Treatments
There are two goals when treating any type of headache: prevent future attacks; abort or relieve current pain. Prevention includes taking prescribed medications, avoiding or minimizing the causes, and learning self-help measures, such as biofeedback or relaxation exercises. If your doctor suggests medications, you should realize that they may take several weeks to become effective and they can have side effects. Thus, you must be patient and cooperate with your doctor to find the optimal treatment.Preventive Treatment/Chronic Headaches
As you review these, remember that all medications have side effects, and you should discuss them with your doctor.
NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents)
Fenoprofen
Flurbiprofen
Ketoprofen
Naproxen
Nabumetone
Oxaprozine
Antidepressants -- Tricyclics (non-sedating)
Protriptyline
Desipramine
Antidepressants -- Tricyclics (sedating)
Amitriptyline
Doxepin
Nortriptyline
Imipramine
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
These antidepressants act only on the neurotransmitter serotonin.
Sertraline
Paroxetine
Nefazodone
Venlafazine
Citalopram and Escilatopram
Others
Trazodone
Bupropion
Phenelzine (MAOI — Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor)
Abortive Treatment/Chronic Headaches
All over-the-counter and prescription medications can have side effects. Over-using medications, beyond the labeling instructions and doctor’s prescription, can lead to dependence and rebound headaches, a subject that is addressed in our Web Site section, "Other Types of Headaches: Rebound."
NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents).
Ibuprofen
Diclofenac
Ketorolac
Flurbiprofen
Meclofenate
Muscle Relaxants/Analgesics
Carisoprodol
Orphenadrine citrate
Chlorzoxazone
Methocarbamol
Cyclobenzaprine HCL
Metaxalone
Baclofen
Other
Isometheptene mucate-Dichloralphenazone-Acetaminophen combinations
Self-Help Therapies: Chronic Tension-Type and Migraine Headaches
Your doctor may suggest self-help measures for your headache; these are discussed separately after the next section on migraine headaches.
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