There has been a proliferation of new over-the-counter headache and Migraine medications. On the shelves, you'll now find products including: Advil Migraine®, Excedrin Migraine®, Motrin Migraine, and Excedrin Tension Headache®. Before you buy over-the-counter (OTC) medications for headache and/or Migraine, there are vital concerns that should not be overlooked.
Read the Label
Be sure to read the package. You need to know what's in the product and any potential side effects or drug interactions before taking any medication, even those purchased over-the-counter. Increased direct-to-consumer advertising is bringing more and more attention to OTC products, but it doesn't tell the whole story. The label does.
Check With Your Doctor or Pharmacist
If you have any known medical condition or are taking prescription medications, always check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking OTC medications. Your condition or prescription medications may contraindicate taking some OTC medications.
More Than 72 Hours?
If you've had the same episode of head pain longer than 72 hours, do not buy and take any medications before talking with your doctor.
"Natural" Products Act As Drugs
The same warnings that apply to OTC medications should be followed when considering "natural" products or supplements. Natural doesn't necessarily mean that it's safe for you.
Don't Exceed the Recommended Dosage
It's easy to think that over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin are harmless. Don't! OTC or not, these are still drugs, and they still affect our bodies as such. If the recommended dosage isn't working, you need to see your doctor.
Compare Ingredients and Prices
There are relatively new OTC Migraine and tension headache medications available. Following Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, the manufacturers altered the packaging of the medications when they were shown to be effective for Migraine or tension headache and the FDA approved advertising them for Migraine treatment. With the Migraine products, although the names are different, the ingredients are the same as the manufacturer's regular products.
More About Ingredients and Prices
Excedrin Migraine® contains the same ingredients as Extra Strength Excedrin®; Advil Migraine® the same as Advil Liqui-Gels®; and Motrin Migraine® the same as Motrin IB®. There are also less expensive store brands of some of these products. Excedrin Tension Headache® contains 500mg of acetaminophen and 65mg of caffeine, so you could also take acetaminophen tablets with a caffeinated beverage and get the same ingredients.