Got a pounding head and no time to waste? Headaches come in many forms: tension headaches (tight, steady pressure), migraines (throbbing, often with nausea or light sensitivity), and cluster headaches (short, very painful episodes). The first step is to match what you feel to the likely type — that helps pick the right treatment.
For many tension headaches or mild migraines, start simple: rest in a quiet, dark room, sip water, and use an over-the-counter painkiller like paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen. A cold pack on the forehead or a warm neck compress can help depending on where the pain is.
If you get migraines and OTCs don’t help, migraine-specific medicines such as triptans (sumatriptan, sold as Imitrex) often stop an attack when taken early. We have a detailed Imitrex guide that explains how and when to use it. For nausea during migraines, antiemetics can make oral meds work better.
For people who have frequent or severe attacks, preventive options exist: low-dose beta-blockers, amitriptyline, topiramate, or newer CGRP-blocking drugs. These are prescription-only, so talk to your doctor about what fits your health and lifestyle.
Using painkillers too often can backfire. If you take simple pain meds on 15 or more days a month, or triptans/opioids on 10 or more days, you risk medication-overuse headache — where the medicine causes more headaches. Try to limit rescue meds and track your days with pain.
Also check interactions: some migraine preventives and antidepressants change how other drugs act. If you take blood pressure meds, blood thinners, or strong antibiotics, ask a pharmacist or doctor before adding new headache medicines.
Non-drug approaches matter: fix sleep, hydrate, cut back on caffeine (or use a small amount early in an attack), manage stress with simple breathing or short walks, and keep a headache diary to spot triggers like certain foods or missed meals.
Red flags that need urgent care: sudden severe pain ("worst headache of my life"), new neurological signs (slurred speech, weakness, vision loss), fever with stiff neck, or head trauma. If any of those happen, get medical help right away.
Want a quick plan? Try this: 1) Rest and hydrate, 2) Take an OTC painkiller early, 3) If migraine and OTCs fail, use a triptan as directed, 4) Track attacks and talk to your doctor about prevention if attacks are frequent. Small changes can cut attack number and severity.
Need more details on specific drugs or how to use them safely? Check our Imitrex article for migraine-specific guidance and browse other guides for prevention and safe buying tips.
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