Q. After my migraines began flaring up weekly, I started taking riboflavin (vitamin B2) daily. Ten weeks into this regimen, I have only had two really bad headaches.
I still have Maxalt as a backup, but I haven’t needed to take it in a few months. The only side effect I’ve had from the B2 is bright yellow urine. Compared to the migraines, I’ll take it!
A. Riboflavin has been used as a way of preventing migraines for many years (Neurology, Feb., 1998). A review of research suggests that it may work even better in combination with Coenzyme Q10 (Headache, Oct., 2012). A German product containing magnesium along with riboflavin and CoQ10 improved migraine symptoms compared with placebo (Journal of Headache Pain, online Apr. 3, 2015).
Side Effects of Riboflavin:
While riboflavin will turn urine almost fluorescent yellow, other side effects are rare.
Vera P. observed:
“Since I started taking one Super B-complex pill once a day, I no longer get migraine headaches. I have been taking them for about five years.”
We discuss the use of riboflavin, feverfew, Coenzyme Q10, magnesium and other nondrug approaches to migraine prevention in our Guide to Headaches and Migraines.
We recently heard from a person who uses a spoonful of yellow mustard to stop her ice pick headaches. Many other migraine sufferers have written to tell us that inducing brain freeze (whether with ice cream or ice water) can stop a migraine cold. Here is one testimonial from Tammy:
“I just read this article after having been up since 4 am with a migraine. The vomiting passed but still I had the residual killer headache. I read this and ate an ice cream bar, and the headache has definitely lessened. I think the next time I’ll try plain ice earlier in the ordeal.”
