Place | Name | Characteristics in the rating |
The best antispasmodics for headaches |
1 | Spasmalgon | Combined action |
2 | No-shpa | Fast action |
The best anti-inflammatory pills for headaches |
1 | Pentalgin | Powerful effect |
2 | Nise | Best analgesic effect |
3 | Nurofen | Prolonged action |
4 | Citramon | Best price |
The best analgesics for headaches |
1 | Moment | Instant results |
2 | Aspirin | Better digestibility |
3 | Ibuprofen | Wide range of applications |
4 | Analgin | The most affordable tablets |
Headache is one of the most common ailments of everyday life. It distracts from important activities and causes severe discomfort. To quickly get rid of migraines, medicine offers many remedies. Each acts differently and has individual indications for use.
There are times when the most expensive and effective (according to the manufacturer) medications are ineffective. To achieve the desired effect, it is first necessary to determine the source, nature and symptoms of pain. So:
- If the pain has a clear localization (temples or forehead, part of the head), then it is better to purchase sedatives.
- If it occurs against the background of vascular spasms, you should give preference to medications that include caffeine or analgin.
- No-spa or paracetamol is allowed to be used by pregnant and lactating women.
- For high blood pressure, citramon is often used to relieve pain.
- Migraine is considered a serious disease. Therapy is determined individually.
Do not forget that these characteristics allow you to select tablets to relieve a single pain symptom. If you are experiencing regular headaches, you should consult a doctor. He will prescribe appropriate treatment.
It is impossible to say unequivocally which drugs are better. However, in the rating we have collected the most prescribed medications, which have positive ratings from ordinary people and are recommended by most specialists.
There are contraindications. Consult your doctor.
Treatment of chronic headaches
Treatment of the original condition usually stops chronic headaches. Doctors at the Yusupov Hospital provide relief and prevention of pain attacks. Strategies for preventing headaches depend on the type. The list of drugs for treating headaches is long.
Preventive treatment is carried out with the following drugs:
- antidepressants (nortriptyline, fluoxetine);
- beta blockers (atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol - the best medications for headaches with high blood pressure);
- anticonvulsants (gabapentin, topiramate, depakote) that can prevent migraine attacks;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which include many drugs that have analgesic and anti-inflammatory, and sometimes pronounced antipyretic effects.
For severe and regular migraine attacks, headaches are treated with Botox injections. Reviews of botulinum toxin type A therapy are not bad.
For spastic pain - antispasmodics
For citramon and askofen, the main effect is analgesic, obtained through a combination of aspirin, paracetamol and caffeine. The latter (caffeine) has a vasoconstrictor and psychostimulating effect and therefore often helps with migraines. The tablets differ from each other in the dosage of the included components, and the slightly brownish color of citramon is due to the addition of cocoa powder to its composition as an excipient. Drugs containing caffeine and having the property of constricting blood vessels are NOT indicated for people who have a tendency to increase blood pressure , since due to the vasoconstrictor effect, blood pressure will rise further. Typically, patients suffering from arterial hypertension do not use these tablets for headaches, although after taking them the head may “calm down” for a while.
Headache caused by increased blood pressure requires the use of antihypertensive drugs. As a rule, hypertensive patients receive their treatment, but, nevertheless, their head hurts from time to time. In most cases, these are weather-dependent people with an unstable nervous system who react more quickly to unfavorable conditions. In such cases, vasodilators help, in particular antispasmodics, which relieve spasms of smooth muscles, relax them, dilate blood vessels, which results in an analgesic effect. That is why such a medicine for any pain as no-spa, drotaverine, is so popular among the people . Antispasmodics are designed to combat any spastic pain, regardless of its location (gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system, biliary tract, etc.) and, it should be noted, they cope with the task remarkably well.
In order to relieve headaches, quite often people try to drink spasmalgon faster. It really helps with tension headaches, hangover syndrome, the premenstrual period and other conditions associated with vasospasm. However, by dulling the manifestation of a symptom (in this case, headache), the antispasmodic is not able to eliminate the cause, therefore, if the patient notices that his body has stopped responding to the usual spasmalgon, then there is no point in raping him (the body). You just need to go to the doctor.
A doctor about vasodilation and its expediency (video)
How to choose a medicine
A list of additional headache pills that also do a good job.
- Tempalgin is a synthetic medicine with a combined effect. The composition includes 2 components: Analgin and Tempidone. Good for toothaches, muscle spasms and intestinal colic.
- Pentalgin - made on the basis of caffeine, amidopyrine and analgin. Quickly normalizes sleep and relieves headaches.
- Solpadeine - includes caffeine, paracetamol and phosphate.
In pharmacies you can find other analogues, ranging from the cheapest to expensive tablets. However, it doesn't always make sense to pay more for the same properties.
Painkillers can be taken for no more than 5 days. If an unbearable headache is combined with a temperature above 39 degrees, you need to call an ambulance. What to drink for a headache?
- If the cause of the malaise is overstrain of the neck muscle (myositis), you need to massage and take any drug with paracetamol, ibuprofen or acetylsalicylic acid.
- If your head hurts from high blood pressure, medications with acetylsalicylic acid are suitable. Caffeine medications help with low blood pressure.
- If the prerequisite is osteochondrosis or spondylosis, any non-narcotic painkillers with substances will do: paracetamol, ibuprofen or caffeine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTHvLmptw5Q
All medications have contraindications. Before use, you must carefully read the instructions. Do not exceed the dosage; do not mix painkillers from different groups with each other.
Increasing the dose or taking different painkillers does not enhance the effect of the drug, but increases the likelihood of side effects. Paracetamol-based headache remedies help:
- with weather sensitivity;
- migraine;
- with vascular spasms;
- psychosomatic pain caused by stress;
- when nerve endings and blood vessels are pinched due to osteochondrosis.
Paracetamol in its pure form (medicine paracetamol) is not contraindicated for pregnant women. This is a safe medicine for the head and quickly relieves symptoms. What pharmacological preparations contain paracetamol?
To relieve intense pain, medications containing paracetamol, codeine and phenobarbital are used. These painkillers affect your ability to drive and can be addictive if taken over a long period of time. They are usually prescribed when other drugs do not provide long-term effects, for example, for migraines. What to drink for a very debilitating headache?
It is important to remember that any painkiller can be used for no more than 1 week. If during this time the headache has not stopped, it means that the reasons are so serious that it is time to see a doctor. The combined drug Pentalgin Plus simultaneously contains:
- paracetamol;
- caffeine;
- codeine;
- propyphenazone;
- phenobarbital.
February 24, 2014
For each ailment, the doctor and the patient choose a strategy and tactics to combat it. For cerebral vascular spasms, medications containing analgin and vasodilators are suitable.
For hypotension, analgesics with caffeine are chosen. In case of hormonal disorders or stress that causes primary headache, other medications are needed.
Tablets for headaches complement the main treatment in case of changes in blood pressure, colds, osteochondrosis. Many painkillers contain one or two of the following ingredients:
- paracetamol;
- acetylsalicylic acid;
- metamizole sodium;
- ketorolac;
- nimesulide;
- ibuprofen.
Headache is a symptom known to everyone. A person who is tormented by pain becomes lethargic, apathetic, unable to work and communicate with people.
Headache occurs for many different reasons, which to a certain extent prevents complete treatment.
When there is no opportunity to visit a doctor, but you need to get rid of a headache, the question of choosing a universal remedy arises. The list of headache pills includes medications with different mechanisms of action. Analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often used. They have a wide range of indications and are able to eliminate painful ailments of any origin.
Popular combination products:
- Nurofen Plus.
The drug is characterized by a pronounced analgesic effect. The main component is Ibuprofen, the effect of which is enhanced by Codeine. Nurofen Plus contains a small amount of Codeine, since this substance is a narcotic analgesic, and taking in large quantities can cause addiction. Headache medications - Citramon. A well-known medicine for headaches, which has a combined composition. The analgesic effect is provided by Acetylsalicylic acid. The medicine also contains caffeine, which has a tonic effect. To eliminate pain, it is enough to take 1-2 tablets.
- Spasmalgon. The combined composition combines antispasmodic and analgesic components. Thanks to this, the medicine can be used for any form of headache. For some diseases, the medication is prescribed for long-term use, but during this period systematic blood sampling is required for analysis.
- Pentalgin. The medicine contains an analgesic substance in combination with caffeine and codeine. It is also characterized by an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic effect, and improves the condition of the nervous system. To relieve pain, take 1 tablet three times a day.
- Tempalgin. The composition includes an analgesic and antispasmodic component, so the drug can be used for pain syndromes of various etiologies. Used for short-term symptomatic treatment. Long-term use leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of the medicine.
In general, there are a large number of drugs with a combined composition that are effective in treating headaches.
It is impossible to find a better pain reliever for headaches, since each person’s body is individual. To choose the right medicine, you need to consult a specialist in order to exclude dangerous diseases.
There are many different painkillers, but no doctor can accurately answer the question: which headache pills are best to take.
Medicines for headaches can be divided into 3 groups, depending on the main active ingredient:
- Acetylsalicylic acid - or aspirin, is included in many medicines; it is one of the most powerful over-the-counter painkillers. Aspirin helps relieve any pain, but its main effect is anti-inflammatory, so taking medications in this group is indicated for the treatment of pain caused by inflammation, such as various joint diseases, phlebitis, pleurisy, tonsillitis, sprains and neuritis. The mechanism of action of acetylsalicylic acid is associated with suppression of the inflammatory response, anti-edematous effect and blockade of pain centers in the brain. Taking aspirin is strictly prohibited for stomach diseases, reduced blood clotting, bronchial asthma and a tendency to allergic diseases, pregnant and lactating women and children under 3 years of age.
- Analgin and amidopyrine are among the very first painkillers; today analgin is not recommended for use due to the large number of side effects, but it is still quite popular. Amidopyrine and analgin are universal painkillers; they affect the nervous system and block the transmission of pain impulses, in addition, they have a pronounced anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect. Contraindicated in cases of severe heart disease, kidney disease, a decrease in the number of leukocytes, pregnancy and breastfeeding. Children under 8 years of age and people with bronchial asthma are not recommended to take them.
- Paracetamol is the safest drug, used primarily as an antipyretic drug, and as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory drug it is much inferior to the other 2 groups. The main contraindication is severe kidney and liver disease.
- Analgin is a synthetic drug with pronounced analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties. Used for headaches, joint and muscle pain. It is recommended to take 1 tablet 2-3 times a day after meals.
- Citramon is a combined drug, it contains: acetylsalicylic acid, caffeine, phenacetin, cocoa powder, citric acid and sugar. Thanks to the complex action of the components, it relieves pain and inflammatory syndromes well. For headaches of unknown origin, it is the drug of choice. To relieve a pain attack, it is recommended to take 1 tablet. If necessary, increase the dose: 1-2 tablets 3 times a day.
- Tempalgin is a combined synthetic drug containing analgin and tempidone. In addition to the analgesic effect, it has antispasmodic properties, recommended for neuritis, headache and toothache, muscle spasms, kidney and intestinal colic. The dose of tempalgin is 1 tablet 1-3 times a day.
- Solpadeine is a complex drug based on paracetamol, which also contains caffeine and codeine phosphate, and has a strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. Use 1-2 tablets or capsules 4 times a day.
- Pentalgin is a complex drug that contains analgin, amidopyrine, codeine, caffeine and phenobarbital. In addition to the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, it helps normalize sleep. Take 1 tablet 2-3 times a day.
In any pharmacy you can see many different names of headache pills. But, if you carefully study their composition, then, in most cases, it will contain all the same active ingredients, and the rest will be various additives and flavorings.
If pain constantly haunts you, and painkillers have become necessary every day, then this is a reason to suspect an abusive headache and treat it with completely different methods.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the familiar Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Nurofen and their analogues. As you can already understand from the name of the class, such tablets help not only with headaches, but also relieve inflammation and also have an antipyretic effect.
They are recommended to be taken for headaches accompanying the flu, feverish conditions, and any inflammatory processes in the body. The action begins quite quickly and lasts for several hours.
But in case of chronic pain syndrome, such drugs should not be taken - they have a number of contraindications and negatively affect the digestive tract.
Advantages
- They are available and very inexpensive.
- NSAIDs can be purchased at any pharmacy without a doctor's prescription.
- The effect begins to be felt within 15–30 minutes after the drug enters the digestive tract, and it lasts up to eight hours.
Flaws
- Any NSAIDs should be taken only when the stomach is full to avoid irritation of the mucous membrane and unwanted complications.
- A single dose is one or two tablets or capsules (depending on the dosage of the active substance).
- These drugs are not used for long-term, systemic therapy: they do not eliminate the root cause of the disease, but only reduce its manifestations, in particular, fever and pain.
- NSAIDs have a number of contraindications and, in large doses, have a negative effect on the digestive organs, kidneys and liver.
The drugs of choice are drugs based on paracetamol and ibuprofen. If the patient is hypersensitive to these substances or simply does not have them on hand, a less effective but more affordable aspirin and its analogues can be used. The most common and effective medications from this group are described below.
Usually they are used only when treating a patient in a hospital setting, since constant medical supervision is required. For headaches accompanying a prolonged depressive state, Amitriptyline is prescribed.
In other cases, Zapmigren, Amigren and analogues can be used. These drugs have a very strong effect on the nervous system and are addictive, so in no case should you start taking them yourself, even with a doctor’s prescription.
Cheap and at the same time common anti-hangover pills are activated charcoal and aspirin. Lignin-based sorbent preparations are also good - Polyphepan, Liferan, Lingosorb. Lignin-based sorbents help well not only with a hangover, but also if taken immediately after alcohol.
Drugs that are not harmful or less dangerous to the stomach, but at the same time can eliminate headaches, include drugs based on Paracetamol - Panadol, Parallen, Combispasm. Nosh-pa and Baralgin also eliminate headaches, but paracetamol-based tablets are more effective, as they are suitable for both adults and children.
1. Paracetamol MS 0.5 N20 TABLE. – price 17 rubles; 2. Centramon Renewal 20 pcs. – 51 rubles; 3. Pentalgin Pharmstandard 24 pcs. – 167 rubles; 4. Solpadeine Fast 12 pcs. – 94 rubles;
Painkiller and antipyretic tablets are prescribed: Paracetamol, Ibuklin, since these drugs are low toxic. Analgesic drugs include Aspirin, Ketanov, Nise, Baralgin.
It would be ideal if your attending physician would tell you all the nuances of different medications and help you make the best choice, but how often do you find such wonderful doctors? In the pharmacy the situation is even worse; you can’t rely on the integrity of the pharmacists, so it’s important to figure out for yourself which pill is best to take for a headache.
Let's agree that today we will consider the case of episodic pain, when a single dose of the drug will get rid of the problem and you will be back on track. If the pain is constant and severe, localized in one part of the head, you will still have to contact a specialist.
Without a diagnosis, even the best headache pills (according to your friends and acquaintances) will turn out to be of little use and even harmful, since they will hide the symptoms of dangerous diseases.
Do you need to pay extra for an advertised title? Will a more expensive product help more effectively than a cheaper analogue? The choice of painkiller is made based on the annotation, not advertising, so find out:
- not only indications for use, but also contraindications;
- what is the main substance in the medicine;
- combination with other drugs;
- dosage and method of administration.
For headaches of moderate intensity, you can take tablets that contain only one active ingredient. The packaging always indicates the composition with specific numbers in mg, while the excipients are simply listed.
Let's look at the example of the popular tablets Panadol and Panadol Extra. If it is written that 1 tablet contains paracetamol 500 mg and then follows corn starch, potassium sorbate, stearic acid, glyceryl triacetate, etc. without a dosage, then there is only one active ingredient - paracetamol.
If the composition: 1 tablet contains 500 mg of paracetamol, 65 mg of caffeine, then this drug contains two active substances.
Simple but good painkillers for headaches have the following active substance:
- paracetamol - Paracetamol, Calpol, Panadol, Efferalgan, Daleron, Flutabs, Strimol and many others;
- acetylsalicylic acid - Acetylsalicylic acid, Aspirin, Upsarin;
- metamizole sodium - Analgin;
- ibuprofen – Ibuprofen, Nurofen, Brufen, Solpaflex, Bonifen, Deblock, Faspik, Advil, Ibalgin, etc.
Which pill is better to take for headache pain: paracetamol or analgin, aspirin or ibuprofen? Each drug has its own indications for use, side effects and contraindications:
- When taking acetylsalicylic acid, it is important to watch the dosage, because this active substance is used not only as an analgesic and antipyretic, but also to thin the blood, but in small doses. Aspirin is not used for gastrointestinal problems and may be dangerous for children under 15 years of age.
- Analgin is prohibited in many countries, as it disrupts the functioning of the liver and the process of hematopoiesis. Our doctors do not refuse it, but it is prohibited for persons under 18 years of age.
- Paracetamol, compared to analgin and aspirin, has much fewer side effects; in the appropriate dosage, it is allowed for children to reduce fever. If the headache is due to a hangover, then paracetamol is excluded, since its interaction with alcohol poses a threat to the liver.
- Ibuprofen has recently been increasingly prescribed in cases where paracetamol was previously used. It is well tolerated, but it is important not to exceed the daily dose.
There is an established opinion that the best remedies for headaches are tablets that contain several active substances. Of course, such drugs almost always have a positive effect, but what is hidden behind this? Are they safe?
Consider regular Citramon. It belongs to the so-called triads, as it has three active components - analgesics (acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol) and caffeine.
The result is achieved due to caffeine, which simultaneously enhances and prolongs the effect. Panadol Extra, which contains only two components - paracetamol and caffeine, also relieves headaches well, which means there is no big difference - two or three components.
The best tablets for headaches and migraines almost always contain caffeine, which affects vascular tone. These are Citramon P, Citrapar, Excedrin, Coficil-Plus, Citrapak, Aquacitramon, Gevadal, Novalgin, Flucomp Extratab, Saridon.
Painkillers with codeine
There may be even more active components, and these will already be fives. The composition will contain one or two types of analgesics, caffeine, phenobarbital (sleeping pills) and codeine. These are the most dangerous medications for people who self-medicate, but they have the largest range and are extremely popular.
The effect is given by codeine, which itself anesthetizes and enhances the work of analgesics. Caffeine and sleeping pills also increase the results. The following drugs are for the most severe headaches; for ordinary pain they are redundant:
- Pentalgin - codeine, caffeine and phenobarbital enhance metamizole sodium and paracetamol;
- Santotitralgin – contains metamizole (analgin), codeine, caffeine, phenobarbital;
- Caffetin - paracetamol, codeine, caffeine, propyphenazone;
- Solpadeine – paracetamol, codeine, caffeine;
- Nurofen plus – ibuprofen, codeine.
There are most of these drugs on the shelves of our pharmacies, they are very expensive, and an ignorant person will consider them the best choice, because health is the most important and important thing, which means you can’t spare money on it, but not in this case.
Be smart! Severe headaches, especially persistent ones, should not be treated with the help of recommendations from pharmacists and advertising on TV and the Internet. If the problem is solved only by taking medications for severe pain, then consult a doctor immediately, as the problem may be a more serious illness.