How to Cure Migraine Pain With Painkillers

The Mayo Clinic estimates that migraine headaches affect more than 28 million people in the United States, with 3/4 of sufferers being female. Migraines are characterized by severe pain that is usually located on one side of the head. Other symptoms may include nausea, increased sensitivity to light and sound, lightheadedness, vomiting, scalp tenderness and diarrhea. Without treatment, migraines may last hours or days. Over-the-counter and prescription-strength painkillers are generally effective at curing migraine pain.

Things You'll Need

• Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications

Instructions

1. Take a painkiller as soon as your symptoms begin. Pain medication is considerably more effective when taken early in a migraine attack, according to the Mayo Clinic.

2. Try an over-the-counter painkiller to cure your migraine pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, may eliminate migraine pain. When used long term, NSAIDs can cause stomach irritation, gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers.

3. Tell your doctor right away if you begin experiencing more frequent headaches when using NSAIDs to treat your pain. These medications may cause mild to severe rebound headaches in some people. Tapering off the drugs is often necessary.

4. Buy an over-the-counter pain reliever that contains caffeine. Caffeine helps treat migraines by increasing the effectiveness of migraine medications and by improving the body's ability to absorb the medications.

5. Ask your doctor for a prescription-strength medication if your headache fails to respond to OTC drugs. Butalbital and codeine are often prescribed for migraine pain, and both are more effective at treating severe migraines than OTC medications. However, narcotics can be addicting and should only be used short term.

6. Use an anti-nausea medication when taking painkillers. Migraines may cause nausea or vomiting, preventing you from keep down medications, and NSAIDs and narcotics may both cause vomiting as a side effect.

7. Rest or sleep in a quiet, dark room for several hours after taking pain medication to treat your migraine. Sleep will help ease your headache and may shorten its duration.

Tips & Warnings

• Using preventative medications can reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.

• Make certain to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Some painkillers are not safe for use during pregnancy.

References

• M.A.G.N.U.M.: National Migraine Association
• Mayo Clinic: Migraine Headaches

Resources

• Mayo Clinic: Migraine