For non-urgent advice you can call SNS 24 on 808 24 24 24. You can also meet our doctors or see all online prescription services.