If you’ve ever suffered from migraines, you know they can knock you for a loop. For people who are pregnant or planning to be, the question of whether migraine meds are safe is enough to make your head spin. Well, some good news just landed: a large Norwegian study suggests that using common migraine drugs called triptans before or during pregnancy doesn’t raise the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in kids. Let’s break it down.
What Did the Study Find?
Researchers from Norway dug into health records from over 26,000 pregnancies where the parent had migraines at the start. They looked at:
- Who used triptans (like sumatriptan or rizatriptan) before or during pregnancy
- How often these medications were used
- Diagnoses of neurodevelopmental disorders in the children, including:
- Autism spectrum disorder
- ADHD
- Learning disabilities
- Speech or language disorders
The children were followed for an average of eight years, some as long as 14 years. Here’s what stood out:
- About 4.3 percent of the children were diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder.
- The rates were pretty much the same whether the parent used triptans or not.
- After adjusting for other factors (like other medications, parental health, and more), there was no sign that triptan use increased the risk.
Why Does This Matter?
For years, doctors and parents have been stuck between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, untreated migraines can be miserable and even dangerous during pregnancy. On the other, there’s always been a cloud of uncertainty about whether migraine meds might harm a developing baby’s brain. This new research, published in the journal Neurology, is a breath of fresh air for anyone caught in that bind.
What Are Triptans, Anyway?
Triptans are a common go-to for treating migraines. They work by narrowing blood vessels in the brain and blocking pain pathways. You might recognize names like:
- Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
- Rizatriptan (Maxalt)
- Zolmitriptan (Zomig)
They’re usually prescribed for folks who don’t get relief from over-the-counter painkillers.
What Do Other Experts Say?
The findings line up with previous research, including studies reviewed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the U.S. National Institutes of Health. Most experts agree that, while it’s always wise to consult your healthcare provider, triptans don’t appear to pose a big risk for neurodevelopmental issues when used as prescribed.
Still, the study had a few wrinkles:
- It tracked prescription fills, not whether the meds were actually taken.
- It couldn’t account for every possible factor, like genetics or environmental exposures.
Key Takeaways for Parents
If you’re dealing with migraines and thinking about pregnancy, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Don’t stop or start any medication without talking to your doctor.
- Managing migraines is important for your health and your baby’s.
- This study adds to the growing evidence that triptans are likely safe for neurodevelopment, but every situation is unique.
As the saying goes, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. But at least now, there’s a little less reason to lose sleep over migraine meds and pregnancy.
If you’ve got questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to chat with your healthcare team. After all, we’re all just trying to keep our heads on straight, literally and figuratively!
Citations:
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology. (2025, May 21). Migraine drugs during pregnancy not linked to neurodevelopmental disorders in children. ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250521161104.htm
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2022, December). Management of migraine during pregnancy. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2022/12/management-of-migraine-during-pregnancy
- National Institutes of Health. (n.d.). Migraine medications and pregnancy. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/migraine/conditioninfo/treatment
- Neurology. (2025). Migraine drugs during pregnancy and risk of neurodevelopmental disorders in children. https://n.neurology.org/
