Show Many headache sufferers reach for over-the-counter ibuprofen (like Advil or Motrin) or acetaminophen (aka Tylenol) or Excedrin Migraine when they develop a headache. Sometimes that will be enough to reduce or eliminate the headache pain, but often it either doesn’t work or only helps temporarily. After a few hours, the headache will return, and to be able to function at home and at work, headache sufferers will reach for additional doses throughout the day. For people with frequent or chronic headaches this can add up to a whole lot of over-the-counter painkillers. Because over-the-counter medications don’t require a prescription they may seem harmless, but in fact taking these pills too frequently can cause real health problems. The first problem with taking ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) is that these medications can erode the lining of your stomach and cause internal bleeding, and over time they can cause liver and kidney damage as well and pose potential cardiovascular risks. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can cause liver damage, both over time and quickly (especially if combined with alcohol). A new OTC painkiller, Advil Dual-Action, contains both ibuprofen and acetaminophen, which may make it more effective for occasional use but also means more negative side effects if taken too often. In the case of Excedrin Migraine you are taking not only acetaminophen but also aspirin (which can cause stomach bleeding in a similar way to Advil) and caffeine. Both caffeine and over-the-counter painkillers taken in excess cause Medication Overuse Headaches. Medication Overuse Headaches will eventually transform Episodic migraines (defined as 14 or fewer headaches per month) to Chronic migraines (15 or more headaches per month). Medication Overuse headaches are among the most difficult headaches to treat. Get Migraine Treatment At Home Nurx offers prescription treatment for migraines for as little as $0 with insurance or $25 per month without insurance. If you experience migraine headaches more than occasionally, you are better off treating them with a prescription medication, which will treat them more effectively and pose fewer risks than frequent use of OTC medications. By using medications developed specifically to treat migraines (triptans like Imitrex and gepants like Nurtec), the headaches will usually go away and stay away, and there are fewer potential side effects from triptans and gepants than from Excedrin and Advil. While triptans can cause Medication Overuse headaches if taken too often, they are needed less often because the headaches respond better to triptans than the over the counter medications. And, gepants do not have any potential to cause Medication Overuse Headaches. The bottom line? Even if you think you can manage your headaches with over-the-counter painkillers, you’ll likely be better off both in terms of headache relief and overall health by consulting with a healthcare provider to get prescription medication. Migraine headaches are among the symptoms of a condition called migraine. Some medications can ease the pain and symptoms of a migraine headache. Others can help prevent the headaches. Talk to your doctor about which ones are right for you. You take these
drugs at the first sign of a migraine attack. They’re called "abortive" drugs. They prevent common symptoms like pain, nausea, and sound and light sensitivity. Some of these should not be used during a migraine with aura, so follow your doctor's instructions. Stomach upset or bleeding May raise risk of heart attack or stroke Aleve, Imitrex injection, oral, intranasal Onzetra inhaled, Tosymra nasal spray
Lasmidtan Dizziness Sleepiness Numbness Feeling tired Tingling CGRP Antagonists Constipation Nausea Upper respiratory infection yes Nausea UTI Allergic reaction Drowsiness Nausea Dry mouth Many people who have migraines often have nausea and vomiting along with head pain. Those symptoms usually get better when you treat the migraine. But sometimes, the
nausea and vomiting are bad enough to keep a person from taking their migraine medications. In these cases, a nausea drug can ease your symptoms so you can get the treatment you need. Most nausea medicines come in pill form, but if
the problem is severe, you can take them as a rectal suppository. Generic Name Examples of Brand Names Possible Side Effects promethazine hydrochloride (tablet, syrup, injection, or suppository) Phenergan Confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, upset stomach, excitability, nightmares, uncontrollable muscle movements, lip smacking or chewing movements chlorpromazine (suppository) Thorazine Confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, upset stomach, excitability, nightmares, uncontrollable muscle movements, lip smacking or chewing movements prochlorperazine (tablet and suppository) Compazine Confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, upset stomach, excitability, nightmares, uncontrollable muscle movements, lip smacking or chewing movements Trimetho-benzamide hydrochloride (capsule, injection, syrup, or suppository) Tigan Low blood pressure, blurred vision, drowsiness, dizziness, feeling disoriented, uncontrollable muscle movements, lip smacking or chewing movements metoclopramide hydrochloride (syrup, tablet, or injection) Reglan Uncontrollable muscle movements, lip smacking or chewing movements, sensitivity to sunlight, aching in the lower legs, diarrhea If you have 4 or more migraine days each month, you may take these drugs regularly to keep migraine attacks from happening. They lessen the number of headaches you have and how severe they are. You have to follow your doctor’s directions for them to work. Your doctor may need to change the medications and adjust how much you take to figure out what works best for you. While
you’re taking these drugs, write down how often you have headaches and how bad they are to help your doctor judge how well they are working. Most need days or weeks to take full effect. Once your headaches are under control for 6 months or a year, you might be able to taper off or stop these drugs. Your doctor will advise you. The medications listed include both over-the-counter and prescription drugs. They aren't habit-forming, but any medication can have side effects. Your doctor
will adjust the dosage to give you the most relief with the fewest side effects. diclofenac Cataflam generics available Stomach upset Advil Stomach upset or bleeding Aleve Naprosyn Stomach upset or bleeding generics available venlafaxine duloxetine Effexor Cymbalta generics available Tenormin Lopressor, Toprol XL Corgard Inderal eptinezumab Stuffy nose erenumab Warning: You should not take triptans with SSRI or SNRI antidepressants. You may get a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. Check all your medications with your doctor. Which painkiller is best for migraine?NSAIDS — or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — are the first line of treatment when it comes to migraines. These include ibuprofen, which is known by the brand names of Motrin and Advil; and naproxen, which is known as Aleve.
Is Advil good for migraine?Yes, Advil Migraine is clinically proven to relieve migraine pain and related symptoms, including nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
What gets rid of migraines fast?Warm showers or baths may have a similar effect. Sip a caffeinated drink. In small amounts, caffeine alone can relieve migraine pain in the early stages. Caffeine also may enhance the pain-reducing effects of acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and aspirin.
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