Over-The-Counter Drugs For Migraine 

When looking for an over-the counter (OTC) drug to relieve your migraine symptoms, do you get confused by the aisles of pain relievers? There are so many different brands with so many different choices and they come in all sorts of forms. How do you choose? In the U.S., there are three over-the-counter drugs that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to specifically treat migraine headaches. They are Excedrin Migrain, Advil Migraine and Motrin Migraine Pain.

Let us take a closer look at these three over-the-counter migraine drugs.

Excedrin Migraine

Active Ingredients: Acetaminophen 250g, Aspirin 250mg, Caffeine 65mg.

Forms: Geltabs, Tablets, Capsules.
This was the first over the counter drug approved by the FDA for treatment of migraine. Recommended dosage for adults should not exceed 2 tablets in a 24 hour period. Excedrin has established a fine reputation among consumers.

Advil Migraine

Active Ingredients: Ibuprofen 200mg. Also contains 20mg of potassium.
Forms: Liquid filled capsule.
Advil Migraine is the only over-the-counter migraine medication available in liquid capsule form. This solubilized form is suppose to work more quickly in bringing relief. Recommended dosage for adults should not exceed 2 tablets in a 24 hour period. It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

Motrin Migraine Pain

Active Ingredient: Ibuprofen 200mg.
Forms: Caplets.
Recommended dosage for adults is one or two caplets, not exceeding two caplets per 24 hours. It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).You should be aware that Motrin Migraine pills are smaller than most other migraine pills. The advantage here is that they are easier to swallow. However, they could easily be mistaken for candy by a small child so be sure to keep them out of reach of the young ones.

You might wonder, what is the “magic formula” in these over-the-counter migraine drugs? How does it differ from the regular pain relievers? It is interesting to note that by comparing the active ingredients in the drugs, you might find no difference at all. Excedrin Migraine and Excedrin Extra Strength has the same active ingredients in the same amounts. Advil Migraine is equal to Advil Liqui-Gels. They only differ in color and shape. Motrin Migraine Pain is the same as Motrin IB Caplets.

So why are these drug companies repackaging products they already have on the shelf, calling it a different name and giving the impression that it's something new? Well, these drugs were approved by FDA to be migraine specific drugs and therefore required different labellings. So even though the active ingredients are the same, there are differences in the indications/use, dosage/directions and labeled warning statements. So now that you know this, maybe you could save a few bucks the next time you go shopping.

The effectiveness of the above drugs varies from person to person. It may work for you or it may not. These over-the-counter migraine drugs are more likely to relief migraine sufferers with mild to moderate pain. To increase the chances of it helping, you need to take them at the onset of a migraine attack. Do not wait for the pain to escalate. Do give the drugs a fair number of tries, lets say for three attacks. If it fails to give adequate relief majority of the time, then switch medication. Do not use these over-the-counter drugs too frequently. Overuse could lead to rebound headaches. If you find yourself using them three or more days per week, seek consultation with a physician.

Some other precautions to take while using over-the-counter drugs:

• These medications contain powerful ingredients with possible side effects. Therefore it is important to read and follow the directions found on the product label with exactness.

• Over-the-counter drugs can have adverse interactions with other prescription medications. Always check with your doctor first.

• If you are taking more than one over-the-counter drug, compare the active ingredients. Unless instructed by your doctor, do not simultaneously take different medications with the same active ingredients.

There is a fairly new over-the-counter medication that is classed as a homeopathic drug. GelStat Migraine has been recognized by the nonprofit National Migraine Association and is the first over-the-counter abortive treatment. Meaning it's goal is to stop a migraine from escalating. It is not a preventive medication. The active ingredients are feverfew and ginger. Unlike other pain relievers, no significant or long-term side effects have been reported. So far it has not been associated with rebound headaches either. Effectiveness of the product would depend on how you successfully react to it. There is still no one drug that fits all. You still need to test if it works for you.