Headache medications are drugs that block pain, reduce inflammation or open restricted blood vessels to relieve headaches. Both over-the-counter and prescription medications are available to treat headaches.  

The medications most often used to treat headaches are aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen.  

Other drugs are also available to treat specific types of headaches, including medications developed specifically to treat headaches and others that were developed to treat other conditions such as anticonvulsants, antidepressants and corticosteroids. The International Headache Society lists more than 150 types of headache, including tension headaches, migraines and cluster headaches, all of which may be treated using headache medications.  However, certain types of headaches are more likely to be successfully treated with medication than others.

Certain conditions may raise concerns for patients taking headache medications. For example, patients who have ulcers or who experience gastrointestinal upset when taking headache medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may need to stop taking these drugs. Specific medications and herbal supplements also may interact poorly with headache medications.

Depending upon the medication, headache medications can cause side effects that range from mild (e.g., upset stomach) to severe (increased risk of bleeding). Symptoms of overdose can be similar to the medication’s side effects, but are usually more severe. Overdose of certain headache medications can lead to toxicity and even death.

With the exception of acetaminophen, parents are urged not to give headache medications to their children without first consulting a physician. Dosage levels generally are lower for children than adults, and headache medications such as aspirin may pose grave health risks for certain children. 

Some headache medications are known to pose potential health risks for unborn fetuses. In addition, some headache medications are known to pass into breast milk. Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of headache medications. For this reason, pregnant or breastfeeding women and the elderly should consult a physician before using headache medications.