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Headache Medications

There are large numbers of medications available to reduce the headache. All medications offer different possible side effects and different medical benefits. Some drugs from headache used by prescription and some of them are OTC. Some medicines are addictive and some are forming habit and treat more than one disease at a single time.

Health care providers recommend a certain drugs according to signs and symptoms and causes of type of headache.

The following are the certain medications for reducing the level of headache:

Isometheptene

Patient can use it with the combination of analgesics or other drugs. The main combinations of medications to treat headache are Duradrin® or Midrin® which include acetaminophen + dichloralphenazone + isometheptene. It is very effective combination to treat headache.

Analgesics

An analgesic like aspirin is used to reduce headache and it is easily available OTC. It can be used with other medications such as codeine. The Simple analgesics are not more effective as compared to combination analgesics. Patients can get easily the combination of analgesics at OTC. Most of people with infrequent and mild headache give best result to combination and simple analgesic.

Generic names of Analgesics Trade names of Analgesics

Aspirin Bufferin®, Bayer®

Acetaminophen Tylenol®

Aspirin + Acetaminophen + Caffeine Excedrin®, Excedrin Migraine®

Aspirin + Caffeine Anacin®

The irritation of Stomach is the main possible side effect of combination and simple analgesics. Consult the doctor before taking the simple or combination analgesics to treat any type of headache.

Ergot Alkaloid Derivatives

Ergot Alkaloid Derivatives are also known as Migraine-specific medications. These drugs are very effective to work for nerves and blood vessels in the brain. These drugs can be found in different types such as dihydroergotamin and ergotamine tartrate.

Generic names of Dihydoergotamine Trade names of Dihydoergotamine

DHE nasal spray Migranal® Nasal Spray

DHE injection DHE 45® Injection

Generic names of Ergotamine Tartrate Trade names of Ergotamine Tartrate

Ergotamine Tablets Ergomar®

Ergotamine Tartrate Tablets+ Caffeine Wigraine®, Ercaf®

The Possible side effects of Ergot may include numbness, nausea, muscle cramps, cold fingers or toes and tingling sensations. These drugs contraindicate in persons with heart problems, peripheral vascular disorder like Raynaud’s disease and high blood pressure.

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs

Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory medications are very effective analgesics. People can get these drugs in the form of liquids or tablets. Some medications are very effective to treat mild, moderate and severe headache and people can find some drugs easily at OTC. It has the possible side effects such as stomach upset. Before using these medications discuss the health care providers.

Generic names of NSAIDs Trade names of NSAIDs

Flurbiprofen Ansaid®

Ketoprofen Orudis®

Piroxicam Feldene®

Diclofenac K Cataflam®

Ibuprofen Motrin®, Advil®, Nuprin®

Naproxen Aleve®, Anaprox® DS, Naprosyn®

Butalbital

The trade names of this drug is Fioricet® or Fiorinal®. This medication combined with aspirin, caffeine, or acetaminophen may be useful to treat headache. It may be habit-forming medication. So, various physicians to treat severe headache can reserve these drugs.

Other Narcotic Analgesics

The generic names of these agents may include hydrocodone, fentanyl, morphine, methadone, meperidine and hydromorphone. These agents are also effective to treat headache.

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