TENSION-TYPE Headache Treatments

There are two goals when treating any type of headache: prevent future attacks; abort or relieve current pain. Prevention includes taking prescribed medications, avoiding or minimizing the causes, and learning self-help measures, such as biofeedback or relaxation exercises. If your doctor suggests medications, you should realize that they may take several weeks to become effective and they can have side effects. Thus, you must be patient and cooperate with your doctor to find the optimal treatment.

Butalbital and acetaminophen combination is a pain reliever and relaxant. It is used to treat tension headaches. Butalbital belongs to the group of medicines called barbiturates. Barbiturates act in the central nervous system (CNS) to produce their effects.

When you take butalbital for a long time, your body may get used to it so that larger amounts are needed to produce the same effects. This is called tolerance to the medicine. Also, butalbital may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence) when it is used for a long time or in large doses. Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal side effects when you stop taking the medicine. In patients who get headaches, the first symptom of withdrawal may be new (rebound) headaches.

Some butalbital and acetaminophen combinations also contain caffeine. Caffeine may help to relieve headaches. However, caffeine can also cause physical dependence when it is used for a long time. This may lead to withdrawal (rebound) headaches when you stop taking it.

Butalbital and acetaminophen combination may also be used for other kinds of headaches or other kinds of pain as determined by your doctor.

  

Preventive Treatment/Chronic Headaches
As you review these, remember that all medications have side effects, and you should discuss them with your doctor.

NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents)
Fenoprofen
Flurbiprofen
Ketoprofen
Naproxen
Nabumetone
Oxaprozine

Antidepressants — Tricyclics (non-sedating)
Protriptyline
Desipramine

Antidepressants — Tricyclics (sedating)
Amitriptyline
Doxepin
Nortriptyline
Imipramine

Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
These antidepressants act only on the neurotransmitter serotonin.

Fluoxetine
Sertraline
Paroxetine
Nefazodone
Venlafazine
Citalopram
Escitalopram

Others
Trazodone
Bupropion
Phenelzine (MAOI — Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor)

Abortive Treatment/Chronic Headaches
All over-the-counter and prescription medications can have side effects. Over-using medications, beyond the labeling instructions and doctor’s prescription, can lead to dependence and rebound headaches.

NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Agents).
Ibuprofen
Diclofenac
Ketorolac
Flurbiprofen
Meclofenate

Muscle Relaxants/Analgesics
Carisoprodol
Orphenadrine citrate
Chlorzoxazone
Methocarbamol
Cyclobenzaprine HCL
Metaxalone
Baclofen

Other
Isometheptene mucate-Dichloralphenazone-Acetaminophen combinations