Treatment of headaches at the Yusupov Hospital

Top 9 drugs for headaches depending on its cause.

June 1, 2021
10879

3.3

1

Content

• Why does my head hurt?
• Groups of drugs for headaches
• Analgesics
• Antispasmodics
• Vasoconstrictor drugs
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• The most effective pills for headaches
• Aspirin
• Paracetamol
• Citramon
• Tempalgin
• Pentalgin
• Spazgan
• Nurofen
• No-Shpa

There is probably not a single person who has not experienced a headache at least once in his life. Moreover, this also applies to absolutely healthy people. Headache varies in severity, often impairing quality of life and reducing performance. Therefore, there are head pills in every home medicine cabinet.

But you need to understand that there is no universal remedy for headaches, because there are about 40 causes that cause them. And only a doctor can determine exactly why you have a headache. If you need to quickly relieve pain, we suggest you at least figure out which headache medication you need to take in a particular case.

Read also How to treat migraine: the best drugs Top 5 best drugs against migraine

Which brand of headache remedies is better to choose?

Among the leaders of this rating are both Russian manufacturers and foreign companies from Bulgaria, Germany and other countries. Here's what the list of winners looks like:

• Medisorb is the largest manufacturer of medicines in Russia with more than 24 years of experience. The company produces over 40 types of analgesics, enterosorbents, antispasmodics and has its own formulas.
• Pharmstandard - the company offers medicines in liquid and solid forms for oral and external use. The products are regularly tested for quality and effectiveness, have an adequate price, and are widely represented in pharmacy chains.
• The Borisov plant is a manufacturer that produces inexpensive anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, painkillers and other tablets. Among them there are both those that are sold without a prescription and those that are sold only by prescription.
• Berlin-Chemie/Menarini is a German pharmaceutical concern that became famous, in particular, after the Mig analgesic entered the market. He independently researches the situation in his niche, develops and tests some of the best drugs for headaches.
• Sopharma - the company is located in Bulgaria, founded in 1933, is a leader in the country, supplies its products all over the world, one of which is Tempalgin.
• Hello HFZ AD - the line of medications from this Icelandic company is not very large, it includes nasal drops and tablets, including for eliminating headaches - Spazmalgon. It produces medicines in various packaging and dosages.
• Balkanpharma is a company established in Moldova in 2007 and is characterized by high quality products. She cares about the safety of her funds and has developed a system for verifying their authenticity online and complies with all GMP standards. She owns the Sedalgin Plus tablets.

The price of painkillers for migraines between domestic and foreign manufacturers does not differ very much, but their effectiveness is almost equally high.

Why does my head hurt?

The characteristics of headaches can vary in intensity, location, nature of pain, duration, etc. Among the causes of headaches

such:

• osteochondrosis of the cervical spine or cerebral vascular spasms;
• migraine, vascular problems, otitis media, glaucoma and other problems can be suspected by a throbbing headache;
• if the headache lasts for a long time, meningitis, encephalitis, tuberculosis and serious damage to the nervous system are possible.

Regarding the location of the headache,

then it is also different for each problem:

• forehead and eyebrow area: migraine, some eye diseases, inflammation of the sinuses, pneumonia;
• occipital region: neuralgia of the occipital nerve, spasm of the muscles of the head and neck, osteochondrosis, hypertension;
• forehead and temples: sinusitis, pneumonia, sore throat, flu, increased intracranial pressure;
• parietal region: migraine, muscle spasms of the head and neck, tumor processes.

In addition to various diseases, headaches can be caused by weather dependence, stressful situations, lack of sleep, and bad habits. In women, headaches often depend on the menstrual cycle. Men usually have headaches due to overwork, childhood headaches are associated with ARVI, and in old age headaches are caused by problems with the heart and blood vessels.

In any case, uncontrolled use of medications is unacceptable for headaches. If you have frequent headaches, be sure to consult a doctor and get tested to determine the cause.

Aspirin

The active ingredient in Aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid. We are sure that this drug is in every home medicine cabinet. “Aspirin” can be taken for inflammatory diseases, problems with cerebral circulation, hangover syndrome, to thin the blood (as a prevention of thrombosis). Aspirin is often prescribed in the complex treatment of vascular diseases. Contraindications include bleeding disorders, stomach and intestinal ulcers, etc.

Aspirin

Bayer Schering Pharma (Bayer), Germany

The drug Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties.
from 5

5.0 1 review

767

• Like
• Write a review

The best inexpensive headache medications

The most affordable medications are produced by Russian pharmaceutical companies. They are presented in tablets, sold in various quantities without prescriptions and do not require a doctor's prescription. In this category of the best headache remedies, 4 options can be highlighted.

Analgin 0.5 N20 tablet/Medisorb

This painkiller is interesting because of its low cost, availability in pharmacies and quick effect. The pain goes away literally immediately after taking it. It comes in the form of small white tablets that are easy to swallow with water. One piece is enough to eliminate even a severe migraine, which appears either out of nowhere or caused by toothache, hangover, fever, burns, insect bites, etc.

Analgin from this manufacturer rarely has side effects if all the rules in the instructions are followed. True, it contains so much information that not everyone dares to read it to the end. The drug is recommended by doctors as the best pain reliever for lumbago and other unpleasant sensations in the head caused by poor circulation, but it is also combined with vasodilating medications.

Advantages

• Price;
• Dispensed without a prescription;
• Shelf life: 5 years;
• Convenient release form;
• Tolerable taste.

Flaws

• Not suitable for pregnant women and lactation;
• Use with caution in patients with low blood pressure;
• It has many contraindications.

Practice shows that analgin is most often used for short-term use, and for long-term treatment it is better to choose other medications, for example, Mig.

Paracetamol from Pharmstandard, Russia

In our rating, this is the best headache drug in terms of price. It is produced in Russia, sold in packs of 20 pieces. If necessary, tablets can be taken by pregnant women without risk to the health of the child or their own. It is suitable for children, including those under 6 years old, so it will never be out of place in your first aid kit.

Symptoms of an overdose of Paracetamol are quite rare, only when the norm is exceeded. The medication has the necessary certificates for sale and helps with both acute and dull pain in the head. It is less toxic than analgin, which means it can be taken more often and in larger quantities, which is especially important for migraines caused by high blood pressure.

Advantages

• Has less negative impact on the liver than Analgin and Ibuprofen;
• Shelf life: 3 years;
• Effective for pain caused by colds, dental diseases, etc.;
• Action in 10-15 minutes;
• Long lasting result.

Flaws

• May make you feel drowsy after taking several tablets;
• Incompatibility with oral contraceptives, anticoagulants and other drugs.

According to customer reviews, the weaker the headache, the more pronounced and longer the effect of Paracetamol lasts.

Ibuprofen from Borisov plant, Russia

This is the best remedy for relieving headaches with numerous properties - antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory. The drug is absorbed without problems in the stomach and intestines, acts quickly and is excreted from the body in full. This minimizes the likelihood of negative effects on the liver, kidneys and cardiovascular system.

Ibuprofen can be used to treat migraines in children over 12 years of age, but it is not recommended for use in younger children. One package contains 50 tablets, which last for a long time. It has a shelf life of 3 years, the cost is affordable, and the effect is bright.

Advantages

• Large list of indications for use;
• Rare side effects;
• A large number of tablets in the package;
• Cheapness;
• Availability;
• Fast results;
• High concentration of active substance in one tablet.

Flaws

• Incompatibility with a large number of drugs;
• Do not use in the last trimesters of pregnancy.

Despite Ibuprofen being recognized as the best remedy for migraines, you should not take it with high blood pressure - it is not suitable for treating pain caused by hypertension.

Citramon from Pharmstandard, Russia

It is difficult to find a better product in terms of price, but its effect is vivid, the pain syndrome is eliminated gradually, but quickly. It helps with pain caused by fever and low blood pressure as it contains caffeine. One tablet combines analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes the drug universal.

The medication copes with both severe headaches and mild headaches. But, like most drugs, it has a number of contraindications. It combines paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid and caffeine for one price, and not a high one. The maximum daily dose that is safe for health is 6 tablets. It can be taken 2-3 times a day without consequences; side effects are extremely rare.

Advantages

• Good tolerance by the body;
• Fast absorption;
• Variety of action;
• Wide range of dosages;
• Suitable for pain caused by osteochondrosis.

Flaws

• Sometimes causes mild nausea;
• Increases the side effects of glucocorticoids.

Treatment of headaches with citramone requires constant monitoring of electrolyte and acid-base balance.

Paracetamol

This remedy is suitable for eliminating headaches of various etiologies and is well tolerated by the body. Paracetamol is an affordable and at the same time very effective antipyretic. An antipyretic drug for children, Panadol, is produced based on paracetamol. Paracetamol for headaches can be taken once, or up to four times a day. The duration of treatment should not exceed five days to prevent overdose.

Paracetamol MS

Medisorb, Russia

Paracetamol is used for: relieving moderate or mild pain (headache, toothache, migraine, sore throat, neuralgia, myalgia);
reducing elevated body temperature during colds and other infectious and inflammatory diseases. Paracetamol is intended for symptomatic therapy, reducing pain and inflammation at the time of use, does not affect the progression of the disease. from 2

5.0 1 review

148

• Like
• Write a review

Which headache medication is best to buy?

The drugs listed in the rating are dispensed in pharmacies by a pharmacist without a prescription. Long-term use, longer than a week, of even the best headache medications can lead to adverse reactions. It is recommended to discuss increasing doses with your doctor.

The following tips will help you choose among the proposed drugs:

• If they need to be used only to relieve headaches, then Analgin or Paracetamol will be quite sufficient.
• For migraines associated with low blood pressure, you will need a product containing caffeine - Citramon.
• In the case of ARVI and other inflammatory diseases, Ibuprofen will help best.
• If there are complaints of elevated body temperature, Mig or Tempalgin can help.
• For chronic migraine, treatment can include Spazmalgon or Sedalgin plus.

We have listed the most popular, accessible, effective and inexpensive migraine medications. It’s not easy to say which remedy is best for eliminating headaches; it wouldn’t hurt to have several types in your medicine cabinet.

Citramon

Citramon is one of the most frequently purchased and affordable headache medications. Take it if the headache is not severe (against the background of elevated temperature or inflammatory processes). "Citramon" improves vascular tone and stimulates blood circulation. These headache tablets contain caffeine, aspirin and paracetamol, that is, Citramon has a complex effect. But you should not take this drug for a long time so that “side effects” do not develop. The daily dose is a maximum of 8 tablets (no more than three days).

Citramon

JSC "Tatkhimfarmpreparaty", Russia; Anzhero-Sudzhensky Chemical and Pharmaceutical Plant, Russia; Pharmstandard-Leksredstva OJSC, Russia; PrJSC Pharmaceutical Company “DARNITSA”, Ukraine

The drug Citramon is an analgesic drug that has analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects.
The components that make up the drug enhance each other's effects. from 4

556

• Like
• Write a review

Tempalgin

A complex drug for headaches with a sedative effect. Consider this nuance if your work involves increased concentration. "Tempalgin" is good for relieving headaches of various types. These headache pills can be taken for headaches of varying severity. You can take no more than three Tempalgin tablets per day (if there is persistent pain). The duration of headache treatment should not exceed five days.

Tempalgin

Sopharma, Bulgaria

- moderate or mild pain syndrome (including headache, migraine, toothache, neuralgia, radicular syndrome, myalgia, arthralgia, algodismenorrhea), especially in patients with increased nervous excitability;
- mild pain of visceral origin (including renal, hepatic, intestinal colic) in combination with antispasmodic therapy; — pain syndrome after surgical and diagnostic interventions (as an adjuvant); - increased body temperature during colds and other infectious and inflammatory diseases. from 89

523

• Like
• Write a review

Pentalgin

"Pentalgin" is also a complex medicine that has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antipyretic effects. "Pentalgin" slows down the production of hormones that cause pain. Usually, taking one tablet is enough to relieve a headache. It is recommended not to exceed a dose of three Pentalgin tablets per day; you can be treated with this drug for no more than five days.

Pentalgin

OJSC Pharmstandard-Leksredstva, Russia

— pain syndrome of various origins, incl.
pain in joints, muscles, radiculitis, algodismenorrhea, neuralgia, toothache, headache (including those caused by cerebral vasospasm); — pain syndrome associated with spasm of smooth muscles, incl. for chronic cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, postcholecystectomy syndrome, renal colic; — post-traumatic and postoperative pain syndrome, incl. accompanied by inflammation; - colds accompanied by febrile syndrome (as symptomatic therapy). from 57

822

• Like
• Write a review

Types of headaches

The International Headache Society proposes to distinguish the following types of headaches:

1. Primary headaches, when it is not possible to identify the organic cause of pain - they account for 95–98% of headache cases
2. Secondary headaches associated with organic lesions of the brain or other organs
3. Cranial (cranial) neuralgia, central and primary facial pain, as well as other headaches

The most common types of headaches encountered in practice are:

1. Migraine
2. Tension headache (TTH)
3. Cluster headache (PHB)
4. Overuse headache (medication overuse headache, AHA)

Migraine is an episodic form of primary headache, which manifests itself as intense paroxysmal, often unilateral, headaches, in combination with various neurological, autonomic, and gastrointestinal manifestations. Migraine pain is severe, throbbing and pressing in nature, usually spreading to half of the head. Before an attack, there may be warning signs such as weakness, difficulty concentrating, and increased sensitivity to sound, light, and smells. During the attack itself, these manifestations may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fainting, increased heart rate, suffocation and other vegetative symptoms. There are also manifestations attributed to migraine aura - patients see flashes, flies, flickering or luminous objects, note unilateral loss of the visual field, unilateral weakness in the limbs, transient speech disorders.

Tension headache from the group of primary headaches manifests itself as a bilateral headache of a compressive or pressing nature of mild or moderate intensity, lasting from several minutes to several days. The pain spreads over the head in the form of a “hoop” and is rarely accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light or sound. Often headaches are accompanied by pain in the back of the head, neck and shoulders.

Cluster headache is a form of primary headache with attacks of very intense, strictly unilateral pain in the temporal region, around the eye, or mixed localization. The duration of attacks is from 15 minutes to 3 hours, attacks are repeated every 2 days or more often and are grouped in series in time (“clusters” or “bundles”). In this case, on the pain side, symptoms such as lacrimation, redness of the eye, nasal congestion and rhinorrhea, sweating of the forehead and face, drooping eyelid, and constriction of the pupil appear. The pain is very pronounced, sometimes unbearable so much that motor restlessness, aggression occur, and suicide attempts have been described.

Drug-induced, or abuse, headache from the group of secondary headaches is of a bilateral pressing nature and has insignificant or moderate intensity. An important criterion: it lasts more than 15 days per month in a patient who has been taking medications for more than 3 months (at least two weeks each month). Potentially dangerous drugs for headaches from excessive drug use include analgesics, NSAIDs and their combinations, triptans, ergotamine derivatives, opioids - those drugs that are used to treat other types of headache. Taking medications that are already effective against abusive headaches provides incomplete relief and forces you to continue taking them.

Spazgan

These head tablets relieve vasospasm, relieve inflammation and relieve pain. The effect of taking the drug occurs quickly and usually lasts 4-8 hours. And although Spazgan can be bought without a prescription and is indicated for many types of pain, it is still advisable to consult a doctor before taking it. This headache medication is usually taken as a one-time dose. If you need a different application regimen, be sure to read the instructions to avoid side effects.

Spazgan

Wockhardt, India

Mild or moderate pain syndrome due to spasms of the smooth muscles of internal organs - renal and hepatic colic, spastic pain along the intestines, algodismenorrhea.
Can be used for short-term symptomatic treatment of joint pain, neuralgia, sciatica, myalgia. As an adjuvant it can be used to reduce pain after surgical and diagnostic interventions. If necessary, the drug can be used to reduce elevated body temperature during colds and infectious and inflammatory diseases. from 97

5.0 1 review

962

• Like
• Write a review

Rating of the best headache remedies

The compilation of this TOP was made possible thanks to customer reviews, which allowed us to evaluate the drugs according to the following characteristics:

• Efficiency;
• Safety;
• Versatility;
• Price;
• Convenient release form;
• Taste;
• Tolerability by the body;
• Speed ​​of action;
• Duration of effect;
• Natural composition;
• Side effects;
• Cases of overdose.

We also decided to include a particular headache remedy in the rating based on price-quality ratio, availability in pharmacies, compatibility with other medications, expiration date and package volume.

Nurofen

A combined drug with anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic effects. Nurofen is a good pain reliever. If you have a migraine, and you don’t have the usual medications prescribed by a neurologist at hand, you can take Nurofen once. You can take no more than four tablets per day, with breaks between each dose of at least four hours. It is not advisable to take Nurofen for more than three days.

Nurofen Forte

Boots UK, UK

Headache;
migraine; toothache; algodismenorrhea; neuralgia; backache; myalgia; rheumatic pains; fever with influenza and ARVI. from 9

5.0 1 review

471

• Like
• Write a review

No-Shpa

Typically, No-Shpu is prescribed for tension headaches (stress, emotional or physical stress). This type of headache is usually mild and without throbbing. “No-Spa” is an antispasmodic that relaxes blood vessels and improves blood circulation. The therapeutic effect occurs literally 15 minutes after taking the tablet. You can take no more than two tablets at a time (no more than 8 per day). Moreover, you cannot take No-Shpu on your own for more than two days unless prescribed by a doctor.

No-shpa