What Is the Evidence that Riboflavin Can Be Used for Migraine Prophylaxis?

Individuals with migraine often have recurrent, painful symptoms, and symptomatic treatments have detrimental side effects and do not prevent further attacks. Studies indicate that riboflavin can be used to decrease headache frequency and lessen the need for symptomatic treatment. Mitochondrial dysfunction may play a role in migraine pathogenesis by interfering with oxygen metabolism. Daily doses of riboflavin, vitamin B2, may improve mitochondrial function by increasing the reserve of brain mitochondrial energy, and there are minimal side effects with daily treatment. However, there is a need for further randomized, double-blind controlled studies to determine the effective dose. Although riboflavin may not fully eliminate migraine nor take effect for several months, riboflavin is a promising prophylactic agent with minimal adverse effects that may significantly reduce the frequency of migraine.