Acetaminophen:
- OTC, abortive, analgesic
- Brand Names (U.S.): Aceta, Actamin, Aminofen, Apacet, Aspirin Free Anacin, Bayer Select Maximum Strength Headache Pain Relief Formula, Datril Extra, Panadol, Tapanol, Tempra, Tylenol, Valorin
- Brand Names (Canada):, Abenol, Actimol, Anacin-3, Apo-Acetaminophen, Atasol, Excedrin, Exdol, Panadol, Rounox, Tempra, Tylenol
- overdoses of acetaminophen are very toxic and dangerous
- daily use is highly likely to cause to rebound headaches, and lead to chronic daily headaches
- daily use over extended periods has been show to cause liver damage
- contraindicated in patients with liver or kidney impairment or in asthmatic patients with known sensitivity to aspirin
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do not take any of the following medicines together with acetaminophen for more than a few days, unless under doctor's supervision: Aspirin, Diclofenac (Voltaren), Diflunisal (Dolobid), Etodolac (Lodine), Fenoprofen (Nalfon), Floctafenine (Idarac), Flurbiprofen (Ansaid), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Indomethacin (Indocin), Ketoprofen (Orudis), Ketorolac (Toradol), Meclofenamate (Meclomen), , Nabumetone (Relafen), Naproxen (Naprosyn), Oxaprozin (Daypro), Piroxicam (Feldene)
- OTC, abortive, analgesic, NSAID
- Brand Names (U.S.): Acuprin, Amigesic, Anacin, Anaflex, Ascriptin, Arthritis Pain Formula, Arthritis Strength Bufferin, Aspergum, Aspirtab, Bayer Select Maximum Strength Backache Pain Relief Formula, Bufferin Caplets, Buffinol, Cope, Disalcid, Doan's Regular Strength Tablets, Ecotrin, Empirin, Gensan, Ascriptin, Mobidin, Mono-Gesic, Trilisate, ZORprin
- Brand Names (Canada): Anacin, Antidol, Apo-Asa, Arco Pain Tablet, Arthrisin, Astone, Astrin, Bufferin Caplets, Calmine, Disalcid, Doan's Backache Pills, Dodd's Pills, Dolomine, Entrophen Caplets, Herbopyrine, Instantine, Kalmex, Nervine, Novasen, Sero-Gesic, Tri-Buffered ASA, Trilisate
- Other commonly used names: acetylsalicylic acid, ASA, choline magnesium trisalicylate, salicylsalicylic acid
- may cause stomach upset, asthma, rash, kidney disease, coagulation problems
- if the recommended dosage doesn't work, taking more will not help
- may cause rebound headaches
- contraindicated for patients with GI problems or blood clotting disorders
- do not take any of the following medicines together with acetaminophen for more than a few days, unless under doctor's supervision: Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Diclofenac (Voltaren), Diflunisal (Dolobid), Etodolac (Lodine), Fenoprofen (Nalfon), Floctafenine (Idarac), Flurbiprofen, oral (Ansaid), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Indomethacin (Indocin), Ketoprofen (Orudis), Ketorolac (Toradol), Nabumetone (Relafen), Naproxen (Naprosyn), Oxaprozin (Daypro), Piroxicam (Feldene), Tolmetin (Tolectin)
Ibuprofen:
- OTC, abortive, NSAID
- forms available: tablets, capsules, liqui-gels, liquid
- approved for children
- sometimes effective for menstrual migraine
- action too short for many migraines
- used for mild to moderate migraine, tension, menstrual headache and intractable migraine
- should be taken at first indication of headache
- major potential for rebound headache, should generally not be used for more than three days consecutively
- significant risk of GI and kidney side effects
- contraindicated in those with GI or kidney disorders or risks
Naproxen
- OTC, abortive, NSAID
- tablets
- used for mild to moderate migraine, tension, menstrual headache and intractable migraine
- should be taken at first indication of headache
- major potential for rebound headache, should generally not be used for more than three days consecutively
- significant risk of GI and kidney side effects
- contraindicated in those with GI or kidney disorders or risks
