ABPN Psychiatry and Neurology Exam 2025 – Complete Practice Test Prep

Naratriptan is the preferred choice for the acute treatment of migraine headaches among the options provided. It belongs to a class of medications known as triptans, which are specifically designed to treat migraine symptoms by acting on serotonin receptors in the brain. This mechanism helps to alleviate the headache by causing vasoconstriction of cerebral blood vessels, reducing inflammation, and decreasing the transmission of pain.

In contrast, the other agents listed do not primarily serve as first-line treatments for acute migraine attacks. Divalproex sodium is primarily used as a mood stabilizer and for the prevention of migraines rather than for acute intervention. Topiramate is also more effective as a preventative treatment rather than for immediate relief of migraine symptoms. Desipramine, primarily an antidepressant, is not indicated for the acute management of migraines either. Thus, naratriptan stands out as the most effective and appropriate choice for addressing an ongoing migraine episode.