7 Popular Over-the-Counter Medicines for Headaches

Have you ever missed school or work because of a headache?

Headaches are a common problem, and the symptoms vary widely.

However, with the right over-the-counter medication, you can alleviate the pain caused by headaches and make your daily life more comfortable.

Over-the-counter headache medications are readily available and there are many different types to choose from depending on your symptoms.

This article summarizes the characteristics and precautions of pain medications.

Types of Headaches and the Role of Over-the-Counter Medications

Headaches can be broadly classified into tension headaches, migraines, and cluster headaches.

(1) Migraine headache

Causes: Stress, fatigue, hunger, alcohol intake, lack of sleep (oversleeping), menstruation, crowds and noise, weather and pressure changes

Symptoms: Pulsating throbbing pain on one side of the head, sensitivity to light and sound. Pain worsens with physical exertion or bathing.

2) Tension headache

Causes: Stress, temporomandibular joint disorder, staying in the same position for a long time (e.g., slouching), lack of exercise, eyestrain

Symptoms: A feeling of heaviness, pressure, or tightness in the head, especially in the occiput, temples, and forehead, that lasts for a while. There is also a mixed type of migraine headache that occurs in people with tension-type headaches.

3) Cluster headache

Cause: The detailed cause is unknown, but it is thought to be due to inflammation caused by dilation of blood vessels that pass behind the eyes.

Symptoms: Characterized by headaches that last about an hour, they occur at the same time every day, concentrated over a period of several days to three months. Thereafter, there are periods of no headache, and in some cases, the cluster phase comes back repeatedly. It often occurs during sleep, waking up with severe pain.

4) Headache with fever

Cause: Possibly due to viral or bacterial infection.

Symptoms: In addition to headache, cold symptoms such as runny nose and fever may be present.

Types of Headaches and Over-the-Counter Medications

Some types of headaches cannot be treated with over-the-counter medicines.

Let’s take a look at them in detail!

(1) Migraine headache

For mild migraine, over-the-counter medicines containing loxoprofen or Ibuprofen are effective.

For severe migraines, seek medical care and ask for a prescription.

(2)Tension headache

This is the most common type of headache.

It is best to use over-the-counter medicines containing loxoprofen, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen.

In addition, since caffeine intake has the effect of constricting blood vessels, it is advisable to choose no caffeine or caffeine-free products.

For tension-type headaches are believed to be caused by poor blood circulation, caffeine may worsen the headaches.

3) Cluster headache

This is a fairly rare headache and over-the-counter medications do not show much effect.

If you suspect this ailment, visit a medical institution as soon as possible to receive the necessary treatment.

4) Headache with fever

If you have symptoms of a cold (sore throat, runny nose, cough, phlegm, etc.) in addition to headache and fever, you should choose an over-the-counter general cold remedy.

They contain antihistamine and antitussive and expectorant ingredients to reduce the pain caused by various symptoms.

Which one should you choose? Differences in ingredients

There are many different types of over-the-counter medications that can effectively relieve headaches.

Which one should you choose?

For those who just want to suppress headaches

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are fast-acting and effective in reducing pain and inflammation.

Loxoprofen and ibuprofen fall into this category.

However, for people with weak stomachs, taking NSAIDs for a long period of time or on an empty stomach may cause stomach upset.

Take it after meals, and take it with a stomach medicine.

People with aspirin asthma should also refrain from using it, as it may worsen asthma symptoms.

For those who want to choose Stomach-Friendly Medication

For those who are prone to stomach upset and want to choose a safer medicine, we recommend a medicine containing acetaminophen.

Acetaminophen has a milder action, is safe enough to be used on babies, and is gentle on the stomach.

7 Recommended Over-the-Counter Medicines for Headaches

Over-the-counter medications are one of the most readily available solutions for headache sufferers.

Here are seven over-the-counter medicines that we particularly recommend.

S.S. Pharmaceutical Ibquick Headache Pill DX

Available for ages 15 and up.　

Two tablets per dose, up to twice a day.

Effective	Ingredients	Amount (in 2 tablets)
Pain relief, headache improvement	Ibuprofen	200mg
anti-acid effect	Magnesium oxide (MgO)	100mg
calming effect	Allylisopropylacetylurea	60mg
Improvement of drowsiness and fatigue	Anhydrous caffeine	80mg

IbQuick Headache Pill DX is known for its rapid effect on sudden pain.

Its main ingredient is ibuprofen, which is also believed to be effective for tension-type headaches and menstrual cramps.

It is recommended for those who want to feel pain relief promptly after taking it.

Loxonin S

Available for ages 15 and up.　

One tablets per dose, up to twice a day.

Effective	Ingredient	Amount
Pain relief, headache improvement	Loxoprofen	60mg

Loxonin S is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) effective for severe pain.

It is recommended for those who want to firmly control pain.

It contains loxoprofen sodium hydrate as the active ingredient and is widely used for toothache and menstrual cramps as well as headache.

Loxonin S is a class 1 drug, so if you wish to purchase it, confirmation by a pharmacist is required.

Bufferin Luna J 20 tablets

Available for ages 7 and up.

7 to 11 years old: 1 tablet once; 11 to 15 years old: 2 tablets once; 15 years old and older: 3 tablets once up to 3 times a day

Effective	Ingredient	Amount
Pain relief, headache improvement	Acetaminophen	100mg

Medicines containing acetaminophen are relatively gentle to the stomach.

If you want to start with a small dose, or if you want to choose a medicine that is gentler on the stomach, this is the one for you.

Tylenol A 20 tablets

Available for ages 15 and up.

One tablet once a day up to three times a day.

Effective	Ingredient	Amount
Pain relief, headache improvement	Acetaminophen	300mg

Medicines containing acetaminophen are relatively gentle to the stomach.

If you want to choose a medicine that is gentler on the stomach, this is the one for you.

Bufferin Premium DX 20 Tablets

Available for ages 15 and up.

2 tablets twice a day. However, if symptoms reappear, you can take a third dose .

Effective	Ingredient	Amount (in 2 tablets)
Pain relief, headache improvement	Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen	160mg, 160mg
anti-acid effect	Dried aluminum hydroxide gel	70mg
Improvement of drowsiness and fatigue	Anhydrous caffeine	50mg

This product contains acetaminophen and ibuprofen in a 1:1 ratio, and is recommended for those who want to take both ingredients.

The addition of aluminum hydroxide gel, an ingredient that protects the gastric mucosa, and caffeine anhydrous, an ingredient that aids in analgesia, makes it highly effective.

Estac EX Neo 24 Tablets

Available for ages 15 and up.

2 tablets 3 times a day.

Effective	Ingredient	Amount (in 2 tablets)
Pain relief, headache improvement	Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen	600mg
Suppress sniffles	Isopropamide iodide	6mg
Suppress sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion	Chlorpheniramine maleate	7.5mg
Expectorant	Ambroxol hydrochloride	45mg
Supress a cough	Dihydrocodeine phosphates	24mg
Supress a cough and cut the tongue.	dl-Methylephedrine hydrochloride	60mg
Anti-acid effect	Dried aluminum hydroxide gel	300mg
Improvement of drowsiness and fatigue	Anhydrous caffeine	75mg

Recommended for people with cold symptoms such as sore throat and runny nose as well as headache.

It contains not only painkillers but also anti-inflammatory and anti-cough ingredients.

Pabron Gold A 28 packets

Available for ages 12 and up.

12-14 years: 2/3 packet 3 times a day 　15 years and older: 1 packet 3 times a day

Effective	Ingredient	Amount
Pain relief, headache improvement	Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen	300mg
Suppress sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion	Chlorpheniramine maleate	2.5mg
Expectorant	Guaifenesin	60mg
Supress a cough	Dihydrocodeine phosphates	8mg
Supress a cough and cut the tongue	dl-Methylephedrine hydrochloride	20mg
Improvement of drowsiness and fatigue	Anhydrous caffeine	25mg
Metabolism improvement	Riboflavin (vitamin B2)	4mg

Recommended for people with cold symptoms such as sore throat and runny nose as well as headache.

It contains not only painkillers, but also runny nose and cough suppressants.

Summary

Many people suffer from headaches, and over-the-counter medicines are a common way to deal with them.

Each painkiller has its own characteristics.

Be sure to choose the medicine that best suits your symptoms!

Also, depending on the type and cause of your headache, over-the-counter medications may not be able to help you.

If you do not see any effect after using them, or if the headache persists, visit a medical institution as soon as possible!