Recurrent migraine: cost-effective care.

The cost of untreated or ineffectively treated migraine is staggering. A case study is presented that demonstrates the importance of developing an individually tailored home treatment program for migraine patients aimed at keeping them out of healthcare facilities on an acute basis. Treatment programs should include preventive medications if attacks occur more than twice per month, as well as appropriate abortive and symptomatic agents in the event of a severe, acute migraine attack. New agents and treatment modalities are making acute treatment more cost-effective and making it less likely that unnecessary time be spent seeking medical help at the time of an attack.