Choosing the best pills for headaches: list, instructions and recommendations

Problems with the head often disrupt all plans for the day, preventing you from focusing on work and simply feeling fulfilled. People with a high threshold for pain sensitivity literally groan from migraines and cannot even do ordinary housework. There is no need to endure pain. Pharmacy chains offer consumers a lot of high-quality and effective medicines for such cases. And if you are a supporter of alternative medicine, then there are many options for salvation in its arsenal. Let's get acquainted with them in detail.

How to choose pills for headaches

No matter how expensive or effective medications may be to eliminate the problem, we should not forget that these are still chemicals. They have many limitations in use and adverse reactions. Therefore, they should be selected wisely, and no one can do this better than a doctor. If it is not possible to contact him, it is worth considering the nature of the pain. So, focusing on it, we select tablets:

• Tension pain . These are so-called migraines that begin suddenly, without cause, at any time of the day. They are characterized by unilateral pain syndrome, affecting the temple area and forehead. Often the prelude to a migraine is numbness in the hands, coughing, and the sensation of unpleasant odors nearby. If this is your case, then you should choose non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Those made with ibuprofen are suitable. Among these, for example, are Brufen and Nurofen, Imet, Ibuprom. Their advantage is the minimum number of side effects and long-term relief from pain.
• Vascular . Such pain in the head is the result of dilation or, conversely, narrowing of the blood vessels in the brain. That is, it accompanies hypotension and hypertension. The best way to confirm this is to measure blood pressure. Next, you need to take medications that lower or increase blood pressure, respectively. In the latter case, Citramon and Guaranine, Theobromine and Caffeine-sodium benzoate can normalize the condition. You can reduce blood pressure and relieve pain with Verapamil and Losartan, Artezin and Captopril.
• Liquorodynamic . This pain is a consequence of changes in pressure in the spinal cord fluid. It is characterized by fullness in the head, sensations of strong pressure of the brain on the skull. When sneezing or coughing, CSF pain always intensifies. If you feel such symptoms, you can take analgesics (Paracetamol, Diclofenac, No-shpu, Bral). However, you need to take into account that the above nature of pain can also signal tumors and meningitis. With such diagnoses, the use of painkillers alone is not very effective.
• Psychogenic . We are talking about pain in the head as a consequence of stress, emotional experiences, and phobias. Both people with unstable psyches and workaholics suffer from psychogenic pain. In this case, the best pill is to solve problems and relax, change the environment and calm. Sedative drugs Tenoten, Valocordin, Persen, Novo-passit, Notta will help. They need to be taken in a course. A single dose will not solve the problem.

• Pain in pregnant women . They often complain about their head. This category of patients needs to be especially careful when choosing medications for headaches. In the first 12 weeks of gestation, it is better to give preference to herbal-based products (Fitosedan, Persen) or take Citramon, Paracetamol. Taboo drugs: Amigren, Tryptamine, Aspirin, Propranolol.

Having chosen your own suitable painkiller, you should definitely read the list of its contraindications in the instructions. Without doing this, you can eliminate the pain in your head and create other problems for yourself.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

If you have a persistent headache, you should consult a doctor. He will prescribe correct and effective treatment, but he needs to know the following information:

1. Character of headache: dull, sharp, throbbing, pressing.
2. The presence of additional symptoms: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, numbness of the extremities.
3. Place of localization of unpleasant sensations: forehead, temples, back of the head.
4. Approximate causes of headaches: the presence of chronic or somatic diseases, weather changes, stress, poor diet.
5. What medications the patient took before the headache appeared, as well as what means he used to relieve it.

Only in this case, treatment with head pills can quickly give the desired effect.

In some cases, headache pills should not be used:

1. Non-steroidal drugs are prohibited in case of an allergic reaction or suspicion of the development of hidden bleeding. In addition, they should not be used by people with gastrointestinal ulcers during an exacerbation, pregnant women and nursing mothers, patients with impaired renal and hepatic function. Heart failure, as well as severe arterial hypertension, can also be a contraindication to the use of these drugs.
2. Antispasmodics. These are strong pills, which you can’t always take. For example, you should not take such medications if you have renal (liver) failure, arterial hypotension, or hypersensitivity to the components of the drugs. They should also not be taken if a person has been diagnosed with glaucoma.
3. Analgesics. They should not be used if the following contraindications exist: bronchial asthma, hematopoietic disorders, hereditary pathologies, severe liver and kidney dysfunction, an allergic reaction or hypersensitivity to the drug.

As you can see, before taking medications for headaches, you need to make sure that the patient has no contraindications to them. Otherwise, you can only worsen his condition.

After analyzing patient reviews, we can conclude that for osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or against headaches caused by other factors, the following medications help:

• "Tempalgin". This is an analogue of analgin, which is highly effective.
• "Citramon". This headache remedy is very effective. It fights pain well due to the presence of caffeine, citric acid and cocoa powder in its composition.
• "Pentalgin". A lot of medicinal components can be found in its composition, which ensures its effectiveness. You can also note the presence of caffeine in these tablets. The presented medicine fights headaches well, normalizes sleep, and improves overall health.

• "Solpadeine." This drug is very popular. It has positive reviews. The product contains paracetamol, so it helps against headaches. The presented remedy is very often prescribed for the treatment of migraines. Since these tablets are effervescent and dissolve in water, they guarantee a faster effect compared to other drugs.
• "Sedalgin".

These headache medications are the most effective according to user reviews.

Common headache remedies:

1. Paracetamol.
2. Thrombo-Ass, Aspirin-Cardio and Cardiomagnyl (aspirin).
3. Solpadeine.
4. Cafetin.
5. Mig, Nurofen (ibuprofen).
6. Pentalgin and Pentalgin N.
7. Tempalgin.
8. Spasmalgon.
9. Citramon.
10. Nise, Nimesil (nimesulide).

Painkillers work quickly, regardless of the cause, to suppress nerve sensation, reducing the inflammatory response caused by prostaglandins. Many people consider Citramon the best medicine for headaches - it is inexpensive and helps quickly. It contains caffeine, aspirin and paracetamol.

Paracetamol is an anti-inflammatory drug for reducing fever and relieving headaches, suppresses the synthesis of prostaglandins, relieving pain. Aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid used to reduce the formation of blood clots and eliminate inflammatory reactions. Caffeine is part of many complex effective medications for headaches, relieves fatigue, and acts as an antiplatelet agent, preventing blood clots.

Paracetamol and aspirin are available as separate tablets. Aspirin is produced under the names Thrombo-Ass, Cardiomagnyl.

Nimesil for headaches is a strong, fast-acting remedy, but it has increased toxicity, as a result of which it is banned in a number of countries. The active substance is nimesulide, which has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. It is also produced under the Nise brand. Shows a strong toxic effect on the liver.

Pentalgin is a combination remedy, tablets for severe headaches. The complex combines an antispasmodic, a decongestant and two anti-inflammatory substances, as well as the above-mentioned caffeine. Drotaverine dilates blood vessels, preventing oxygen starvation of the brain. Paracetamol and Naproxen have an anti-inflammatory effect and relieve pain.

Pheniramine has an antihistamine effect, preventing the development of cerebral edema. Caffeine stimulates brain activity and prevents blood clots. Contraindicated for migraine, as it contains the vasodilator drotaverine.

Pentalgin N contains the anti-inflammatory drugs metamizole and naproxen, as well as the narcotic analgesic codeine, caffeine, a vascular tonic. Phenobarbital in the drug enhances the effect of anti-inflammatory substances and also helps to sleep.

Effective for migraines and headaches of other origins. An analogue of Pentalgin-Solpadeine, containing paracetamol and codeine, caffeine. Tempalgin contains metamizole and the anti-anxiety drug tempidone. Analgin and Baralgin (Bral) are non-narcotic analgesics for headaches.

Migraine tablets

Migraine is caused by pathological dilation of blood vessels. To relieve attacks of pain in this case, triptans are used - substances that constrict blood vessels, as well as ergotamine. The combined use of triptans and ergotamine is prohibited as it causes spasms. Migraine medications:

1. Imigran.
2. Rapidmed.
3. Sumamigrain.
4. Relpax.
5. Zopimig.
6. Amigrenin.
7. Syncapton.
8. Caffeamine.
9. Nomigren.

The last three drugs contain ergotamine.

For headaches caused by arterial spasm, antispasmodics and vasodilators are used. To prevent thrombosis, antiplatelet agents and angioprotectors are used. Antispasmodics include the drug Drotaverine (No-Shpa). Vasodilators help with increased intracranial pressure, as well as with spasms of the arteries of the head. Such medications include Cavinton (Vinpocetine), Cinnarizine.

Elderly people and women who use oral contraceptives are prone to thrombosis of the cerebral arteries. To treat headaches caused by thrombosis, antiplatelet drugs aspirin and Plavix (clopidogrel) are used. To treat headaches caused by impaired vascular permeability and venous congestion in the brain, angioprotectors based on extracts of Ginkgo (Bilobil) and chestnut (Aescusan) are used. Such drugs prevent the occurrence of cerebral edema and increase the tone of the veins.

Conclusion

If you are worried about systematic headaches, contact a neurologist to diagnose the causes of these symptoms. Which pills are best for headaches? The doctor will prescribe the necessary medications, taking into account the pathology that led to the pain syndrome. Medicines containing codeine require a prescription.

1. Ibuprofen (price from 80 to 150 rubles) - 2 capsules relieve a severe attack.
2. Diclofenac (price from 40 to 250 rubles) - 1 tablet or rectal suppository is enough.
3. Aspirin (from 20 rubles) - cheap tablets, do not help in small doses (1000 mg).
4. Analgin (about 200 rubles) - no more than 1 tablet per day.
5. Paracetamol (from 20 to 130 rubles) – 500 – 1000 mg no more than 3 – 4 times a day.

ATTENTION! If analgesics do not relieve the attack of pain, then it is possible that the cause of the pain is a spasm of cerebral vessels.

In this case, you should take one of the popular antispasmodics:

1. No-spa (from 64 rubles, cheaper analogue - Drotaverine) - 40 - 80 mg 1 to 3 times a day.
2. Papaverine (from 40 rubles) – 40 – 60 mg 3 times a day.
3. Halidor (from 560 rubles) – 100 mg three times.

Triptans

• Sumatripan: Rapimed, Amigrenin, Imigran, Sumatripan (price from 250 to 750 rubles per pack).
• Other triptans - Rapimig, Zolmigren (over 500 rubles for 6 tablets).

What can you drink for headaches and which ones are available without a prescription? Of the above-mentioned drugs, only when purchasing triptans can you be asked for a prescription from a doctor, since they have the most powerful effect. Other drugs can be freely purchased at the pharmacy.

Which pills are good in a particular case depends on the type of discomfort, its nature and the presence of concomitant diseases. The following medications can help treat some types of headaches:

1. "Analgin" is a drug of a synthetic group that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects. Prescribed for muscle, joint and headache pain. For cramps, take 1 tablet, up to 3 times a day.
2. "Citramon" is a combined remedy. Due to the complex effect, it quickly neutralizes the inflammatory process and spasms (drink one tablet, if necessary, increase the dosage to 2 units 3 times a day).
3. "Tempalgin" is a synthetic combination medicine. It has an analgesic, antispasmodic effect, allows you to treat neuritis, toothache, intestinal and renal colic.
4. "Solpadeine" is a complex medicine that has an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. Use 1-2 units 4 times/day.
5. "Pentalgin" - has an anti-inflammatory, analgesic effect, normalizes concentration, eliminates insomnia. If you had a headache, take a tablet up to 3 times a day.

A wide selection of drugs against spasms and migraine attacks makes many patients think about which drug is best in a given situation. Anti-inflammatory non-steroidal medications are considered the most effective, but they do not always bring the expected result.

The most effective pills for headaches

Tablet medications will help relieve pain and normalize working condition. Each of them has its own characteristics, purpose, and mechanism of action. Here are just a few:

1. Captopril . Usually recommended for hypertensive crisis. It stops an attack quickly, but is not suitable for systematic use. Prohibited for those suffering from atherosclerosis. The medication can be taken with strict blood pressure control.
2. Aspirin . Its analgesic effect occurs together with the antipyretic. The affordable drug is good for colds with headaches and infectious diseases. Prohibited for breastfeeding women, pregnant women and those suffering from ulcers. Aspirin should not be taken for more than 7 days.
3. Losartan . Prevents vasoconstriction, stabilizes blood pressure. Suitable for hypertensive patients. Good as a means for systematic therapy.
4. Paracetamol . It is considered a highly effective medicine for eliminating headaches, and it is also safe. Suitable for combating pain of various etiologies. Paracetamol should not be taken for a long time; its combination with alcohol and overdose are dangerous.
5. No-shpa . An affordable antispasmodic is allowed even for expectant mothers for safety reasons. Acts quickly. The good thing is that it causes almost no side effects and is not expensive.
6. Ketanov . Belongs to the category of strong analgesics of non-narcotic origin. It is used in oncology, but requires strict adherence to dosages. The medication has many side effects. Ketanov should not be used for a long time.
7. Nurofen . The ibuprofen-based medication is convenient because it comes in different forms. In addition to analgesic, it also has an anti-inflammatory effect. Nurofen is safe with strict dosing and use for 3 days. Suitable for hypertensive patients.
8. I took it . Copes with mild to moderate pain. Acts as an antispasmodic, relieves inflammation. But it has a considerable list of “side effects”.
9. Tramal . A powerful prescription analgesic. Relatively safe. Its side effects occur rarely, mainly when the recommended doses are increased.

Diagnostics

What does a doctor look for when examining elderly patients:

• for age;
• for chronic diseases;
• on the nature of painful sensations and their localization;
• frequency of symptoms;
• how the attack begins and how it ends, what affects its intensity;
• for accompanying symptoms.

The specialist examines the patient, identifying the degree of his consciousness and mood, palpating the head, neck, and temporal arteries. It is necessary to measure blood pressure, body temperature, and take a general blood test. If necessary, you may need to consult a neurologist, ophthalmologist and otolaryngologist. People over 65 years old with atypical pain symptoms must be prescribed:

1. Computed tomography of the brain - to detect tumors, hemorrhages and strokes.
2. Magnetic resonance imaging is a method of examining the skull for the presence of tumors and abnormalities in soft tissues.
3. X-ray of the chest, head, and sinuses.

What therapy is used for elderly patients?

1. In case of stress and overwork, frequent rest and a measured lifestyle are recommended.
2. For colds and headaches, older people are prescribed painkillers and antipyretics: paracetamol, ibuclin.
3. For conditions caused by muscle overstrain, muscle relaxants are recommended: mydocalm, baclosan.
4. Migraine is effectively eliminated by the drugs mig, metamizole, naproxen.
5. For temporal arteritis, a biopsy is performed. If the diagnosis is confirmed, steroids are administered to prevent blindness and stroke.
6. For facial tics and neuralgia, the medication Tegretol is prescribed.
7. If a head injury is sustained, therapy is carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
8. Glaucoma must be treated by a specialist.
9. If pain symptoms are caused by a cerebral hemorrhage, hospitalization is necessary.
10. Increased arterial or intracranial pressure should also be monitored by a doctor, who, in some cases, prescribes a special diet and medications that stabilize blood pressure.

How to get rid of headaches without pills?

There is a category of people who categorically do not accept pills as an option for eliminating headaches. So you can try other ways to improve your well-being - affordable and safe. Some people are helped by tightly tying the frontal part of their head with a woolen scarf, others go out into the fresh air and actively ventilate their lungs for 3-5 minutes (breathe deeply), others normalize the condition by washing their hair with hot water. You can use a product with a strong smell for this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RAIQtGJDE0

(Video: “TOP 10 MOST EFFECTIVE MEDICATIONS FOR HEADACHES”)

Even with high blood pressure, you can normalize it with a tablespoon of cognac. Aromatherapy using lavender, rosemary, and pine esters can also be a salvation option for aching pain in the head. Psychologists say that the so-called second dominant helps to calm it down - switching attention to something exciting, fascinating, intriguing. Embroidery will help some, and a new game will help gambling people.

Compresses

There are several types of such local manipulations. For example, cold compresses prevent blood flow. Ice from the refrigerator is used as a coolant. Just be sure to wrap it in natural fabric. Frozen vegetables, in the absence of special ice cubes, can also be applied to the forehead area. Hot, but not too hot, compresses dilate blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure. They do not have to be placed on the forehead. You can apply a hot heating pad to the feet of your lower extremities.

For migraines, alternating a cold compress with a hot one can help.

But saline is good for headaches that accompany respiratory ailments. Vinegar will help with troubling pain of moderate severity that occurs during emotional experiences, fatigue, and lack of sleep. You can mix 9% vinegar with rose oil, moisten a cotton towel, and apply to your forehead.

( Video : “How to get rid of a headache. A towel instead of a pill”)

A slightly chopped cabbage leaf can also be used as a compress. Some juice should come out of it. The sheet is wrapped on top with a scarf, towel, handkerchief. When the cabbage becomes warm due to body temperature, it needs to be replaced. Vegetable compress eliminates vascular spasm. An alternative to cabbage can be burdock leaf, only young.

Massage

Acupressure has also proven effective in relieving headaches. This is a simple massage of active points associated with the brain. The first is yintang or the so-called third eye point. Located between the eyebrows, above the bridge of the nose. The second - he-gu is located in the depression between the thumb and index finger. The third - ju-liao is located at a distance of 2 cm from the bottom of the nostrils, in line with the pupils. These points need to be massaged for 50-60 seconds with increasing pressure. Acupressure, as a type of reflexology, helps cope with moderate pain. They disappear 8-10 minutes after the end of the manipulation.

( Video : “Live healthy! Treat headaches without drugs”)

Neck massage eliminates head pain if it is caused by osteochondrosis. You need to relax the neck muscles with your fingers (stroking, rubbing, tapping), and activate blood circulation in the area. You can enhance your actions by using a warming ointment.

Antidepressants for migraines

If the headache is caused by a psychosomatic condition or organic brain damage, then nootropics or antidepressants come to the rescue. This is a class of strictly prescription drugs that can be purchased at a pharmacy only with a doctor's prescription. The most common of these medications are: Amitriptyline, Fluoxetine, Zoloft, Stimuloton, Mexidol, Cerebrolysin, Sertraline, Piracetam, Cinnarizine.

In some cases, taking such psychotropic medications is the only way to get rid of the constant migraine that poisons the patient’s life. Before use, consultation with a doctor is required.

Folk remedies for headaches

The first thing that traditional healers recommend doing is to remove hats, clips, hairpins, and comb your hair. Then you need to drink a glass of warm water to thin the blood, lie down in a dark room, and completely relax. If the condition does not improve after 30-40 minutes, you can try the following:

• Propolis . Its tincture helps to cope with headaches. You need to take it 30-35 drops.
• Coins . It is believed that copper ones absorb pain. You need to apply a few to the temples and forehead. The pain should decrease within 15-25 minutes.
• Lavender oil . A few drops are rubbed into the temples. The Vietnamese “Star” works in a similar way.
• Lemon pulp. It acts as a tonic and relieves pain. Citrus slices should be applied to the temporal area and take a horizontal position.
• Red beetroot . Swabs are soaked in fresh vegetable juice, wrung out, and applied to the ears.
• Vinegar inhalation . You need to breathe in steam from a mixture of water and apple cider vinegar, taken in equal parts.
• Herbal infusion . You can make it from valerian and lemon balm roots, taken a pinch at a time. The drink helps relieve pain of psychogenic origin.
• Cinnamon . Mix half a teaspoon of spice in hot water and drink slowly.
• Foot bath . This is an option for improving well-being for hypertensive patients. You can add a little mustard to hot water to stimulate blood flow.
• Hematite . Wearing jewelry made from this stone is recommended for hypotensive patients suffering from VSD. It is better to use the product as a preventative.

There are many options to relieve pain of varying severity. However, first objectively analyze its reasons. Perhaps you need to start with lifestyle correction and then the question of treatment will disappear for a long time.

Preventive measures

Naturally, the list of drugs presented should be familiar to every person. It is important to know the names of the medications that the patient is going to take. However, in order not to bring the matter to treatment, follow some recommendations from specialists. Prevention is still better than therapy:

1. Healthy lifestyle. It is best to give up bad habits and not be lazy. The general condition of the body, blood circulation and metabolism can be improved by performing simple physical exercises. Naturally, you cannot immediately load the body as much as possible, as this can, on the contrary, provoke a headache attack.
2. Compliance with work and rest schedules.
3. Healthy, full sleep. A person should sleep at least 8 and no more than 10 hours a day. Only in this case can you achieve good health.
4. It is advisable to do breathing exercises, which will help enrich the tissues with oxygen necessary for the normal functionality of the body.