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Riboflavin (B2) and Migraine: What Trials and Guidelines Say

What trials and neurology guidelines say about high-amount riboflavin (vitamin B2) for preventing migraine in adults and children, with study amounts and safety notes.

Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.

Get urgent help first for warning signs

Most headaches are not dangerous, but some need emergency care. The NHS (UK) lists these warning signs for a headache or migraine: it came on suddenly and is extremely painful; problems speaking or remembering; loss of vision or double vision; drowsiness or confusion; a seizure; weakness on one side of the body or face; a very high temperature with signs of meningitis; or a recent head injury. [1] In the US, call 911. The NHS also advises urgent advice if a migraine lasts more than 72 hours, aura lasts more than an hour, or you are pregnant or just had a baby. [1] A supplement is not a substitute for finding out what is causing new or changing headaches.

The short answer

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) at amounts far above what food provides has been tested to prevent migraine attacks in adults. Some trials and a US guideline lean positive, with limits. Trials in children have mostly not shown a benefit. The NHS lists vitamin B2 among the treatments that may be used to prevent migraine. [1]

Riboflavin in everyday terms

Riboflavin helps release energy from carbohydrates, proteins and fats and helps make red blood cells. [2] Milk, eggs, mushrooms, plain yogurt and fortified cereals are good sources, and light can destroy riboflavin, so these foods are best kept out of direct sunlight. [3] See the riboflavin profile.

What research found

QuestionWhat the source foundStrength of evidence
Does 400 mg a day prevent migraine in adults?A 1998 randomized trial of 55 people compared 400 mg riboflavin with placebo for 3 months. Attack frequency and headache days fell more with riboflavin. 59% were "responders" (at least 50% fewer headache days) versus 15% on placebo. [4]Promising but limited: one small trial
Many trials pooledA 2022 meta-analysis of nine studies (673 people) concluded 400 mg a day for three months reduced migraine days, duration, frequency and pain score. The results varied widely between studies (statistical heterogeneity up to 89%). [5]Promising but limited; mixed between trials
Dose-response review of supplementsA 2025 review of 22 trials found riboflavin lowered attack frequency (mean difference -1.34 attacks). [6]Promising but limited
US neurology guidelineThe American Academy of Neurology and American Headache Society (2012) classed riboflavin among treatments that are "probably effective" for migraine prevention (Level B). [7]Guideline, based on trials up to 2009
ChildrenA 2008 trial of 200 mg a day in 48 children found no difference from placebo. [8] A 2010 crossover trial of 50 mg a day in 42 children aged 6 to 13 found no effect on migraine frequency. [9] A 2024 network meta-analysis noted a possible benefit but said results came from individual studies and more are needed. [10]Mixed; mostly no benefit
Combined with magnesium and CoQ10 in one productA trial of 130 adults found migraine days fell from 6.2 to 4.4 on the combined supplement and to 5.2 on placebo, not a significant difference for migraine days (p = 0.23). [11]Insufficient evidence for the combination
PregnancyA retrospective review of 203 pregnant patients found improvement with magnesium oxide alone and with magnesium oxide plus riboflavin, and was not designed to show what riboflavin added. [12]Insufficient evidence

The 2019 American Academy of Neurology update for children says most randomized trials of preventive medicines in pediatric migraine fail to show superiority over placebo. [13]

Related

Riboflavin profile · The eight B vitamins · Acupuncture for headache and migraine · All vitamins

Frequently asked questions

Does riboflavin prevent migraines?

Adult trials suggest it may reduce attacks at 400 mg a day over about three months, but the evidence is limited and varies between studies. [4] [5] A US guideline rated it "probably effective". [7]

Does it work for children?

Two small placebo-controlled trials in children found no clear benefit on migraine attacks. [8] [9]

Is 400 mg of riboflavin safe?

It is far above the daily recommended intake. The 1998 trial reported minor side effects such as diarrhea and frequent urination. [4] The NHS's UK advice for supplements is 40 mg a day or less. [3] Ask a clinician or pharmacist before using it.

Can I use riboflavin if I am pregnant?

Proper evidence not found beyond one retrospective study. [12] Talk to your midwife or doctor.

Is riboflavin the same as a migraine medicine?

No. The NHS lists medicines, acupuncture, relaxation techniques, CBT and vitamin B2 as separate prevention approaches, and a clinician helps choose among them. [1]

More details: evidence, limits and cautions

The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.

How to read the evidence labels

Labels used on this page: promising but limited, mixed, insufficient evidence. All amounts in this page are study amounts, not advice. Which treatment suits you is a decision for you and your clinician.

Limits and uncertainty
  • Most trials were small and short (about 3 months). Reviews note large differences between studies. [5]
  • Study amounts are much higher than usual intakes. The US Recommended Dietary Allowance for riboflavin is 1.3 mg a day for men and 1.1 mg for women aged 19 and over. [2] The NHS (UK) says about 1.3 mg for men and 1.1 mg for women aged 19 to 64. [3] Health Canada's table lists the same RDA values for adults aged 19 to 50. [14]
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding RDAs are 1.4 mg and 1.6 mg a day in the US table. [2]
  • The adult guideline analyzed studies published from 1999 to 2009, so later trials are not included in it. [7]
Safety
  • Reported side effects: in the 1998 trial, three minor events occurred: diarrhea and polyuria (frequent urination) on riboflavin, abdominal cramps on placebo. None were serious. [4]
  • Upper limits: MedlinePlus says there is no known poisoning from riboflavin. [2] EFSA (EU, 2006) did not set an upper limit, saying the data on adverse effects from high oral riboflavin intake are not sufficient for a risk assessment. [15] It noted that the 400 mg migraine studies relied on self-reported side effects and did not adequately assess measures such as liver or kidney function. [15] Health Canada also lists no upper limit. [14] Not setting a limit is not proof of safety at any amount.
  • UK advice: the NHS says 40 mg or less a day of riboflavin supplements is unlikely to cause harm and that there is not enough evidence to know the effects of higher doses. [3] The 400 mg used in trials is ten times that figure, so decisions about it belong with a clinician.
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding: the one pregnancy study we found was retrospective. [12] Discuss any supplement with your midwife or doctor: pregnancy and breastfeeding safety.
  • Children: trials found no clear benefit, so talk to a pediatrician before giving high-amount riboflavin. See children and teens.
  • Kidney or liver disease, other medicines, surgery: Proper evidence not found in the sources read for riboflavin-specific advice. Tell your clinician or pharmacist about every supplement. See medication interactions.
  • Quality: high-amount products vary; see quality testing and certifications.

Please do not stop or change a prescribed migraine medicine because of anything you read here. The NHS also says painkillers taken for more than 2 days a week can cause more headaches. [1]

References
  1. NHS (UK). Migraine. Page last reviewed 10 March 2026. Read 2026-10-23.
  2. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (US National Library of Medicine). Riboflavin. Review date 1/21/2025. Read 2026-10-23.
  3. NHS (UK). Vitamins and minerals: B vitamins and folic acid. Page last reviewed 3 August 2020. Read 2026-10-23.
  4. Schoenen J, Jacquy J, Lenaerts M. Effectiveness of high-dose riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized controlled trial. Neurology 1998;50(2):466-70. PMID 9484373. Read 2026-10-23.
  5. Chen YS, et al. Effect of Vitamin B2 supplementation on migraine prophylaxis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Neurosci 2022;25(9):1801-12. PMID 33779525. Read 2026-10-23.
  6. Talandashti MK, et al. Effects of selected dietary supplements on migraine prophylaxis: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Neurol Sci 2025;46(2):651-70. PMID 39404918. Read 2026-10-23.
  7. Holland S, et al. Evidence-based guideline update: NSAIDs and other complementary treatments for episodic migraine prevention in adults (AAN and American Headache Society). Neurology 2012;78(17):1346-53. PMID 22529203. Read 2026-10-23.
  8. MacLennan SC, et al. High-dose riboflavin for migraine prophylaxis in children: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. J Child Neurol 2008;23(11):1300-4. PMID 18984840. Read 2026-10-23.
  9. Bruijn J, et al. Medium-dose riboflavin as a prophylactic agent in children with migraine: a preliminary placebo-controlled, randomised, double-blind, cross-over trial. Cephalalgia 2010;30(12):1426-34. PMID 20974610. Read 2026-10-23.
  10. Kohandel Gargari O, et al. Preventive medications in pediatric migraine: a network meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open 2024;7(10):e2438666. PMID 39388181. Read 2026-10-23.
  11. Gaul C, Diener HC, Danesch U. Improvement of migraine symptoms with a proprietary supplement containing riboflavin, magnesium and Q10: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicenter trial. J Headache Pain 2015;16:516. PMID 25916335. Read 2026-10-23.
  12. Mazza GR, et al. Assessing the efficacy of magnesium oxide and riboflavin as preventative treatment of migraines in pregnancy. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2023;308(6):1749-54. PMID 36495328. Read 2026-10-23.
  13. Oskoui M, et al. Practice guideline update summary: pharmacologic treatment for pediatric migraine prevention (AAN and American Headache Society). Neurology 2019;93(11):500-9. PMID 31413170. Read 2026-10-23.
  14. Health Canada. Dietary reference intakes tables: Reference values for vitamins. Page dated 2025-11-19. Read 2026-10-23 through a web-fetch tool.
  15. European Food Safety Authority. Tolerable Upper Intake Levels for Vitamins and Minerals, February 2006 (Scientific Committee on Food opinions: vitamin B6 expressed 19 October 2000; niacin 17 April 2002). Read 2026-10-23.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.