Self-medication of migraine and tension-type headache: summary of the evidence-based recommendations of the Deutsche Migräne und Kopfschmerzgesellschaft (DMKG), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurologie (DGN), the Österreichische Kopfschmerzgesellschaft (ÖKSG) and the Schweizerische Kopfwehgesellschaft (SKG)

Table 3 Recommendations of the DMKG, DGN, ÖKG and SKG for self-medication of tension-type headache

Drug or fixed-dose combination	Quality of the scientific evidence	Scientific evidence of efficacy	Clinical impression of effectiveness	Clinical impression of tolerability	Commentary	Recommendation for self-medication
Two tablets of the fixed combination: acetylsalicylic acid (250–265 mg) + paracetamol (200–265 mg) + caffeine (50–65 mg)	A	+++	++	+++	Highlighted recommendation on the basis of the analysed comparative studies	Drug of first choice
Acetylsalicylic acid 1,000 mg	A	++	++	++		Drug of first choice
Diclofenac 12.5 mg	A	++	++	++		Drug of first choice
Diclofenac 25 mg	A	++	++	++	Only in Germany since 2007 prescription free	Drug of first choice
Ibuprofen 400 mg	A	++	++	+++	For 200 mg ibuprofen no data on efficacy	Drug of first choice
Two tablets of the fixed combination: paracetamol (500 mg) + caffeine (65 mg)	A	++	++	+++		Drug of first choice
Paracetamol 1,000 mg	B	+	+	+++		Drug of second choice
Acetylsalicylic acid + paracetamol	C	(+)	++	+++		Only in individual cases
Acetylsalicylic acid + vitamin C	D	0	++	++		Only in individual cases
Naproxen resp. naproxen sodium	D	0	+	++	Efficacy from 200 to 250 mg naproxen or naproxen-sodium is not proofed	Only in individual cases
Phenazone or phenazone-containing combinations	D	0	+	++		Only in individual cases
Propyphenazone mono or in combinations	D	0	+	++		Only in individual cases

ISSN: 1129-2377