Headache Tablets
BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), 6 years of experience
What is the meaning of Headache Tablets?
The medications that provide relief from pain due to a headache are known as headache tablets. A headache is a feeling of discomfort or pain in the head, scalp, or neck region.
Pain relievers are usually the first medications prescribed by doctors for migraines and headaches. Many of these medications are available without a prescription (over-the-counter medications), or other headache tablets may require a prescription.
Most headache relieving drugs fall into the category of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs work inside the human body by inhibiting an enzyme that is responsible for the production of certain chemicals. These chemicals cause pain and swelling. Headache medications reduce the production of these chemicals and provide pain relief.
In this article, we will be discussing headache tablets in detail.
- What are the different types of Headaches?
- Why is a Headache Tablet used?
- What are the different types of Headache medications?
- What are the names of different Headache Tablets available?
- When should Headache Tablets not be consumed?
- What are the precautions related to Headache Tablets?
- What are the side effects of Headache Tablets?
- How does a Headache Tablet interact with food and alcohol?
- What are the various drug interactions of Headache Tablets?
- What are the substitutes for Headache tablets?
- Frequently Asked Questions about Headache Tablets
What are the different types of Headaches?
Headaches can be of the following two types:
- Primary headaches: These headaches are not caused by another condition and may include:
- Migraines: It is a neurological (nerve-related) disease that causes a throbbing, pulsing headache usually on one side of the head.
( Know more about- What is Migraine? )
- Cluster headaches: These are severe forms of headache that usually occur on one side of the head.
- Tension headaches: These are the most common types of headaches that cause mild to moderate types of pain around the head, neck, or face.
- New daily persistent headaches: A headache that begins suddenly and then occurs every day over a long time is known as a new daily persistent headache.
- Secondary headaches: These types of headaches occur due to other medical conditions, like a head injury, high blood pressure, or sinus infection.
( Know more about- What is Brain Injury? )
Why is a Headache Tablet used?
Headache medications are used to relieve pain in the following conditions:
- Primary headaches
- Secondary headaches
- Fever and headache during cold
- Common headache
( Know more about- What are Cerebrovascular Diseases? )
What are the different types of Headache medications?
There different types of headache medications include:
- Pain-relieving medications: These medications help in relieving pain and other symptoms associated with a headache.
- Abortive therapy: These medications help in stopping the process behind headache pain.
- Preventive therapy: These are medications that help in reducing the frequency and severity of the headaches.
What are the names of different Headache Tablets available?
The different headache medications available in the market include:
Over-the-counter medications to relieve headache symptoms:
- Aspirin
- Paracetamol or acetaminophen
( Know more about- Information of Paracetamol: Uses and Benefits of Paracetamol )
- Ibuprofen (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or NSAID)
- Naproxen sodium (NSAID)
Prescription medications to relieve headache symptoms:
- Antiemetics (prevents vomiting and nausea), like:
- Promethazine hydrochloride
- Prochlorperazine
- Trimethobenzamide hydrochloride
- Metoclopramide hydrochloride
- Antihistamines, like:
- Cyproheptadine hydrochloride
- Diphenhydramine hydrochloride
Medications used for abortive therapy:
- Ergot, mesylate, dihydroergotamine
- Triptans, zolmitriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan succinate, naratriptan hydrochloride, almotriptan malate, eletriptan hydrobromide, frovatriptan succinate
Medications used for preventive therapy:
- Amitriptyline hydrochloride
- Antihistamines like cyproheptadine hydrochloride
- Botulinum toxin injection (botox)
- Calcitonin gene receptor peptide antagonist, like erenumab-aooe
- Gepants, rimegepant
- Beta-blockers, like atenolol and propranolol hydrochloride
- Calcium channel blockers, like verapamil and flunarizine
- Anticoagulants, like valproic acid
- Topiramate
- Gabapentin
- Citalopram
- Escitalopram
- Paroxetine
- Sertraline
- Fluvoxamine
( Know more about- What is Naproxyn tablet ? )
When should Headache Tablets not be consumed?
Headache tablets should not be taken in the following conditions:
- Liver disease
( Know more about- What is Acute Liver Failure? )
- Kidney disease
( Know more about- What is Acute Kidney Failure? )
- Peptic ulcers
- Asthma
- Heart attack
- Anemia
( Know more about- What is Heart Attack? )
What are the precautions related to Headache Tablets?
- Avoid consuming alcohol while taking headache medicine as it can cause excessive drowsiness and dizziness. Some headache medications such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, nabumetone, naproxen, and ketorolac increase the risk of stomach problems with alcohol.
- Do not take indigestion treatment (antacids) within two hours of taking ketoprofen and naproxen.
- If you are taking acetaminophen medication for long-term treatment, your doctor may regularly monitor your kidney function, liver function, and levels of blood components as acetaminophen can damage the liver.
- Use of headache medications during pregnancy may be unsafe. Although limited data is available from human studies, animal studies suggest potential side effects on the developing fetus.
- It is safe to use headache medications during breastfeeding with few exceptions. Human studies show that these drugs do not go into the breastmilk in sufficient quantities and are not harmful to the baby.
- Headache medications should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment may be required. Please consult your doctor.
- Headache medications should be used cautiously in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment may be needed as suggested by the doctor.
( Know more about- What is Liver Transplant Surgery ? )
Incase of Liver failure , the patient is advised to get liver transplant surgery done. There are many renowned hospitals and doctors in India where liver transplant surgery is done with great expertise.
What are the side effects of Headache Tablets?
The side effects of headache tablets may include:
- Blood cell changes
- Reye’s Syndrome (a neurological or nerve-related condition that may be fatal)
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Bronchospasm, resulting in the narrowing of the airways (asthma patients are highly susceptible).
- Anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reaction)
- Ulcer
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Indigestion
- Dizziness
( Know more about- What is Dizziness? Home remedies for Dizziness )
- Drowsiness
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Vision problem
- Vomiting
- Liver damage
- Constipation
- Swelling
- Loss of appetite
- Darkening of urine
- Dry mouth
- Anxiety
( Know more about- Why is Anxiety bad for your health ? )
How does a Headache Tablet interact with food and alcohol?
- It is safe to take headache medications with food.
- Avoid consuming alcohol while taking headache medicine as it can cause excessive drowsiness and dizziness. Some headache medications such as ibuprofen, ketoprofen, nabumetone, naproxen, and ketorolac increase the risk of stomach problems with alcohol.
( Know more about- Home remedies for stomach ulcers)
What are the various drug interactions of Headache Tablets?
- When two drugs are taken together it may result in drug interactions.
- This may cause ineffectiveness of either of the drugs or increase the risk of side effects.
- The following drugs should not be taken with headache tablets:
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Metamizole
- Methotrexate
- Apixaban
- Celecoxib
- Amlodipine
- Ramipril
- Bleomycin
- Leflunomide
- Pilocarpine
- Lamotrigine
- Warfarin
- Ketorolac
- Ramipril
- Adefovir
- Sirolimus
- Dalteparin
- Captopril
- Busulfan
- Phenytoin
- Cholestyramine
( Know more about- What is Anti- Histamine tablets? )
What are the substitutes for Headache tablets?
The following may be used as substitutes for headache tablets:
- Try a cold pack: Apply a cold pack on your forehead in case of a headache.
- Dim the lights: Bright or twinkling lights on your computer screen can cause headaches.
- Try not to use chewing gum: Chewing gum can also cause headaches.
- Drink plenty of water: Dehydration can also cause headaches, so it is advisable to drink plenty of water.
- Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can also cause headaches in some people, so it is advisable to sleep well.
- Use essential oils: Essential oils such as peppermint and lavender oil are especially helpful when you have a headache.
- Drink caffeinated tea or coffee: Drinking caffeine-rich beverages such as tea or coffee can relieve headaches.
( Know more about- Benefits and Side Effects of Coffee )
- Practicing Yoga: Yoga is a great way to relieve stress, increase flexibility, reduce pain, and improve your overall quality of life.
- Ginger tea: Ginger root contains many beneficial ingredients including antioxidant substances that help in relieving headaches.
- Exercise: One of the simplest ways to reduce the frequency and severity of headaches is to engage in physical activity.
- Head massage: Getting a head massage is comforting.
( Know more about- Benefits and Side effects of Ginger )
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about Headache Tablets:
1) Is it safe to take headache medications while driving or heavy machinery?
Headache medications should be used with caution when driving or using heavy machines as these drugs cause drowsiness and dizziness.
2) Can headache medications cause addiction?
No, headache medications do not become addictive.
3) Is it safe to take headache medicine in patients suffering from kidney or liver disease?
Headache medications should be used with caution in patients suffering from liver or kidney disease.
4) Can I stop taking headache medicine after relieving pain?
If you are using it for short-term pain relief, then headache medication can be discontinued. If you are using the medicine for a prolonged pain condition, then the drug should be discontinued as advised by the doctor.
5) Is it safe to take headache medications?
Yes, it is safe to take headache medicines following the advice of doctors.
We hope that we could answer all your questions regarding headache tablets through this article.
If you have any questions or problems related to headache tablets, you should contact a General physician.
We only aim to provide you with information through this article. We do not recommend any medicine or treatment to anyone. Only a doctor can give you the best advice and correct treatment plan.
