A person who first encounters a headache usually rarely pays attention to it, writes off a not very comfortable state of fatigue or lack of sleep, and does not seek a solution to the problem. If after a short period of time the pain symptom disappears by itself, then the search for a suitable cure for headache is not required and fades into the background. If rest does not help and the pain does not go away, an urgent solution to the problem is required.
Since this symptom accompanies fifty different diseases, you need to give yourself first aid and visit a doctor in the near future to undergo a medical examination and take the necessary tests.
Types of drugs
The choice of medicine is impossible without understanding the cause of the disease. There are a huge number of medicines that relieve pain. Some of them help immediately, others in half an hour, and some need to be taken for a long time.
You can figure out what classification of headaches you can get in a particular situation. There are 5 main groups:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are most widespread, as they not only relieve pain, but also relieve inflammatory syndrome, as well as lower the temperature. Medicines of this group work on the destruction of the cyclooxygenase enzyme, but adversely affect the stomach. Bright representatives are “Ibuprofen”, “Indomethacin”, “Ketoprofen”.
- Analgesics are divided into non-narcotic and narcotic drugs sold by prescription. The latter are addictive and are used for severe pain. These include: "Morphine", "Codeine", "Promedol." Non-narcotic drugs that relieve headaches and are related to analgesics are the well-known Citramon, Analgin, Paracetamol, and Acetylsalicylic Acid.
- Antispasmodics are aimed at reducing vascular tone and are used for their spasms. They relax the muscle wall of blood vessels and thereby improve blood circulation. Analgesics will not cope with this task. Therefore, the best medicines for headaches that occur during spasm of blood vessels belong to this group. Most often they get the most famous Spazgan, No-shpu, Papaverin, Spazmalgon.
- Antidepressants do not always cope with a headache and rather have an effect on the cause, rather than treat the symptoms. There are two popular drugs: Amitriptyline and Imipramine, which have a sedative effect and relax, eliminating pain.
- Vasoconstrictor drugs also save you from migraines. They eliminate the pathology of dilated blood vessels, which leads to stagnation of blood and pain. After a thorough examination, doctors often prescribe Migrenol or Kafergot.
Ibuprofen
The drug is produced in Russia, it is non-steroidal and helps to reduce pain and heat in pathological processes. Available in the form of tablets with the content of the main substance ibuprofen in an amount of 200 mg. Since this medicine for headache is prescribed in cases accompanied by an additional temperature, the intake is recommended up to 3 times a day with an interval of 8-10 hours no more than 5 days. The drug is prohibited for use until the age of six and in pregnancy.
Sometimes reactions are found in the form of digestive problems, tachycardia, anemia and allergic reactions. Ibuprofen treatment is not allowed in combination with other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Ketoprofen
It is produced in Russia and has many forms of release: gel, capsules, tablets, suppositories, solution. Usually, the medicine for headache is taken in the form of tablets containing 100 mg of the ketoprofen substance, or in capsules, where the dose is reduced by 2 times. The main adverse reactions accompanying the drug may be dyspeptic indigestion.
Studies conducted in the experimental group showed the effectiveness of the drug in 66 out of 100 cases. Side effects were found in 27% of the examined patients. Contraindications for use are: allergies, pregnancy and lactation, chronic heart disease.
Codeine or Morphine
The drugs are of the same type, have the same principle of action. The patient does not need to choose one of two drugs. All narcotic analgesics are prescription-only. The attending doctor decides which medicine to take for a headache in each case. Since these two drugs are synthesized from opium, drug dependence arises from their use.
"Morphine" has a stronger effect, and in small doses is a sleeping pill. "Codeine" is weaker than "Morphine" affects the metabolic processes of the body, so it is used much more often. In addition, it inhibits the respiratory center, so it is prescribed for the symptom of a dry cough.
Citramon
The most common and readily available cure for headache. It contains caffeine, paracetamol and aspirin. It is available in the form of tablets and has a comprehensive effect on the problem: it reduces the temperature, stimulates the functioning of blood vessels, and relieves pain and inflammation. It is also in a low price category, which attracts patients. Method of application: from 1 to 2 tablets no more than 4 times a day. In order to avoid problems with the stomach, it is recommended to drink the tablet with milk or mineral water. Contraindications to the appointment are:
- intolerance to the components of the drug;
- stomach ulcer;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- glaucoma;
- hypertension
- insomnia.
"Analgin"
The medication is in the form of a solution for injection and tablets. The active ingredient metamizole sodium is in 1 tablet in an amount of 500 mg. It is used for various pain syndromes, including for severe headaches, the drug is prescribed in a dose of up to 1 gram. The amount of admission per day should not exceed 3000 mg.
It is possible to use in childhood up to 300 mg at a time and up to 900 mg daily. Adverse reactions in the form of an allergy or Quincke's edema are rarely found.
"Papaverine"
The medicine belongs to antispasmodics and is produced in Russia in the form of tablets. The active substance is papaverine hydrochloride in an amount of 40 mg. It is used for spasms of cerebral vessels, in the treatment of angina pectoris. The permissible dosage is 1-2 tablets 3 to 5 times a day.
As side effects, one can ascertain increased sweating and drowsiness, constipation, arterial hypotension. The drug is contraindicated for use in newborns, in the elderly and in patients with severe liver failure.
Spazgan
An antispasmodic is made in the form of tablets. In addition to metamizole sodium, which is available in Analgin, the drug contains 5 mg of pitophenone hydrochloride. The combination of two active substances leads to increased action of both. The second most important component has a relaxing effect and is similar in effect to Papaverine. A single dose prescribed by a doctor usually does not exceed 2 tablets. The drug is approved for use in childhood, according to the doctor.
Possible manifestations of allergies, decreased blood pressure, dry mouth, difficulty urinating, tachycardia.
Amitriptyline
Tablets are produced in Denmark in an amount of 50 pieces in glass bottles at a dosage of 25 mg of amitriptyline hydrochloride. They are used for chronic pain associated with a depressive state. The appointment according to the scheme is recommended: start with 1 tablet at night, bringing up to 8 tablets per day for 5 days. In the absence of effect, the amount of the drug is increased by another 1.5 times within two weeks. According to the results of eliminating the signs of depression, administration is continued for up to 3 months. Side effects are sometimes observed:
- drowsiness, up to a swoon;
- disorientation in space;
- tremor of limbs;
- tachycardia;
- nausea;
- itchy skin.
The medicine is not prescribed in cases of alcohol and sleeping pills intoxication and with angle-closure glaucoma.
Imipramine
The drug has an antidepressant and psychostimulating effect on the patient. It is used in the complex treatment of chronic headache and neurosis. Dosage is prescribed strictly individually:
- children from 6 years to 50 mg per day,
- adults up to 200 mg.
For children, the drug is contraindicated, as well as for pregnant and lactating mothers. You can not use the medicine for problems with the blood, with liver and kidney failure and immediately after myocardial infarction.
Since the pain syndrome associated with a depressive state is treated more difficult than other headaches, which medicine to drink in a particular condition, the doctor decides. The patient’s task in this case is to describe the disease course in more detail and trust the specialist. He will determine for sure whether Amitriptyline, Imipramine, or another antidepressant will help the patient.
Migrenol
The drug is produced in the United States in the form of coated tablets containing paracetamol and caffeine. In this case, caffeine stimulates the center of the brain, constricts blood vessels and enhances the action of paracetamol as an analgesic. The drug is not prescribed until the age of twelve. The maximum dose for adults per day should not be more than 8 tablets.
A minimum of side effects gave the medicine a long life. Allergies and nausea are possible. You can not use "Migrenol" with increased sensitivity to paracetamol or caffeine, with renal and hepatic insufficiency, with epilepsy. With caution, the drug is prescribed when breastfeeding or while the baby is waiting.
Headache during pregnancy
During the bearing of a child or during the lactation period, any woman carefully selects medications. What medications for headaches can be given to pregnant and lactating mothers, the doctor must determine. The most harmless drugs available are Paracetamol, Panadol, Efferalgan, No-shpa tablets and the Drotaverin analogue. But it is better to limit yourself to taking decoctions of mint or chamomile. Medicinal herbs can gently relieve malaise without harming the mother and baby.
All representatives of the mentioned groups of drugs eliminate headaches. However, self-medication carries significant risks. For example, instead of the required antispasmodic, you can take a vasoconstrictor medicine and worsen the clinical picture. That is why it is very important to understand the reason and decide together with a specialist which medicine for a headache a particular patient can drink.