Headache Medicine: What Should You Take?
Medicines can help you manage, prevent, or end headache pain. There are many different treatment options available. Some medicines relieve headache pain, while others target underlying conditions that are causing headaches. Therapies can also prevent headaches from happening as often, or reduce their severity.
Best medicine for headaches
Doctors haven't yet reached an agreement about the best medicine for headache. It can take time and trial and error to figure out if medicine will help you and which treatment works best. Be aware that treatments can affect each person differently.
If you need headache relief, trying an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine is usually the first step. Aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and naproxen sodium are different options you can try. Scientists are also studying how cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may help manage certain kinds of headaches. However, your headaches could be caused by another health condition that needs treatment.
It's important not to overuse headache medications, as it can lead to new or worse symptoms. Your doctor can help you understand different headache treatments and how to use them safely.
Drugs for relief of headache symptoms include:
| Generic Name | Brand Name | Use | Precautions | Possible Side Effects |
| Acetaminophen | Panadol, Tylenol | Pain relief; headache treatment | Few side effects if taken as directed, although they may include changes in blood counts and liver damage | |
| Aspirin | Bayer, Bufferin | Pain relief; headache treatment | Do not use in children younger than 19 years due to the potential for Reye's syndrome (a life-threatening neurological condition) | Heartburn, gastrointestinal bleeding, bronchospasm or constriction that causes narrowing of the airways, anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reaction) and ulcers |
| Celecoxib | Celebrex, Elyxyb | Pain relief; headache treatment | Gas, bloating, constipation, dizziness, sore throat, cold-like symptoms, problems with taste (dysgeusia) | |
| Fenoprofen | Nalfon | Prevention of tension headaches, migraines , and hormone headaches | Nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, dizziness, drowsiness | |
| Flurbiprofen | Ocufen | Prevention of tension headaches and migraines. Treatment of tension headaches and migraines | Gastrointestinal upset, drowsiness, dizziness, vision problems, ulcers | |
| Ibuprofen | Advil, Motrin IB | Treatment of tension headache s and migraines | Gastrointestinal upset, gastrointestinal bleeding, nausea, vomiting, rash, liver damage | |
| Ketoprofen | Actron | Prevention of tension headaches and migraines. Treatment of migraines | Gastrointestinal upset, gastrointestinal bleeding, nausea, vomiting, rash, liver damage | |
| Nabumetone | Prevention of tension headaches and migraines | Constipation, heartburn, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting | ||
| Naproxen | Aleve | Prevention of tension headaches and hormone headaches. Treatment of migraines | Gastrointestinal upset, gastrointestinal bleeding, nausea, vomiting, rash, liver damage | |
| Diclofenac | Cambia, Cataflam, Zipsor, Zorvolex | Treatment of tension headache and migraines | Stomach upset, bloating, dizziness, drowsiness, loss of appetite | |
| Ketorolac | Treatment of tension headache | Gastrointestinal upset, drowsiness, dizziness, vision problems, ulcers | ||
| Meclofenamate | Treatment of tension headache | Nausea, diarrhea, indigestion, dizziness, drowsiness | ||
| Carisoprodol | Soma | Treatment of tension headache | Dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, headache, nervousness, skin rash, bleeding | |
| Orphenadrine citrate | Treatment of tension headache | Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nervousness, blurred vision | ||
| Methocarbamol | Robaxin | Treatment of tension headache | Dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, darkening of urine | |
| Cyclobenzaprine HCL | Amrix | Treatment of tension headache | Dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness | |
| Metaxalone | Skelaxin | Treatment of tension headache | Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, nervousness |
Medicine for Headaches
There are many different types of headaches. The medication that works for you will depend on what type of headache you have and the severity. Headache medicine options include OTC and prescription medications.
OTC medicine for headaches
Drugs available over the counter can often relieve headache symptoms. Here are the most common ones:
- acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Aspirin
- ibuprofen (Advil/Motrin)
- naproxen sodium (Aleve)
Prescription medicine for headaches
If your headaches happen often or involve severe symptoms, then over-the-counter medicines might not work. Your doctor may try to identify what's causing your headaches and prescribe medication, such as:
celecoxib (Celebrex)
fenoprofen (Nalfon)
flurbiprofen (Ansaid)
nabumetone (Relafen)
diclofenac (Voltaren)
ketorolac (Toradol)
ketoprofen (at lower doses)
Sinus Headache Medicines
If you have a sinus headache, you might feel pain and pressure in your forehead, the area behind your eyes, your cheekbones, or along the bridge of your nose. Sinus headaches are often caused by viral sinus infections, also called sinusitis. Bacteria, fungi, and allergies can also be triggers.
Sinus headache pain relief
A sinus infection can lead to pressure and inflammation in your sinuses, making your face feel tender and painful. OTC pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), may help ease pain caused by sinus pressure and inflammation.
Decongestants for sinus headache
You may feel like you have a bad stuffy nose. That’s because sinus infections make the blood vessels in your nose and face swell, causing sinus congestion. OTC decongestants, such as Sudafed and nasal sprays, are medicines that narrow the blood vessels. This brings down swelling and can ease congestion.
Antihistamines for sinus headache
Antihistamines are medicines that help prevent allergy symptoms. They work by blocking histamine, a chemical released by your immune system. Antihistamines may help ease sinus infection symptoms, such as mucus buildup and swelling in the sinuses, especially if allergies are causing your infection or headache. Antihistamines such as Claritin (loratadine) and Xyzal (levocetirizine) are available over the counter.
Corticosteroid nasal sprays
These medicines are steroids that help reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. Using them can relieve symptoms such as swelling and mucus buildup in your nose.
Several corticosteroid nasal sprays are available over the counter, but you'll need a prescription for some brands. Their effects are similar, but prescription sprays may be stronger or target different combinations of symptoms. Your doctor or an allergist can help figure out which option is best for your sinus headache.
Some OTC options are: Flonase (fluticasone), Nasacort AQ (nasal triamcinolone), and Rhinocort AQUA (budesonide). These nasal sprays help treat symptoms such as inflammation, congestion, sneezing, and runny nose. Prescription nasal sprays can include a mix of a nasal steroid and an antihistamine. One example is Dymista (azelastine; fluticasone).
Tips for Using Over-the-Counter Headache Pain Relievers
OTC pain relievers have been shown to be safe when used as directed. But keep the following precautions in mind:
- Know the active ingredients in each product. Be sure to read the entire label.
- Do not exceed the recommended dosage on the package.
- Carefully consider how you use pain relievers and all medications. It is easy to overmedicate yourself.
- Check with your doctor before taking acetaminophen if you have kidney or liver problems.
- Check with your doctor before taking products containing aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) if you are taking any other blood thinners or have any of these conditions — bleeding problems, asthma, recent or upcoming surgery (including dental procedures), ulcers, or kidney or liver disorders.
Takeaways
Headache pain can have different causes, such as sinus infections, allergies, or underlying health conditions. Many different headache medicines are available over the counter or with a prescription. The best medicine for headache pain may depend on what's causing your symptoms.
Headache Medicine FAQs
How do over-the-counter medicines for headaches work?
OTC medicines for headaches work in different ways. Some target pain or relieve sinus infections or allergies that cause headaches.
How does one manage headaches during pregnancy?
Most headaches during pregnancy are normal tension headaches or migraines. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is safe for most pregnant people to take once in a while. Some headaches during pregnancy can be more serious. Call your doctor if you experience red flags, such as sudden headaches, confusion, weakness in your limbs, seeing double, or vomiting.
What are the most common side effects of headache medications?
OTC headache medicines may cause an upset stomach or heartburn. Long-term use of some OTC or prescription migraine medicines can cause overuse headaches.
Which food items can trigger headaches?
There's very little scientific evidence about specific foods causing headaches. But some people with migraine say that certain foods and beverages trigger their headaches, including alcohol (especially red wine), aspartame sweetener, caffeine, chocolate, cheese and yogurt, and processed meats.
