Migraines can be an unbearable pain in the…head! Migraines are often annoying and nagging, but many times they can be completely limiting and debilitating! Treating your migraines does not and should not be an additional stressor to your condition. If electing to utilize over-the-counter (OTC) medications then you have two options to choose from: abortive and preventative. The job of an abortive medication is to stop a headache once it has started. Preventative medications are taken to prevent migraines from starting in the first place. This form of treatment is taken regularly, possibly daily, in order to reduce risks of future migraine episodes. Of these medications, many of the abortive options are available over-the-counter.
Available OTC Options
Regardless of the treatment option you elect to follow, always share changes or new medications with your physician. The following are the most common OTC migraine treatment options available. Keep in mind that these are abortive medications and only intended for use to stop or slow the progress of an attack once it has started.
- Acetaminophen, mostly commonly known as Tylenol, isn’t necessarily supported as migraine treatment, though many utilize this option. Acetaminophen works by blocking the chemicals in the brain that are responsible for inflammation and pain. Tylenol is a safe option, with minimal side effects, but proper usage is essential, as over dosage can be fatal.
- Aspirin has long been a mainstay in the treatment of pain and inflammation. While studies have shown success in treating migraines with aspirin, it may not be the best treatment option. Too much aspirin can cause other health issues and to reach the level of success shown in some of these studies would require consuming higher dosages than the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) recommends. Using from time-to-time is fine, but other OTC options are better.
- Caffeine-Containing Medication, such as Excedrin, contains a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. The use of caffeine simply helps to speed up the rate at which the medication is absorbed. The only documented side effects are upset stomach and dizziness.
- Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are the most commonly used OTC treatment for migraines. Similar to aspirin, NSAIDs work to block the work of chemicals in the brain involved in inflammation. The most frequently used NSAIDs are Ibuprofen and Naproxen.
Tags: Acetaminophen (a.k.a. Tylenol), migraine pain, migraine relief, Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), over the counter medication, treating migraines
Leave A Reply (No comments so far)
You must be logged in to post a comment.
No comments yet