Health Mind Body

Common Drugs Used In Treating Headaches

For those who suffer from chronic headaches it may be a long road in trying to find what may be the cause. Even coming to understand what triggers may be involved may take a great deal of time and effort. Though every effort may be made to head off a headache naturally, it still may not be enough. So the relief that can come from prescription medication is often welcomed.

For tension and stress head pain over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen have proven helpful. These may help with sinus headaches as well, if and when treatment for any sinus infection is underway but the pain has not immediately subsided.

Migraines are severe headaches that usually require extra strength help. Some milder migraines may respond to acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or acetylsalicylic acid. But more often than not the addition of codeine or meperidine is included. Some drugs use a combination of acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine. And if these do not do the trick a doctor may prescribe a stronger version of a similar combination. However there can be serious side effects if these are taken over a long period of time with the appearance of ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Often there is the problem of rebound headaches that are a result of taking too much of the prescribed medicine. Sometimes this is in anticipation of a headaches rather than actually experiencing the pain. The Body gets used to the dosage and then responds by producing an even worse headache. After this, the only way to get past it is to stop taking the medication or at least reduce it. Understandably, this is not easy to do but a doctor may be able to guide you safely through it.

One of the premiere types of drugs used in treating migraines are called Triptans. They have proven effective in reducing the collective of symptoms of migraines such as the nausea or sensitivity to light in addition to the pain. One of the more commonly known is the drug Imitrex. With strong medication come strong side effects and it is a wise course to discuss all this with your doctor to understand the pros and cons of considering this treatment.

Ergots are a type of drug that has a long history in the fight against migraines and while proven helpful they do not appear to be as effective as the Triptan group. And because there are some individuals that are unable to tolerate either of these - doctors will sometimes prescribe something from the group of opiates - such as codeine as an alternative option.

Another approach to dealing with severe headaches such as migraines is the use of preventative medication that may not eliminate them but do a great deal in reducing the frequency and duration of the headaches. Because many of these types of drugs are used in treating other serious ailments and are quite strong, they can carry with them harmful side effects. So a thoughtful consideration of all your best options is needed. As well, it is vital to follow all proper procedures as recommended by your Health Care provider.