Tension headaches are common among modern Americans, affecting about 78 percent of the population, according to University of Maryland Medical Center. These particular types of headaches are caused by tension in the neck and scalp muscles, caused by stress or by sitting in one position too long. Pain typically starts at the back of the head and then moves around the sides of the head to the front.
NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, or NSAIDs, are effective in reducing pain from tension headaches. The NSAID group includes the over-the-counter drugs aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen. Always take the smallest dose needed to relieve pain to reduce side effects caused by these analgesics.
Prescription NSAIDs
NSAIDs are also available by prescription to relieve the worst tension headaches. The doctor can order prescription strength naproxen, indomethacin and ketorolac. These prescription drugs are stronger and may work better to relieve pain than ones available over the counter. Overuse of pain killers may cause a condition known as rebound headache, which are headaches that return frequently, so prescription pain relievers should be used only when over-the-counter medications do not sufficiently reduce pain.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever but may not be as effective as an NSAID because it does not contain the anti-inflammatory agents helpful in reducing tension headaches.
Amitriptyline
Sometimes a patient's pain is too severe to be treated by over-the-counter remedies, or they have frequent tension headaches. A doctor may prescribe amitriptyline, an anti-depressant which relieves tension headache in about 65 percent of people, according to Cleveland Clinic. Amitriptyline has a sedative effect, so it relaxes the patient to relieve pain.
Combination
Sometimes medicines are combined together in one pill to give maximum pain relief. For example, an over-the-counter product that combines acetaminophen, aspirin and caffeine may be more effective than taking just one medication alone. Some combination therapies, like those pairing pain relievers with sedatives, are available by prescription only because they may be addictive and lead to chronic daily headaches, according to MayoClinic.com.
Narcotics
Narcotics are powerful pain relievers that can relieve headache pain, but these drugs can be addictive and can have side effects that can lead to increased headaches. Narcotics and opiates also have a potential for dependency and they should be used only as necessary.
Muscle Relaxants
Muscle relaxants may be used to relieve tension headaches because they relax muscles in the back of the neck and scalp, the source of tension headaches. Long-term use should be avoided due to the addictive nature of these medications.
