What to do for a severe headache: causes and remedies

Every person experiences headaches from time to time. It is associated with various external factors and goes away quickly without taking pills. 15% of people suffer from frequent, severe headaches. Doctors at the Yusupov Hospital conduct their examination using modern instrumental and laboratory diagnostic methods.

For headaches, people prescribe analgin, no-shpu, askofen, citramon. They relieve pain, but do not affect the cause of the pain. After determining the cause of the headache, doctors at the neurology clinic carry out complex therapy. Rehabilitation specialists use innovative non-drug treatments.

Professors and doctors of the highest category discuss complex cases at a meeting of the Expert Council. Leading specialists in the field of headache treatment collectively develop further tactics for patient management. Patients have the opportunity to undergo complex examinations and treatment at partner clinics of the Yusupov Hospital.

Top 9 drugs for headaches depending on its cause.

June 1, 2021
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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

Antispasmodics for headaches

A common cause of headaches is cerebral vasospasm. In this case, myotropic antispasmodics help relieve headaches:

• No-shpa (drotaverine);
• dibazole;
• papaverine;
• revalgin;
• dexalgin.

Neurotropic antispasmodics block the transmission of nerve impulses to smooth muscles, causing spasmodic vessels to dilate. Neurotropic vasodilators include:

• buscopan;
• scopolamine;
• aprofen;
• ganglefen;
• hyoscine;
• ganglefen;
• Arpenal.

Does spasmalgon help with headaches? The drug has a pronounced antispasmodic effect and eliminates headaches caused by vasospasm. Baralgin helps many patients against headaches. Mydocalm can help with headaches if the cause of the pain is muscle spasm.

Panadol belongs to the group of non-selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. It relieves headaches thanks to the analgesic effect of the main active agent - paracetamol. The drug is effective for headaches caused by fever.

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.
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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

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The most inexpensive

You can cope with headaches using budget funds. Most often, such drugs contain one component, are not difficult to produce, and have been produced by the pharmaceutical industry for several decades. We have collected 5 of the cheapest and most effective headache pills.

Aspirin (acetylic acid)

Price: 25 rubles

The active component is acetylsalicylic acid. Belonging to the group of NSAIDs, it helps eliminate headaches, and also reduces body temperature and has an anti-inflammatory effect [18], [19].

Pros:

• The drug has been used in medical practice for a long time, so its safety and effectiveness profile has been well studied.
• It can be used in the treatment of migraine and to eliminate neuropathic pain.
• The effect lasts for 4-8 hours.
• Affordable price.

Minuses:

• Cannot be used in the treatment of children under 15 years of age.
• The drug is prohibited for erosions and ulcers of the gastrointestinal mucosa, and for bronchial asthma.
• Pregnant women should not take the drug in the first and second trimester.
• Aspirin is taken only after meals.
• Frequent side effects are disorders of the digestive system such as nausea, heartburn, and vomiting. Possible abdominal pain.

Paracetamol

Price: 30 rubles

Paracetamol is an affordable drug for mild to moderate headaches. It is used to get rid of migraines, including acute ones. Relief after taking occurs within an hour. Caffeine is contained in tablets in a small dose, so it does not stimulate the nervous system, but helps regulate vascular tone in the brain.

Citramon

Price: 60 rubles

There are 3 active ingredients in the drug: acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol and caffeine. This combination is currently considered the most effective for eliminating headaches of various origins [20].

Pros:

• The production of the drug has been established for a long time; it began in the USSR, although the composition has undergone changes several times.
• Taking the pill allows you to get rid of three types of pain: tension, cluster and migraine.
• The price is affordable.

Minuses:

• The drug helps thin the blood due to the presence of acetylsalicylic acid in the composition.
• It is recommended to take the tablets after meals to avoid side effects such as irritation of the mucous membrane of the digestive system.
• You cannot combine therapy with alcoholic drinks, as this increases the risk of liver damage.

Analgin

Price: 70 rubles

The active component of the drug is metamizole sodium. It is used to get rid of headaches of various origins. The drug can reduce its severity by 50% or more [21].

Pros:

• The effect of the drug has been well studied. It was first used in 1920.
• The effect develops quickly, the pain becomes less intense within 20-40 minutes after taking the tablet.
• The drug does not significantly affect the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, and does not interfere with water-salt metabolism.
• In addition to eliminating pain, Analgin has a weak anti-inflammatory effect.

Minuses:

• Admission is associated with a risk of developing agranulocytosis and neutropenia.
• It is not recommended to use Analgin in the treatment of pregnant women and children under 8 years of age.
• It is necessary to take the drug only after meals.
• Allergic reactions and decreased blood pressure are possible.

Ibuprofen

Price: 90 rubles

Ibuprofen is one of the first-line medications for headaches. It is on the list of analgesics recommended by WHO and the European Federation of Neurological Societies. It is used for mild to moderate migraines, tension pain and cluster pain. More details about the pros and cons of the drug were written above.

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

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conclusions

All of the listed medications have different chemical compositions, affect the patient differently and require different approaches in dosage and treatment regimen. Therefore, do not rely on your intuition, advice from friends and advertising, if you do not know exactly what helps with headaches in what cases - consult your family doctor before taking the pill.

When looking for the best remedy for headaches, you should understand that unpleasant sensations are just a signal of more serious problems in the body. Which ones exactly can only be determined by a doctor after a thorough examination. Sometimes sharp and severe pain that occurs suddenly is only an accidental, quickly passing phenomenon that does not require systemic treatment. On the other hand, weak, dull, but constant pain can be a symptom of a dangerous vascular pathology or hidden injury. The pills will help you feel better. But this is only a short-term effect. And in order to forget about a headache for a long time, you need to discover and eliminate its root cause.

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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 91

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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

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.

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

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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

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Migraine:

Migraines can be triggered by smell or taste.
Features of migraine:

• severe pain is localized in the same part of the head each time;
• before an attack, changes in taste, color, smell, and hallucinations appear (the so-called aura);
• during an attack, a person completely loses working capacity for 2–72 hours;
• pain – throbbing;
• intolerance to sounds, photophobia;
• vomiting, nausea, neurological disorders;
• the presence of a triggering factor (for example, a migraine attack can be triggered by the smell of bananas or the meowing of a cat).

Understanding whether you have a migraine or not is very simple. With migraines, the attacks are clearly expressed, and between them the head does not hurt at all. If your head aches constantly, then it is not a migraine.

Researchers claim that in 90% of cases, painful sensations develop due to overstrain of the muscles of the neck, eyes, face, forehead, and various parts of the head. Pain due to muscle strain and migraine are called primary. You can get rid of them by acting directly on the cause of their occurrence (for example, by performing a neck massage, doing eye exercises, drinking an antispasmodic). The localization of sensations is different. Sometimes it is a girdling headache, in other cases the whole head, or part of it (the back of the head, temples) hurts.

The safest drugs for headaches are Ibuprofen and Paracetamol.

Secondary headaches develop due to pathological processes occurring in the neck or head. They are caused, for example, by osteochondrosis, vegetative-vascular dystonia, and hypertension. Pain can be localized with painkillers. The underlying disease needs to be treated, then the headache will go away on its own.

A severe headache that pills do not help get rid of is a serious reason to visit a doctor. This condition is among the signs of stroke, neurological disorders and requires emergency medical care.

Severe pain in the head is sometimes provoked by diseases of the ENT organs

Sometimes very severe headaches develop after taking high-dose headache medications. Such painful sensations are called abuse. Therefore, the principle “the more the better” does not work here.

Sudden severe headache is a sign of a stroke or cranial neuralgia. For patients with diabetes, kidney failure and cancer, this is a signal of the development of metabolic imbalance.

A severe headache may be a sign of stress or a stroke

Painful sensations in the head area can be a side effect when taking medications. If this is the case, coordinate further actions with your doctor.

And painful sensations await people during a hangover. Here's what to do if you have a terrible headache:

• 6 hours after the last drink, take Aspirin (can be replaced with Picamilon, Mexidol, Pantogam);
• take a contrast shower;
• drink a lot of water (this will not be difficult) and any diuretic (Diacarb, Triamten, Veroshpiron). Strong diuretics (for example, Lasix, Furosemide, Hypothiazide, Oxodoline) do not need to be used.

Citramon P or Paracetamol should not be taken. They overload the liver, which at this moment is already working “at high speed.”

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

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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

Head tablets during pregnancy and breastfeeding

During pregnancy and lactation, headache medication must be chosen especially carefully. For pregnant women and mature mothers (when breastfeeding), it is important not to harm the baby, so it is necessary to give preference to safe pills.

1. Paracetamol and drugs based on it (Efferalgan, Panadol) are the most harmless tablets during pregnancy and lactation. The daily dose should not exceed 3 tablets, and the duration of use should not exceed 3 days.
2. No-spa (analogue of Drotaverine) is a safe remedy for headaches, if not abused. You can take it 1 tablet per day.

It is recommended to take medications for headaches during pregnancy or lactation in extreme cases. It is better to take a harmless herbal decoction (chamomile, oregano, mint). Such remedies gently relieve spasms, improve blood circulation and produce a sedative effect.

A headache can be a consequence of either nervous tension and fatigue, or indicate possible health problems. To decide on painkillers, you need to understand the nature of the pain and the accompanying symptoms. It is important to remember that correctly selected medications help alleviate the condition and forget about the unpleasant problem for a long time.