One of the oldest preventive headache medications for migraines is propranolol (Inderal), which belongs to the family of blood pressure medications called beta-blockers. There are newer and better beta-blockers, such as nebivolol (Bystolic), which have fewer side effects than propranolol. We also use other types of blood pressure medications, such as calcium channel blockers (verapamil or Calan, and other) and ACE inhibitors (lisinopril, or Zestril/Prinivil is one example). The newest category of blood pressure medications is ACE receptor blockers (ARBs) which are at least as effective and have fewer side effects than ACE inhibitors. The best scientific evidence (from a single double-blind study) for the efficacy of ARBs in migraines is for candesartan (Atacand).
