Which of the following is an abortive therapy for migraines?

• A. Sumatriptan
• B. Amoxicillin
• C. Lisinopril
• D. Metoprolol

Answer: (A)

Abortive therapy is about treating a migraine during an attack to stop or reduce symptoms quickly. Sumatriptan fits this role because it’s a triptan that activates 5-HT1B/1D receptors on cranial blood vessels and trigeminal pathways. This causes vasoconstriction of dilated meningeal vessels and inhibits the release of inflammatory neuropeptides like CGRP, which together dampen pain signaling and abort the attack when taken at onset.

The other drugs don’t serve this purpose. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic with no role in acute migraine relief. Lisinopril and metoprolol are used mainly for preventive therapy to reduce migraine frequency and severity over time, not for immediate relief during an attack.