100 Migraine Drugs, A to Z: ibuprofen

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Nuprin, Nurofen, etc) is a very effective migraine drug. Of course, patients with severe migraines tell me that for them taking ibuprofen is like eating candy, but even those patients can get better relief if they add ibuprofen (or naproxen) to a triptan such as sumatriptan (Imitrex).

Over-the-counter ibuprofen (Advil Migraine, Motrin Migraine) is officially approved by the FDA for the treatment of migraines, which means that it has been studied in large placebo-controlled trials to prove that it is safe and effective. Ibuprofen was shown to be more effective than acetaminophen in children. The adult dose is 400 mg, while in children it is 10 mg per kilogram of weight.

Liquified form of ibuprofen (Advil Liquigels, Advil Migraine)) and liquid ibuprofen for children tend to work faster than a solid tablet.

Frequent intake of ibuprofen (and other NSAIDs and triptans) is thought to lead to medication overuse headache (MOH), but if this does occur, it is rare and the entire concept of MOH remains controversial. Only caffeine and opioid (narcotic) pain killers have been proven to worsen headaches if taken often. It is not to say that frequent or daily intake of ibuprofen is the best way to manage frequent migraines. Many preventive therapies such as Botox, magnesium, propranolol, and other may be more effective and safer. Frequent use of ibuprofen can cause kidney problems and stomach ulcers, which can bleed and even be fatal.