9 best remedies for headaches

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

Headache is one of the most serious problems in clinical medicine. Only the brain cannot ache in the head, since it does not contain any receptors. All of them are located on the periphery, and therefore, during operations, thin electrodes can be inserted into the substance of the brain, and the patient is fully conscious, without experiencing any pain. All other tissues are supplied with pain receptors to varying degrees.

In the head, the skin, subcutaneous tissue and periosteum, meninges and blood vessels may hurt. The cause of headache can be neuralgia of the occipital nerves and trigeminal nerve, migraine and severe vascular spasm, infectious and inflammatory conditions such as meningitis, odontogenic irradiation, or toothache.

The cause of headache is often otitis media, sinusitis, ethmoiditis, frontal sinusitis, or inflammatory diseases of the ENT organs. Finally, high or low blood pressure, glaucoma, and even chronic stress and depression, parasitic abscesses, meningitis and tumors can lead to headaches.

All this makes the problem of headache quite complicated, and even a competent and experienced doctor sometimes takes more than one day to understand the causes of this pathological condition. That is why the rating of the best drugs for headache can be built only on their belonging to groups by action. It is clear that there is no, and cannot be, drugs 'apart' from a stabbing, aching, squeezing or boring headache – you need to know its cause.

So, for meningitis, antibiotics are the ideal remedy, since they destroy pathogenic microorganisms – the cause of the disease, and for migraines, ergotamine or sumatriptan will be required. But these are extreme cases. The largest number of over-the-counter headache drugs are either nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compounds (NSAIDs), combination drugs, or pain relievers directly. Therefore, first of all, we will consider precisely these funds. We'll also mention a few prescription drugs – these are prescription drugs because they contain codeine.

Rating of the best headache pills

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs	1	Paracetamol	121 RUB
	2	Aspirin, ASA, acetylsalicylic acid	270 RUB
	3	Mig 400, ibuprofen	135 RUB
Analgesics	1	Ketorolac (Ketanov, Ketorol, Ketolac, Adolor, Dolak, Ketofril)	233 r
	2	Analgin (metamizole sodium)	RUB 29
	3	Nalgezin and Nalgezin – Forte (naproxen)	257 r
Combined headache remedies	1	Kaffetin	122 RUB
	2	Pentalgin-plus	124 RUB
	3	Citramon-Forte (Askofen-P, Kofitsil-Plus)	94 r

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

There are several tens, or even hundreds of varieties of these drugs in the world, the ancestor of which is the well-known aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid. All non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have three properties: they are analgesic or analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic. In different representatives, these properties are expressed to varying degrees, so here we will consider those drugs that most help to eliminate headache attacks.

It should be said in advance about the most well-known side effect of these drugs, which manifests itself in the occurrence of an increased risk of stomach or duodenal ulcers, erosive gastritis and in a violation of the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, which is called ulcerogenic action.

An ulcerogenic, or ulcer-forming effect develops with prolonged use of high doses of NSAIDs, as well as in patients with an existing predisposition, such as already having a peptic ulcer or gastritis. Therefore, these patients should definitely consult a doctor before starting to take the drugs included in the rating.

Another way out is to take special proton pump blockers together with NSAIDs, which will protect the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum from the harmful effects of drugs. An example of such a gastroprotective drug is ordinary omeprazole.

Finally, patients should be warned against believing in the so-called 'enteric' tablet form. Manufacturers claim that if the drug is protected by a special acid-resistant membrane, and dissolves and is absorbed not in the stomach, but further in the intestine (for example, as 'cardiac' aspirin – Cardiomagnet), then this supposedly can protect the gastric mucosa from harmful effects. Alas, this is not true.

It has been proven that the same aspirin has an ulcerogenic effect systemically, that is, being already dissolved and in the blood. Therefore, it does not matter in what shell the active substance is located, and the fact that it dissolves not in the stomach, but in the intestine, will in no way help to protect the mucous membrane. The whole point is to take the drugs for headache, included in the rating, in the shortest possible courses and in the lowest dosages.

Paracetamol

Rating: 4.9

Paracetamol and its numerous analogues, for example, children's Panadol, Kalpol and other drugs are a reliable assistant for eliminating tension headaches and vascular headaches, both in adults and children. This drug is indicated for pain emanating from the ENT organs, for rhinitis and sinusitis, for odontogenic pain, the source of which is sick teeth, for migraine and other conditions.

Paracetamol has a strong antipyretic effect, therefore it is indicated for the treatment of the headache that is a symptom of a febrile condition, for example, with the flu. The analgesic effect of paracetamol is also quite good, although it is not so pronounced, but its anti-inflammatory effect is almost absent. Therefore, taking paracetamol for joint diseases, rheumatism and other similar conditions is practically pointless. Most often, paracetamol is available in tablets of 500 mg of active ingredient in each. Adults need to take paracetamol no more than two tablets four times a day. Reception of more than 4 grams of paracetamol per day for an adult is contraindicated, since in high doses it has a harmful effect on the liver, even causing hepatocyte necrosis in rare cases.

Advantages and disadvantages

Paracetamol is so popular that it is available not only in tablets, but also in suspensions, in syrup and even in rectal suppositories for children. This allows you to take it even if the child refuses to eat and drink due to severe intoxication or high fever. A very important positive quality is wide availability and low price. So, 20 tablets of paracetamol 500 mg each can be bought even at a price lower than 10 rubles.

The negative aspects of various analogues of paracetamol include the need for careful use in case of impaired liver and kidney function, as well as a limitation in dosage. As mentioned above, you can use it no more than 4 times a day.

Aspirin, ASA, acetylsalicylic acid

Rating: 4.8

It should be said right away that the rating of anesthetic drugs includes only forms of acetylsalicylic acid, which are taken in concentrations significantly exceeding 75 mg in a single dose. The standard dosage of one tablet is 500mg. Low-dose ASA preparations (50 mg, 75 mg, 100 mg per tablet) belong to the so-called 'cardiac aspirins', whose task is to have an antiplatelet effect, or, as they say, to 'thin the blood' and prevent blood clots, thereby preventing heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, for a headache, you should not buy drugs such as Cardiasc, Thrombo ACC, Cardiomagnyl, and other acetylsalicylic acid in low doses. As for the really working drugs of acetylsalicylic acid with an analgesic effect, among them we can list: aspirin, aspirin UPSA, Aspro – C and many other drugs.

It is very important to remember that without exception, all preparations containing acetylsalicylic acid in any form, from suppositories and tablets to suspension and syrup, are categorically contraindicated in children under 12 years of age. And it doesn't matter that the baby may have fever, pain, which are a direct indication for admission in adults. Aspirin is categorically contraindicated at an early age, due to the possible development of rare, but very severe and often fatal complications.

In adults, aspirin is good for colds headaches that are combined with fever, neuralgia and neuritis, toothache, temporal lobe arthritis, and other conditions. Acetylsalicylic acid preparations for adults are not recommended for use in a dose higher than 1 gram per day for more than 5 days. Aspirin can cause a decrease in platelet concentration, contribute to the development of non-steroidal gastropathy, in which there is abdominal pain, heartburn, nausea, allergies, or symptoms of liver and kidney problems. Acetylsalicylic acid is prohibited in the first trimester of pregnancy.

The range of prices for acetylsalicylic acid is extremely wide. So, if you ask the pharmacy for a tablet of acetylsalicylic acid in a dose of 500 mg number 10, and at the same time the cheapest, then you will be offered such tablets for 3 rubles! In the same case, if you just ask for 'Aspirin', in the same dosage and the same amount, but produced by no longer the domestic enterprise Medisorb, or the Borisov Belarusian Plant of Medicines, then it will cost 235 rubles, that is, 78 times expensive! Such a range of prices must be taken into account, keeping in mind the quality of the initial substance and the different result of treatment.

Advantages and disadvantages

Perhaps the biggest drawback is the insufficiently pronounced analgesic effect of acetylsalicylic acid. Best of all, she copes with fever and mild pain, for example, when you feel unwell with a cold. If the pain is severe enough, then combined drugs or drugs with a more pronounced analgesic effect are needed. At the same time, acetylsalicylic acid is contraindicated in patients with inflammatory diseases of the stomach and intestines, with reduced blood clotting. As for the 'pros', acetylsalicylic acid preparations are always available, cheap, at the same time able to prevent thrombosis and 'thin' the blood, and help to reduce the symptoms of fever.

Mig 400, ibuprofen

Rating: 4.7

This is the name of a medicine containing another NSAID, which has a more pronounced analgesic effect, we are talking about ibuprofen. Mig-400 contains 400 mg ibuprofen in a film-coated tablet. These tablets have the most pronounced analgesic effect, then anti-inflammatory and antipyretic. The drug got into the rating due to its ability to reduce headaches mainly in inflammatory diseases. Therefore, first of all, it will help with such types of headaches as temporal arteritis in elderly men, symptomatic cephalalgia, which is associated with chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis and ethmoiditis. The drug is effective for shooting pain in the ear, which is a symptom of otitis media, with toothache.

Adults can use the drug in a dosage of no more than 3 tablets (1200 mg) per day, and for children, starting from the age of six, no more than one and a half tablets per day, or 600 mg. The drug is produced by the German manufacturer Berlin-Chemie, and 20 tablets of the drug can be purchased for 118 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

Ibuprofen preparations are capable of good pain relief, and they help very quickly, it is not for nothing that the medicine is so called – 'Mig'. The peak of the analgesic effect occurs within 10 minutes, and lasts for at least 12 hours, and sometimes up to a day. The drug contains only pure ibuprofen, which is usually well tolerated even by patients with various polyvalent and drug allergies. As for the negative aspects of the drug, it must be prescribed for the first time after consulting a doctor. Ibuprofen should be used in the lowest possible dose, and as short a course as possible. It is often capable of causing heartburn and abdominal pain (NSAIDs – gastropathy), diarrhea and constipation, exacerbation of stomach and duodenal ulcers, and even in itself, in rare cases, can cause headaches and dizziness.

Analgesics

In the event that the level of headache is strong enough, and it is not relieved by drugs from the NSAID group, then, if necessary, you can use directly those drugs, the main advantage of which is a pronounced analgesic effect. But when switching to these analgesics after several days of unsuccessful NSAID treatment, it is very important to consult a neurologist, since there are persistent headaches that require emergency hospitalization, for example, meningitis, subarachnoid hemorrhage, or a focal brain formation – a malignant tumor. However, let's look at the most popular pain relievers included in the 'strong pain relievers' rating.

Ketorolac (Ketanov, Ketorol, Ketolac, Adolor, Dolak, Ketofril)

Rating: 4.9

Ketorolac, or rather ketorolac tromethamine, like other NSAIDs, inhibits cyclooxygenase, therefore it belongs to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. But its analgesic effect is the strongest of the entire group of NSAIDs. That is why it is used intramuscularly even in the early postoperative period with severe pain, and with some oncological diseases, when it is still possible to do without narcotic analgesics.

Despite the pronounced analgesic effect, this drug does not have a depression of the respiratory center, and at the same time it does not cause the same dependence that is formed with the use of opioid drugs. Some researchers believe that the pain relieving power of Ketorolac is comparable to that of morphine, but it does not have its side effects.

The maximum analgesic effect after taking the pills develops after 3-4 hours, the indications for taking this drug are persistent and acute headache, which is permanent, or is the result of surgery or injury. These drugs are used after ENT – operations, otitis media, migraine, with severe and persistent headache and especially toothache. It is indicated for various volumetric and focal neoplasms, including those associated with impaired CSF dynamics.

It must be remembered that this drug is symptomatic, it only reduces pain, and will in no way affect the course of the disease and the prognosis. As in other cases, ketorolac and its analogues can be used only in the shortest possible courses and with the lowest possible dosages, and only after consulting a doctor.

You can use this remedy in tablets either once a day, or several, but in any case, no more than 40 mg of the drug can be consumed daily, and the course of such self-medication should not last more than 5 days. The drug is contraindicated in children under 16 years of age, pregnant and lactating women. This remedy is not intended for long-term use and for the treatment of chronic headaches. It is a highly effective first aid for severe pain.

Of all the analogues of ketorolac, the most affordable tablets are actually ketorolac (INN), with a dosage of 10 mg number 10, and they can be purchased starting from 12 rubles, produced by their domestic company Sintez. As for the most popular Indian drug, Ketanov, produced by Ranbaxy, a package of 20 tablets with a dosage of 0.01 g can be purchased for 46 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The main advantage of Ketanov and its analogues is a strong and persistent analgesic effect, when even severe toothache is stopped. The disadvantage of drugs is a large list of contraindications, frequent development of side effects, especially in elderly patients with diseases of the stomach and intestines, and especially with prolonged use, interaction with various drugs, which increases the risk of ulcerative lesions. Therefore, ketorolac and its analogs must be prescribed by a doctor, taking into account other drugs taken by the patient.

Analgin (metamizole sodium)

Rating: 4.8

Immediately, after the highly effective ketorolac, we will mention the popular favorite in Russia – Analgin, which is found in almost every home medicine cabinet. From the very beginning, it must be said that using the supposedly 'safe' Analgin, you do it at your own peril and risk. In domestic instructions, you can simply read that with long-term treatment and use in large doses, analgin promotes the development of agranulocytosis, or a decrease in the number of neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils. These are blood cells that belong to leukocytes and perform numerous functions, primarily protective.

But this is 'half the truth'. The whole truth is that in the developed countries of Western Europe, in Israel and in the United States, where wealthy Russians go for treatment, this drug was generally banned at the end of the last century (in the United States in general since 1977). In those countries where it is used, for example, in Germany, it is prescribed only for strict indications (it is prescription).

According to statistics, a severe case of agranulocytosis after taking analgin occurs in about one case per 2000 appointments, or 0.05%. This is a very high figure. At the same time, out of every 100 cases of such a dangerous complication for us, there is a risk of dying in 7-10% of cases, and even with a normal level of medical care. In our conditions, it will be even higher. So, on average, there may well be severe agranulocytosis with a fatal outcome in every 20 – thousandth case of analgin administration for a trifling reason. The situation is aggravated by the very wide distribution of this drug, its high availability, sale everywhere without a prescription and low price. So, 10 tablets of analgin with a dosage of 500 mg can be bought already for 7 rubles, it is produced by JSC Tatkhimfarmpreparaty.

As for the 'pluses', all of them (availability, cheapness, quick effect) are found in other drugs. Therefore, if it is necessary to choose a drug with sufficient analgesic activity, it is better to abandon this old and far from safe remedy. Here are some more effective and safer drugs worthy of a pain reliever rating.

Nalgezin and Nalgezin – Forte (naproxen)

Rating: 4.7

One of these modern drugs that help well with various forms of headache with migraine, otitis media, with facial and toothache, with tension headache and post-traumatic cephalalgia, is the drug Nalgezin and Nalgezin-Forte, which contain sodium naproxen, and also include to NSAIDs.

In the case of ordinary Nalgezin, each tablet contains about 300 mg of naproxen, in the case of Nalgezin-Forte, this dose is increased to 0.55 g. This drug must be taken orally, no more than 2 tablets per day. The exception is very severe headaches, when you can increase the dose by one more pill, but take no more than 10 days. This drug can be used not only for treatment, but also for the prevention of migraine attacks, then it is used one tablet daily. An analgesic should be taken at the onset of the first signs of migraine, for example, when symptoms of visual, sensory, or motor aura occur.

The drug Nalgezin and Nalgezin-Forte are produced by the Slovak company KRKA, a package of 20 tablets costs 340 rubles. and more.

Advantages and disadvantages

Nalgezin is a great alternative if the patient does not tolerate aspirin or paracetamol well. However, it should be remembered that Nalgezin, despite its analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity, only reduces the symptoms of the disease, but does not eliminate their cause. Nalgezin, and especially Nalgezin-Forte, acts very quickly, and is good for pain relief in pains of other localization, for example, in painful periods, endometriosis, and in other cases. But it should be remembered that Nalgezin is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women, it is contraindicated in children and adolescents under 15 years of age, in various groups of patients, especially with erosive and ulcerative lesions of the stomach, with impaired blood clotting with liver and kidney pathology. Therefore, this drug, especially prescribed for the first time, can only be prescribed by a doctor.

Combined headache remedies

The vast majority of combined drugs with analgesic activity contain metamizole sodium, or the ill-fated analgin. A drug such as Saridon, Next, Tempalgin, and many others. Therefore, we will try to describe in the rating those drugs that have a pronounced analgesic effect in cephalgic syndrome, or headache, and which do not contain analgin. The choice is large enough. Basically, this will include those drugs and agents that act on vascular headache, or angiocephalgia. They often contain caffeine and other substances.

In some ratings, you can find drugs that reduce the tone of smooth muscles, and due to this, they are recorded as effective remedies for headaches. So, you can find Papaverin, Galidor, Drotaverin, No-shpu. In fact, the best way to use these myotropic antispasmodics is spastic pain in diseases of the liver, intestines and bile ducts, when there are pains of a 'pulling' nature, or spasms. The antispasmodic effect on the vessels of the brain does not always lead to pain relief, because sometimes sharp pain is caused not by vasospasm, but by their sharp overexpansion.

Consider the typical representatives of this rating, which are often found in first-aid kits and even in handbags, especially among women who smoke. After all, smoking causes a change in the tone of the vascular wall, and then – and a headache.

Kaffetin

Rating: 4.9

This is the name of a highly effective combination containing paracetamol, propyphenazone, caffeine and codeine. This drug is a prescription drug because it contains the opioid antitussive agent codeine. Also, headache pills contain propiphenazone, which is a psychostimulant. This remedy is very helpful in migraine headaches, toothaches, tension headaches, and post-traumatic cephalalgia. The tablets have an embossed inscription – kaffetin – in the Latin alphabet on one side and the number 5 on the other side of the tablet.

In general, the drug has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antitussive and psychostimulating effects. Caffeine helps to reduce drowsiness and reduces fatigue, codeine – in addition to reducing coughing, stimulates special receptors that change the emotional perception of headache, which also improves the patient's condition. The psychostimulant propiphenazone is able to relieve pain. After taking one tablet of Kaffetin, the maximum effect develops in an hour, and this effect lasts for 6 or 8 hours. Adults need to use one tablet three times a day, but not more than 6 tablets a day. The duration of admission should not exceed 5 days. This medicine for headaches is produced by the Macedonian company Alkaloid, one pack of 12 tablets is sold at a price of 80 rubles, but with a mandatory prescription.

Advantages and disadvantages

The disadvantage of this drug is the need to purchase a prescription, the possibility of symptoms of caffeine overdose while drinking several cups of natural coffee. This can cause anxiety, increase headache, cause palpitations – therefore, during treatment, you should refrain from drinking coffee. The unconditional negative aspects of using these effective pills for headache include suppression of the activity of the respiratory center. Therefore, it is categorically not recommended to use them for persons with sleep apnea syndrome, severe snoring and breathing problems during sleep.

Pentalgin-plus

Rating: 4.8

Pentalgin-plus contains even more active and balanced components. It differs from Kaffetin in that, in addition to caffeine, codeine and propyphenazone, it also contains paracetamol and phenobarbital. One tablet contains 300 mg of paracetamol, and propiphenazone, caffeine, phenobarbital and codeine account for 250, 50, 10 and 8 mg, respectively. The action of the drug is determined by the components that are included in it. Propyphenazone and paracetamol are mutually reinforcing to help fight pain and fever. Caffeine is able to tone the body and give vigor. Codeine improves the tolerance of headache, and somewhat reduces its emotional coloring. Phenobarbital is a derivative from the group of barbiturates, and at the same time it is able to have an antispasmodic and mild sedative effect.

It should not be surprising that the composition of the drug contains components that are opposite in nature: caffeine stimulates, and phenobarbital soothes. Together, this leads to a balanced state of mood and optimized behavioral responses. This medicine is indicated for various forms of headache, including toothache, tension headache, migraine, cluster or cluster headache, temporal arteritis and fever. Pentalgin-plus is produced by the domestic pharmaceutical company Pharmstandard, and its cost starts from 130 rubles. per package of 12 tablets.

Advantages and disadvantages

As in the past, a relative disadvantage of the remedy is the need to prescribe a prescription form, since these headache pills are subject to strict quantitative accounting. These headache tablets should not be used more than 4 tablets per day. Otherwise, not only allergic reactions may occur, but also nausea and vomiting in case of an overdose. Signs of interaction with other medications are possible. It is undesirable to use them for sleep apnea and snoring. You can not take Pentalgin-plus together with other barbiturates, with epilepsy, it is forbidden to drink alcohol while taking it, as the risk of liver damage increases. But, on the other hand, these headache tablets are highly effective, and quickly reduce the severity of cephalgic syndrome.

Citramon-Forte (Askofen-P, Kofitsil-Plus)

Rating: 4.7

This drug, unlike the previous ones, is freely available without a prescription. It also contains paracetamol and caffeine, but acetylsalicylic acid has been added to it. Each tablet contains respectively 320, 240, 40 and 7 mg of acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol, caffeine and citric acid. The remedies are indicated in the presence of various types of headaches, toothaches, headaches associated with intoxication and fever in the complex therapy of various infectious diseases. Shown taking Citramon-Forte no more than one tablet three times a day. As for a sudden headache, for example, due to fatigue, then a one-time intake of one or two tablets is carried out. Citramon Forte is an affordable and effective domestic drug. It is produced by the Ozone company, and one pack of 10 tablets can be bought for 23 rubles.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of Citramon-Forte and its other analogues include high efficiency, over-the-counter dispensing, widespread use in all pharmacies and low price. On the other hand, this remedy, despite its seeming harmlessness, can cause side effects such as nausea and vomiting, decreased blood clotting and bleeding, nosebleeds, and even headache, allergic reactions and kidney damage. Therefore, Citramon-Forte must be prescribed taking into account the presence of diseases such as stomach ulcers, portal hypertension, renal and hepatic insufficiency. The drug is prohibited for children under the age of 15, during pregnancy and during breastfeeding.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, in one small review of popularity ratings, it is impossible to consider all effective remedies for headache, since it has an extremely different nature. The most common are tension headache, vascular cephalalgia, as well as symptomatic headache associated with damage to the ENT organs, or due to diseases of the dentition. And all of these drugs work well with this kind of pain.

But there is also a completely different headache, for example, with trigeminal neuralgia, in which it is necessary to prescribe special drugs. They belong to anticonvulsants, and do not have a direct analgesic effect. With a well-established diagnosis of migraine, patients soon switch from common medicines to special means that can very quickly eliminate her attack. These are drugs from the triptan group, some other drugs in the form of nasal sprays. All of them are specific, they are prescribed only by a neurologist, and therefore there is no need to mention them. In any case, the most important fact is the need for the primary prescription of any medicine for headache, taking into account the opinion of the doctor, the rejection of all types of acetylsalicylic acid in children under 12 years of age, as well as information on the harmful effects of analgin. Currently, there are a large number of different drugs that can relieve headache well, or significantly reduce its severity without resorting to this remedy.

Finally, you need to remember about the so-called abusal headache. This is the name given to a headache caused by over-taking headache medications. In some case, refusal from all medications, normalization of work and rest, refusal of bad habits, normalization of sleep, restriction of coffee consumption can completely lead to getting rid of long-term and persistent headaches that were difficult to stop with various pills.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.