Medicines for headaches
8-minute read
If you have a sudden and severe headache, or if you have headache with other symptoms that concern you, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.
Key facts
- Most headaches are not serious and can be managed at home.
- Tension headaches are the most common type of headache, and can be treated with over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.
- Migraines can be treated with prescription pain-relief medicine, anti-nausea medicines and special medicines for migraines called triptans.
- Read the label carefully or ask your pharmacist to make sure over-the-counter medicines are right for you.
- You should see your doctor if you have frequent headaches, or you are worried about other symptoms.
What is a headache?
A headache is pain experienced in any part of your head. Most people have headaches every so often. They can happen without any obvious cause, or they may be caused by a health problem.
The most common type of headache is a tension-type headache, which causes:
- mild or moderate head pain that affects some or all of your head
- steady pain that feels like a dull tightness or band
- pain that lasts briefly, or for up to a few days
Other types of headaches are cluster headaches and migraines.
Learn more about other types of headaches, their management and treatment.
How do medicines for headaches work?
Pain-relief medicines help to reduce the pain caused by headaches. They can be used to manage short-term (acute) or long-term (chronic) pain. They work by targeting the cause of your pain or by reducing how your pain travels along the nerves to the brain.
What types of medicines might I be prescribed?
The type of medicine that your doctor prescribes depends on the type of headache that you have.
Tension headache
The main medicines for tension headaches are pain-relief medicines. These include:
You can buy these medicines at your local supermarket or pharmacy. It's best to check with your pharmacist if you need to take them more than occasionally. Tablets containing pain-relief medicine combined with caffeine can work especially well.
Codeine and morphine are not generally recommended for tension headaches. If your doctor thinks you need a medicine with codeine, they will give you a prescription.
Read more on tension headache.
Frequent tension headaches
If you have frequent headaches, your doctor may suggest medicines to prevent them. This might include a low dose of an antidepressant (much lower than you would take to treat depression). There may be side effects, including:
- dry mouth
- dizziness
- blurred vision
- drowsiness
- constipation
- weight gain
Cluster headache
Cluster headaches are a rare type of headache with extreme headaches occurring in groups, or clusters.
Learn more about cluster headache.
Cluster headaches do not usually respond to treatment with simple pain-relief medicines.
A specialist neurologist can give you more advice and information about treating and preventing cluster headaches. Your doctor may prescribe:
- verapamil or lithium to prevent cluster headaches
- corticosteroids — prednisolone or prednisone, for short term prevention
- triptans
Migraine
If you have migraines, there are medicines that can help to prevent symptoms and to treat them once they start. These include:
- pain-relief medicines
- anti-nausea medicines
- triptans — special migraine medicines that contract (tighten) blood vessels in your head
There are also medicines to prevent migraines including beta-blockers and amitriptyline.
Learn more about migraine.
What are the side effects or risks of headache medicines?
Most medicines can cause some unwanted effects. You might have side effects even if you take your pain medicines exactly as your doctor tells you to.
If you experience side effects that worry you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible. Every medicine has its own list of possible side effects. More information about side effects of each medicine can be found in the consumer medicines information (CMI) leaflet in the package.
Medicine safety
If you take pain-relief medicines, it is important to understand how to use them safely. For example, you may already take pain-relief medicines in your cough and cold remedies, or in medicines for arthritis or other conditions.
It's important not to take more than the recommended daily amount as this can lead to serious side effects.
Read the label carefully, or check with your doctor or pharmacist, so you don't accidentally take more than you should.
Medication overuse headache
Daily or almost daily use of pain-relief medicines can lead to a condition known as 'medication overuse headache'.
In this condition, your headaches stop responding to the medicine. It can also cause a worse headache in response. The risk of developing this condition is higher if you use pain medicines that:
- contain codeine or caffeine more than 10 days per month
- are NSAIDs or paracetamol more than 15 days per month
If you have regular headaches that no longer respond to your usual medicines, speak to your doctor. They may refer you to a specialist for treatment.
When should I see my doctor?
If you have a sudden, severe headache or if your headache is accompanied by vomiting, confusion, neck stiffness or changes in your vision, call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.
You should see your doctor if your headaches occur often and they prevent you from doing your usual activities. See your doctor if you take pain medicine for headaches often during a week.
In some cases, headaches can be a symptom of something more serious.
You should also see your doctor if you think you may have migraines. Your doctor can help you understand if you have a simple headache or a migraine. If your doctor diagnoses migraine, they will help find ways to reduce their frequency. Some people may also benefit from long-term medicines to prevent migraines.
If you are worried about taking medicines for your headache, ask your doctor or pharmacist about:
- the benefits of medicine for headache
- the risks of different types of medicine for headache
- other treatment options available
Your doctor or pharmacist will help you decide which medicines are suitable.
When to seek urgent care
You should go immediately to your nearest hospital emergency department if you have a severe headache, or a headache with symptoms such as:
- fever
- neck stiffness
- confusion
- memory or behaviour changes
- vision changes
- unexplained vomiting
- a seizure
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
Are there alternatives to headache medicine?
Different types of headaches respond better to different treatments. As well as medicines, other treatment options include:
- neck exercises and massage
- acupuncture
- resting in a dark, quiet room
- sleep
- putting a cold pack on your forehead or a hot pack on your neck and shoulders
Treatment and prevention of headaches can also include lifestyle changes such as:
- avoiding headache triggers
- getting enough sleep
- staying hydrated
- getting regular exercise
- eating a healthy diet and maintaining a healthy weight
Resources and Support
The healthdirect medicines tool allows you to search for medicines by brand name or active ingredient. It has useful information about medicines such as their use, if they are available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and product recalls.
- If you are worried about the effects of your medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or other health practitioner, or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 at any time to speak to a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria).
- You can find out more about your medicine by reading the Consumer Medicines Information (CMI)
- Call 1300 MEDICINE (1300 633 424) to speak with a pharmacist who can answer your questions about medicines.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding and would like to find out more about your medicines call Medicines Line on 1300 633 424.
- Visit Migraine & Headache Australia to learn more about headache.
NPS Medicinewise offers advice on:
- managing migraines
- headaches and how to treat them
- medicines for short-term pain
- codeine-containing medicines
Languages other than English
The Pain Management Network has translated resources in many community languages.
You can find translated information about medicines on the NPS MedicineWise website.