Over 29.5 million adults in the United States suffer from migraine headaches, according to the National Headache Foundation. Many of these individuals may turn to their local drugstore to seek an over-the-counter medication that can provide relief from their migraine pain. Three over-the-counter medications have been approved by the FDA specifically for the treatment of migraines, but there are other over-the-counter pain relief options that also may help minimize migraine pain.
Excedrin Migraine
In 1998, Excedrin Migraine was the first over-the-counter migraine medication to be approved by the FDA. According to the label, this medication includes 250mg of aspirin, 250mg of acetaminophen and 65mg of caffeine. Two tablets should be taken at the onset of migraine pain, and a person should not exceed more than two tablets within a 24 hour period. Unlike the other over-the-counter migraine medications, it is intended to treat both the pain of the migraine, as well as other common migraine symptoms.
Motrin Migraine Pain
Motrin Migraine Pain is also approved by the FDA for the treatment of migraine pain. It contains 200mg of ibuprofen, according to the label. The recommended dose is one or two tablets that should be taken at the onset of migraine pain, and more than two tablets should not be taken within a 24 hour time frame.
Advil Migraine Liqui-gels
Like Motrin Migraine Pain, the label of Advil Migraine Liqui-gels states it contains 200mg of ibuprofen and is approved by the FDA for the treatment of migraine pain. However, this medication comes in the form of a gel capsule, which may help the body better absorb the medication, according to the Diamond Health Clinic. Two tablets should be taken at the onset of pain, and you should not take more than two tablets per 24 hours.
Other Over-The-Counter Options
Other over-the-counter pain relievers may also work to relieve migraine pain, even if they are not specifically intended for migraine treatment. Aspirin, acetaminophen or naproxen may all help reduce migraine pain. Follow the instructions on the package on how to take these medications for your migraine pain.
Which is Best?
According to the Diamond Headache Clinic, no over-the-counter medication has proven more effective than another in the treatment of migraines. Therefore, deciding which over-the-counter medication to use is really a matter of personal preference. However, the Diamond Headache Clinic suggests that you stick with using the same medication for three separate occurrences. If that medication did not adequately reduce your migraine pain at least two out of the three times that you tried it, you then should switch to a different kind. If several brands of over-the-counter medications fail to reduce your pain, talk to your doctor about seeing if a prescription option may be a better choice for you.
