How Much Ibuprofen Can I Take For A Migraine

Ibuprofen Offers Relief For Many With Migraine Headaches

Date:

Center for Advancing Health

Summary:

For many people suffering from migraine headaches, over-the-counter ibuprofen — Advil and Motrin are well-known brands — might be enough to relieve the pain.

For many people suffering from migraine headaches, over-the-counter ibuprofen — Advil and Motrin are well-known brands — might be enough to relieve the pain.

A new Cochrane review finds that about half of those with migraine headaches will have pain relief within two hours after taking ibuprofen.

“We knew that many migraineurs rely on over-the-counter medication to treat attacks and surveys show that while some find them helpful, many are dissatisfied,” said review co-author Sheena Derry of the Pain Research and Nuffield Department of Anaesthetics at the University of Oxford.

Migraine headache is intense throbbing pain on one side of the head, and an attack can last anywhere between four and 72 hours. Symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, aura and increased sensitivity to light and sound often accompany migraines.

The systematic review was published by The Cochrane Collaboration, an international organization that evaluates medical research. Systematic reviews draw evidence-based conclusions about medical practice after considering both the content and quality of existing medical trials on a topic.

The reviewers found little information comparing ibuprofen with other medications and no information comparing the effectiveness of ibuprofen combined with an antiemetic.

What Are The Side Effects Of Taking Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen does have some side effects. For most people these are mild and are not bothersome.

However, some people may experience more serious reactions. See the ibuprofen risk section below for more information on the significant risks of ibuprofen.

Before taking ibuprofen talk with your doctor about:

• your migraine symptoms

• drink more than 3 alcoholic drinks daily
• take ibuprofen longer than recommended

Dont take ibuprofen if youve ever had an allergic reaction to this type of medication .

Taking ibuprofen too often for migraine may lead to overuse rebound headaches. According to Harvard Health Publishing, taking ibuprofen or other OTC pain medication for more than 15 days per month for migraine can increase your risk for rebound headache.

Some Drugs Should Rarely Be Used

Migraine attacks can last for hoursor even days. They can cause intense pain, nausea, and vomiting. They can make you sensitive to light or noise, and they can affect your life and work.

To treat migraines, you may get a prescription for an opioid or a barbiturate called butalbital. These are pain medicines. But you should think twice about using these drugs. Heres why:

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Stop That Splitting Headache

30 million Americans suffer from migraines each year

Half of those can’t do household chores or attend social functions because of pain

Migraines are a neurological disorder with triggers ranging from stress to certain foods

About once a month, usually around my period, I start feeling sort of off. My neck gets tight and achy, and I cant think as clearly as usual, like my mental gears are gummed up.

That slow-brain feeling, Ive learned over the years, is not a good sign. It means Im about to get a migraine. Its my cue to be careful to steer clear of red wine and sugar, two sure triggers when Im in that sensitive state, and to get enough rest since lack of sleep can tip me over the edge, too.

Even so, if anything in my routine is out of whack if I dont eat often enough, or if I become overly stressed I can count on one or two days of misery. Head-pounding, nauseated, verge-of-tears misery.

Sound bad? Compared to many of the 30 million migraine sufferers in the U.S., my experience is fairly mild. Several years ago, the massive American Migraine Prevalence and Prevention Study found that half of those who struggle with migraines cant do household chores and a third forgo family or social activities.

Theyre more common than we used to think, Charles says. Nearly 48% of all women will have a migraine at some point in their lives.

Pre-headache: Prevent it

Side Effects Of Ibuprofen

Ibuprofen can cause a number of side effects. You should take the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time needed to control your symptoms.

See the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine for a full list of side effects.

Common side effects of ibuprofen include:

• nausea or vomiting
• indigestion or abdominal pain

Less common side effects include:

• headache or dizziness
• allergic reactions such as a rash
• worsening of asthma symptoms by causing narrowing of the airways
• kidney failure
• black stools and blood in your vomit this can indicate bleeding in your stomach

If you feel unwell after taking ibuprofen or have concerns, speak to your GP or pharmacist, or phone the NHS 24 111 service.

You can also report suspected side effects using the Yellow Card Scheme.

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Other Types Of Headaches

Headaches also can be caused by other conditions or situations. These are often short-lived and easily treated. For example:

Sinus headaches. A sinus infection can cause pain over the forehead, around the nose and eyes, over the cheeks, or in the upper teeth. When the infection resolves, the pain disappears.

Brain freezes. Some people develop a sharp, sudden headache when they eat or drink something cold. The pain usually goes away within a few minutes. If this is a common problem, try to warm the cold food at the front of your mouth before swallowing.

Exercise headaches. Strenuous exercise can sometimes trigger a headache. Make sure you are well hydrated before and after exercise. Taking an OTC anti-inflammatory beforehand also may help.

Who Can And Cant Take Advil

Some brands of Advil-Migraine tablets, capsules and syrup contain aspartame, colors , gelatin, glucose, lactose, sodium, sorbitol, soya or sucrose, so they may be unsuitable for some people.

Dont take Advil-Migraine by mouth if you:

• have had an allergic reaction to Advil-Migraine or any other medicines in the past
• have previously had a reaction, such as asthma, a raised, itchy red rash , swelling underneath your skin or swelling of the inside of your nose
• have taken aspirin or any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
• have asthma or another allergic illness
• are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or if youre breastfeeding

To make sure Advil-Migraine is safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have:

• had bleeding in your stomach, a stomach ulcer, or a perforation in your stomach
• a health problem that means you have an increased chance of bleeding
• liver problems, such as liver fibrosis, cirrhosis or liver failure
• heart disease or severe heart failure
• kidney failure
• Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis
• chickenpox or shingles taking Advil-Migraine can increase the chance of certain infections and skin reactions

Read Also: How To Prevent A Migraine When You Feel It Coming On

When To Worry About A Headache

Most headaches respond to self-care, OTC pain relievers, or medication your doctor prescribes. For some headaches, though, its best to promptly seek medical advice. Warning signs include a headache that:

• is unusually severe or steadily worsens
• follows a blow to the head
• is accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, decreased alertness or memory, or neurological symptoms such as visual disturbances, slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or seizures.

Medications To Relieve Headache Symptoms

How do symptomatic relief medications work?

These medicines help you find relief from the symptoms that may come with headaches, such as pain, nausea and vomiting. Some of these medicines are available over the counter. Others require a prescription.

Try to avoid:

• Foods, beverages and medications containing caffeine when taking these medications.
• Medications containing barbiturates or narcotics , if possible.
• Medications with aspirin, for young children.

Can a child take medications to relieve headache symptoms?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved many of these medications for children. Talk to your healthcare provider if your child has headaches or migraines.

What OTC medications can relieve headache symptoms?

These medications provide relief from headache symptoms, without a prescription:

Generic name: Aspirin

• Brand name: Bayer®, Bufferin®, Ecotrin®.
• Symptoms relieved: Fever and pain.
• Precautions and possible side effects: Heartburn, gastrointestinal bleeding, bronchospasm or constriction that causes narrowing of the airways, anaphylaxis and peptic ulcer. Dont give aspirin to children under 14 years old. It can cause a rare but serious disease called Reyes syndrome.

Generic name: Acetaminophen, paracetamol

• Brand name: Tylenol®.
• Symptoms relieved: Fever and pain.
• Precautions and possible side effects: Changes in blood counts and liver function, but side effects are rare if medication is taken as directed.

Generic name: Ibuprofen

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Are There Any Side Effects To Taking Bayer Aspirin

Our Bayer Aspirin Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Drugs For Migraine Prevention

If you have 4 or more migraine days each month, you may take these drugs regularly to keep migraine attacks from happening. They lessen the number of headaches you have and how severe they are.

You have to follow your doctorâs directions for them to work. Your doctor may need to change the medications and adjust how much you take to figure out what works best for you.

While youâre taking these drugs, write down how often you have headaches and how bad they are to help your doctor judge how well they are working. Most need days or weeks to take full effect.

Once your headaches are under control for 6 months or a year, you might be able to taper off or stop these drugs. Your doctor will advise you.

The medications listed include both over-the-counter and prescription drugs. They aren’t habit-forming, but any medication can have side effects. Your doctor will adjust the dosage to give you the most relief with the fewest side effects.

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How It Works Safety Considerations And More

• Ibuprofen and Pregnancy

When you have a headache that’s severe enough to require medication, chances are you reach for an over-the-counter painkiller like ibuprofen. This familiar non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, is effective for some headaches.

Ibuprofen is available over the counter as well as by prescription. As an OTC product, it’s sold under the brand names Advil and Motrin. It’s also available in generic and store-brand forms, which often are less expensive.

Why Does Excedrin Work So Well

In Excedrin Migraine, caffeine works to narrow blood vessels in your brain. This decreases the amount of blood that can flow through the blood vessels at one time. This action helps combat headaches, which happen when blood vessels widen. Caffeine also helps relieve a headache if its caused by caffeine withdrawal.

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What You Can Do To Use Otc Pain Relievers Responsibly

Take ONLY 1 medicine that contains the same kind of medicinal ingredient at a time. Why?

• If you take more than 1 medicine that contains an NSAID, it can increase your risk of stomach bleeding

• If you take Aspirin® for daily preventive therapy, ibuprofen may decrease that heart health benefit

• If you take more than 1 medicine that contains acetaminophen, it increases your chance of taking too much, and that could cause serious or potentially fatal liver damage

Check your medicines. Hundreds of over-the-counter and prescription medicines contain the same kind of medicinal ingredient.

Remember: It is important to always read and follow the label. If you have any questions or are unsure which pain reliever may be appropriate for you, talk with your healthcare professional.

When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider About A Headache

If you have these symptoms, see your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room:

• Feeling that youre having the worst headache ever.
• Headache that comes with vision loss, vomiting or loss of consciousness.
• Headache pain lasting more than 72 hours, with less than four pain-free hours in a row while awake.
• Feeling that something is off or not right.

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Medicines For Nausea With Migraine

e.g. prochlorperazine

e.g. prochlorperazine tablets or suppositories , metoclopramide , domperidone

• only available without prescription for treatment of nausea associated with migraine
• can cause drowsiness, so do not drive or operate machinery while taking, and avoid alcohol
• rare side effects include face or muscle twitches if this happens, stop taking it and see your pharmacist
• tablets are not suitable for children
• should be used with an analgesic for migraine

What Drink Helps Headaches

Drink Caffeinated Tea or Coffee Sipping on beverages that contain caffeine, such as tea or coffee, may provide relief when you are experiencing a headache. Caffeine improves mood, increases alertness and constricts blood vessels, all of which can have a positive effect on headache symptoms .Feb 4, 2018

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What Aspirin Should I Take For A Headache

Aspirin, in high doses from 900 to 1300 mg, was shown to be an effective and safe treatment option for acute migraine headaches, with further research showing its potential efficacy in preventing recurrent migraine headaches through lower doses of 81 to 325 mg, according to a November review published in The American Dec 3, 2019

Which Pain Reliever Works The Best

Study results can be a starting point to figure out what works best for you. But remember, what worked in a group of study participants may or may not be the best option for you.

In trials, NSAIDs generally work better than acetaminophen.2 Without head-to-head trials comparing the NSAIDs, it is difficult to say which one might work best.2 You could decide which to take based on cost, side effects, and availability.

The combination of acetaminophen/aspirin/caffeine has been proven to treat migraine. One trial compared acetaminophen/aspirin/caffeine with ibuprofen to treat severe migraine pain.3 Both treatments worked better than placebo . Acetaminophen/aspirin/caffeine relieved pain better than ibuprofen as early as 45 minutes after taking it. The benefits continued through 4 hours after treatment.

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What Is A Patient Information Leaflet And Why Is It Useful

The Patient Information Leaflet is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.

Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet.The original leaflet can be viewed using the link above.

The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD.For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000.The product code for this leaflet is: PL12063/0071 .

Boots Migraine Pain Relief 342mg Tablets

Patient Information Leaflet

Boots Migraine Pain Relief 342 mg Tablets

Ibuprofen Lysine

Read this leaflet carefully because it contains important information for you.

• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.
• You must contact a doctor or pharmacist if your symptoms worsen or do not improve.

In this leaflet:

1. What this medicine is for2. Before you take the medicine3. How to take the medicine4. Possible side effects6. Further information

1. WHAT THIS MEDICINE IS FOR

This medicine contains ibuprofen lysine which is the lysine salt of ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is one of a group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs which work to reduce pain, fever and swelling.

This medicine is used to relieve:

2. BEFORE YOU TAKE THE MEDICINE

Skin reactions

Rare

Cautions With Other Medicines

Advil-Migraine doesnt mix well with some medicines.

Advil-Migraine applied to the skin is less likely to interfere with other medicines than if its taken by mouth.

For safety, tell your doctor if youre taking these medicines before you start taking Advil-Migraine by mouth or on your skin:

• blood-thinning medicines such as warfarin
• anti-inflammatory painkillers such as aspirin, diclofenac, mefenamic acid and naproxen
• medicines for high blood pressure
• steroid medicines such as betamethasone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone or prednisolone
• antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, nalidixic acid, norfloxacin or ofloxacin
• antidepressants such as citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, venlafaxine, paroxetine or sertraline
• diabetes medicines such as gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide and tolbutamide

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Nausea Drugs For Migraines

Many people who have migraines often have nausea and vomiting along with head pain. Those symptoms usually get better when you treat the migraine. But sometimes, the nausea and vomiting are bad enough to keep a person from taking their migrainemedications. In these cases, a nausea drug can ease your symptoms so you can get the treatment you need.

Most nausea medicines come in pill form, but if the problem is severe, you can take them as a rectal suppository.

Does Chocolate Help Migraines

When enjoyed in moderation, dark chocolate has a whole array of health benefits some of which might even help prevent migraines in a round-about way. Several studies have found that eating cocoa-containing foods helps lower blood pressure, which is important to note since high blood pressure is linked to migraines.Dec 3, 2019

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