Self Help

Almost all migraine sufferers have at one time used over-the-counter analgesic remedies to try to deal with their headaches. In fact, research shows that an estimated 114 million Americans used nonprescription pain relievers in 1996. Almost everyone is familiar with analgesic painkillers. About 69% of all over-the-counter analgesics are taken for headaches. (though not all of these headaches were migraines.)

Analgesics vary considerably in strength, ranging from the aspirin you can buy in any pharmacy or supermarket to the prescription-strength variety, including controlled medications such as narcotics, for which you may need a special prescription or a visit to your doctor. Until recently, over the counter analgesics and narcotics was the mainstay of treatments for acute migraine attacks. But with the advent of new migraine-specific medications, they are being used less frequently.

Simple analgesics such as aspirin and acetaminophen are nonnarcotic analgesic medications which can help some people with mild migraine. But do not assume that because they are simple analgesics “only” aspirin or acetaminophen, they’re benign.

In fact, even simple analgesics can cause problems and should not be overused. Excessive use of aspirin, for example, can cause microscopic bleeding from the stomach and can aggravate an ulcer or lead to anemia. Similarly, depending too much on acetaminophen can result in liver damage. Chronic excessive use of either or both aspirin and acetaminophen
over many years can cause kidney damage.

Compound analgesics are medications containing aspirin or acetaminophen in combination with other ingredients, often caffeine. Some are over-the-counter medications, while others require a prescription. For example, two frequently prescribed compound analgesics contain mild doses of a barbiturate along with aspirin or acetaminophen and caffeine; therefore, you need a doctor’s prescription to obtain them in the United States.

Listed below are the generic components of several popular combination analgesics:

1. Aspirin, acetaminophen, caffeine
2. Aspirin, butalbital, caffeine
3. Acetaminophen, butalbital, caffeine
4. Acetaminophen, caffeine
5. Dichloralphenazone, isometheptene, and acetaminophen

These medications can be very useful for mild to moderate migraine headaches, as long as they are not taken frequently. With frequent use, you not only run the risk of organ damage from excessive aspirin or acetaminophen use, you also risk experiencing rebound headaches.

Never take any of these drugs to prevent a migraine attack. Some migraine sufferers are so fearful they might develop a headache that they take an analgesic pill in case. But since analgesics do not prevent headaches, this is a misuse of the medicine. They should only be taken to relieve pain that you already have.