Prakt. lékáren. 2015; 11(4): 141-143
Over-the-counter medicines for headaches - proper selection and possible risks
- Neurologická ambulance Quattromedica Brno
Over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics are divided according to their clinical effect structure to analgesics – anti-inflammatory drugs
(ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, dexketoprofen) and analgetics–antipyretics (acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol, propyphenazone), and
according to the number of substances to simple and combined analgesics. OTC analgesics are used in the treatment of migraine, tension-
type headache and minor secondary headaches. The choice of the drug depends on the intensity of pain, the presence of associated
symptoms, other used medications (warfarin, aspirin, other nonsteroidal anti-inflamatory drugs, corticosteroids, antidepressants, oral
antidiabetic drugs) and complicating diseases (stomach and duodenal ulcers, arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease, bronchial
asthma, disease of liver and kidney). Polymorbid persons have higher risk of interactions OTC analgesics with other frequent medication.
Medical examination should be recomended to people with a higher frequency of headaches and suspected abuse of analgesics.
Keywords: OTC analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, headache
Published: September 15, 2015 Show citation
References
- The Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society: The International Classification of Headache Disorders. 3rd edition (beta version). Cephalgia 2013; 33(9): 629-808.
Go to original source... 
Go to PubMed... - Rokyta R, Kršiak M, Kozák J. Bolest. Praha: Tigis 2006: 684.
- Opavský J. Bolest v ambulantní praxi. Maxdorf Jessenius, 2011: 398.
- Opavský J, Kršiak M, Miloschewsky D. Farmakologie a farmakoterapie bolesti. Bolest 2000; Suppl. 1(1-12).
- Praško JP, Látalová K, Marková J, Vondráčková D, Kašparová L, Novotná H. Brevíř 2011/2012. Psychiatrie/neurologie/léčba bolesti, třetí doplněné a rozšířené vydání. Praha: Medical Tribune, 2011: 1064.
- Straube A, Aicher B, Fiebich BL, Haag G. Combined analgesics in (headache) pain therapy: shotgun approach or precise multi-target therapeutics? BMC Neurology 2011; 1: 43. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
- Pfaffenrath V, Diener H, Pageler L, Peil H, Aicher B. OTC analgesics in headache treatment: Open label phase vs randomsed double-blind phase of large clinical trial. Headache 2009; 49: 638-645. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
- Laska EM, Sunschine A, Mueller F, Evers W, Siegel C, Rubin A. Caffein as an analgesics adjutant. JAMA 1984; 251(13): 1711-1718. Go to original source...
- SPC Guajacuran. Dostupný z www: http://www.sukl.cz/modules/medication/search.php
- Diklofenak - CMDh schválila doporučení Výboru PRAC. Dostupný na www: http://www.sukl.cz/diklofenak-cmdh-schvalila-doporuceni-vyboru-prac.
- Evers S, Áfra J, Frese A, Goadsby PJ, Linde M, May A, Sándor PS. EFNS guideline on the drug treatment of migraine - revised report of an EFNS task force. European Journal of Neurology. 2009; 16: 968-981. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...
- Bendtsen L, Evers S, Linde M, Mitsikostas DD, Sandrini G, Schoenen J. EFNS guideline on the treatment of tension-type headache. Report of an EFNS task force. Eur J Neurol 2010; 17: 1318-1325. Go to original source... Go to PubMed...