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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
There are a few types of OTC medications available to treat migraine. For the most part, they’re used to address the symptoms of a migraine attack that’s underway rather than to prevent a migraine attack.You can typically find these in a capsule or tablet form at your local grocery or drugstore. The amount of medication contained in an individual capsule or tablet can vary, so be sure to check the packaging before taking it.The following medications are first-line treatments for migraine. This means they’re generally the first types of treatment doctors recommend. As such, it’s possible they may not be effective for everyone, particularly when migraine pain is severe.It’s also worth noting that the earlier you take any of the listed medications during a migraine attack, the more effective they are at relieving symptoms.Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)Traditional NSAIDs like ibuprofen work by inhibiting enzymes called cyclooxygenase (COX) 1 and 2. By blocking these enzymes, NSAIDs prevent the formation of compounds called prostaglandins, which contribute to pain and swelling.The recommended dose of ibuprofen for migraine attacks is 400 milligrams (mg). However, doses up to 800 mg have been used.A 2024 review of 137 studies found that ibuprofen was 1.41 to 4.82 times better at managing migraine symptoms than placebo.Naproxen (Aleve)Naproxen is also an NSAID. It works to ease pain in much the same way as ibuprofen. However, it has a slower time of onset than ibuprofen, meaning it may take longer to feel naproxen’s effects.The typical recommended dose of naproxen for acute migraine pain is 500 mg. In some cases, doses of up to 825 mg have been used.A 2020 review found that although naproxen was superior to placebo for relieving migraine pain, other commonly used pain relievers have reported better results. Researchers didn’t recommend it as a stand-alone treatment for acute migraine pain.Naproxen can better alleviate acute migraine pain when combined with other drugs. For example, taking naproxen with the prescription drug sumatriptan has been found to be more effective than using either of the two drugs alone.However, naproxen should not be combined with other NSAIDs, and you should always consult a doctor before combining medications.AspirinLike ibuprofen and naproxen, aspirin is an NSAID. It works through a similar mechanism to the other NSAIDs we’ve discussed so far.The recommended dose of aspirin for acute migraine pain is up to 1,000 mg.A 2013 review found that this dose of aspirin had a similar
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