Comment
Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
When you have a headache that's severe enough to require medication, chances are you reach for an over-the-counter painkiller like ibuprofen. This familiar non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, is effective for some headaches. Ibuprofen is available over the counter (OTC) as well as by prescription. As an OTC product, it's sold under the brand names Advil and Motrin. It's also available in generic and store-brand forms, which often are less expensive. NSAIDs Ibuprofen is among the medications most often used for migraine pain. According to the American Migraine Foundation, NSAIDs are often nearly as effective as prescription medications for pain relief. NSAIDs also cost less and are less likely than other medications to lead to medication overuse headaches. Ibuprofen is similar to other NSAIDs, including OTC and prescription options. Other OTC NSAIDs include aspirin and Aleve (naproxen). Each works a bit differently. For example, Aleve lasts a few hours longer than ibuprofen. For severe pain, your healthcare provider may prescribe ibuprofen or another NSAID in a stronger dose than can be purchased over the counter. Prescription NSAIDs include analgesics like Celebrex (celecoxib) and Cambia (diclofenac), which are often used to treat inflammatory conditions like arthritis. All of these drugs work by blocking an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX). This enzyme helps produce inflammatory chemicals like prostaglandins that play a role in headache pain. When used correctly, ibuprofen is safe for most people.It's important to take ibuprofen only as directed and at the lowest dose and for the shortest time possible. Most Effective Doses Over-the-counter ibuprofen comes as a 200 milligram tablet or chewable; it's also available as a liquid for children. For adults with mild to moderate headache pain, taking 200 mg of ibuprofen every four to six hours might help. Taking it up to three times per day is enough to bring relief to many healthy adults (as well as kids over 12). For more severe head pain, research has shown that a double dose is likely to be more helpful than a single one. In fact, 400 mg is the dosage most frequently used in research looking at the effectiveness of ibuprofen for headache relief. In a review of 12 studies, researchers found that people who get regular tension-type headaches were more likely to be pain-free after taking a 400 mg dose, compared to a 200 mg dose. However, in total, only a small number of people benefited from
Add Comment