What is the specific type of symptom-relief medication I'm taking?
Up Next- What do headaches feel like?
- What triggers a headache?
- What are the different types of headaches?
There are several types of medications available to relieve headache symptoms. The type of medicine you should use depends on the type of headaches you have and how severe they are. The chart that follows lists the types of medication you may be taking or that you and your doctor may be considering. The following articles discuss:
- what you need to know about the specific type of medicine
- what you can do to use the medication safely
- how the medication works
- the side effects for which you should watch
- how the medicine might interact with other drugs or health conditions
Types of Symptom-relief Medications
Below is a list of some of the medications
you can use to relieve headache pain and other symptoms. To
learn more, read the next few articles on types of medication that you are now taking or that you and your doctor
are considering.
Analgesics
brand
generic
Aspirin-Free Anacin, Panadol, Tylenol,
others
acetaminophen
Excedrin Migraine, others
acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine
Aspirin, Bufferin, others
aspirin
Advil, Motrin IB, Nuprin, others
ibuprofen
Naprosyn
naproxen
Aleve, Anaprox DS
naproxen sodium
Cataflam
diclofenac
Ansaid
flurbiprofen
Indocin
indomethacin
Barbiturate combinations
brand
generic
Esgic, Fioricet, Fiorinal, Phrenilin
butalbital with caffeine and
acetaminophen
Fiorinal with codeine
butalbital with aspirin, caffeine, and
codeine
Ergot alkaloids and derivatives
brand
generic
Ergomar, Ergostat
ergotamine
Cafergot, Cafetrate, Ercaf, Ergo-Caff,
Migergot, Wigraine
ergotamine with caffeine
Migranal nasal spray, D.H.E. 45
injection
dihydroergotamine mesylate (DHE) SC, IM, IV,
Nasal Spray
Narcotic analgesics
brand
generic
various prescription preparations
codeine
Stadol (injection), Stadol NS (nasal
spray)
butorphanol IM, butorphanol IV, butorphanol
nasal spray
various prescription names
acetaminophen with codeine
Demerol HCl, IM, IV
opiates IM, opiates IV, merperidine HCl,
merperidine HCl IV
Triptans or serotonin (5HT-1) receptor
agonists
brand
generic
Imitrex tablets and injection (SC)
sumatriptan succinate
Imitrex nasal spray
sumatriptan succinate
Amerge
naratriptan
Maxalt (tablet), Maxalt - MLT
rizatriptan benzoate
Zomig
zolmitriptan
Isometheptene agents
brand
generic
Midrin, Midchlor, Isocom, Isopap
isometheptene mucate, acetaminophen, and
dichloralphenazone