These medications provide relief from headache symptoms, without a prescription:
Generic name: Aspirin
- Brand name: Bayer®, Bufferin®, Ecotrin®.
- Symptoms relieved: Fever and pain.
- Precautions and possible side effects: Heartburn, gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, bronchospasm or constriction that causes narrowing of the airways, anaphylaxis and peptic ulcer. Don’t give aspirin to children under 14 years old. It can cause a rare but serious disease called Reye’s syndrome.
Generic name: Acetaminophen, paracetamol
- Brand name: Tylenol®.
- Symptoms relieved: Fever and pain.
- Precautions and possible side effects: Changes in blood counts and liver function, but side effects are rare if medication is taken as directed.
Generic name: Ibuprofen (NSAID, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug)
- Brand name: Advil®, Motrin IB®, Nuprin®.
- Symptoms relieved: Fever, pain and inflammation.
- Precautions and possible side effects: GI upset, GI bleeding, nausea, vomiting, rash and changes in liver function.
Generic Name: Naproxen sodium (NSAID)
- Brand name: Aleve®.
- Symptoms relieved: Pain.
- Precautions and possible side effects: GI upset, GI bleeding, nausea, vomiting, rash and changes in liver function.