Table 9 Drugs for the symptomatic treatment of tension-type headache with a level of recommendation I and II
From: Italian guidelines for primary headaches: 2012 revised version
Drug | Dosage (mg) | Level of recommendation | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
Analgesics and NSAIDs | |||
Acetylsalicylic acid oral | 500–1,000 | I | Good efficacy and tolerability profile. Not recommended in pregnancy and in gastric disease |
Diclofenac–K+ oral | 12.5–50 | II | |
Ibuprofen oral | 400–800 | II | Reduced gastric damage |
Ketoprofen oral | 50–100 | II | |
Lumiracoxib | 200–400 | II | |
Metamizol (dipyrone) oral | 500–1,000 | II | Potential risk of agranulocytosis >0.1 % and of hypotension |
Metamizol (dipyrone) intravenous | 1,000 | II | Tested to treat TTH in the emergency room. Potential risk of agranulocytosis >0.1 % and of hypotension |
Naproxen oral | 275–550 | I | |
Paracetamol oral | 500–1,000 | I | Use with caution in patients with epatic failure |
Combination analgesics | |||
Ibuprofen + caffeine oral | 400 + 200 | II | Risk of abuse and headache chronification with frequent use |
Indometacin + prochlorperazine + caffeine oral | 25 + 2 + 75 | II | See above |
Paracetamol + caffeine oral | 500–1,000 + 30–130 | I | See above |
Paracetamol + acetyilsalicylic acid + caffeine oral | 200–1,000 + 500 + 30–50 | I | See above |