Seek emergency care for a sudden, extremely severe headache, new weakness, trouble speaking, confusion, or high fever with a stiff neck. Do not wait for a painkiller to work in these situations.
Developed by Nương Nương from headache specialist Dr. Shuu-Jiun Wang’s (王署君) discussion on 博音 EP246, with the clinical guidance linked below. General education for adults; this article has not received individual clinician review.
1. Pain relief can be a sensible choice
When discussing fear of medicine, Dr. Wang does not present enduring pain as a way to train pain tolerance. The useful takeaway is to seek appropriate relief when pain disrupts life. This paraphrases his discussion; it does not mean every headache should be self-treated.
Ask both “What could help me feel better now?” and “Why does this keep happening?” A suitable medicine may answer the first. The second may need a conversation with a clinician.
2. Read the active ingredients first
Paracetamol, also called acetaminophen, appears in many pain-relief and cold-and-flu products. Check every product you are taking to avoid duplication; an overdose can damage the liver. Follow the packet or your prescription, including dose intervals and limits.
Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Do not add another NSAID, such as naproxen, yourself. Ask a pharmacist or clinician about suitability if you are pregnant, have had stomach ulcers, liver or kidney disease, asthma or painkiller reactions, or take other medicines. One option does not suit everybody.
3. Timing belongs to your headache plan
If you have diagnosed migraine, follow your agreed plan for an attack. NHS guidance advises taking a painkiller when the headache starts; you do not need to wait until pain is severe before following the advice you have been given.
That does not mean taking medicine pre-emptively for every unfamiliar symptom. A new severe headache, a substantial change in pattern or a worrying new symptom needs assessment. A medicine that works for a friend is also not enough information to choose your own treatment.
4. Notice when taking tablets becomes routine
Using acute headache medicine too frequently can contribute to medication-overuse headache. This is a clinical diagnosis involving the medicine, headache frequency and duration of use. It is not a reason to label yourself “addicted” after reaching a single number.
Arrange a review if you need medicine on more and more days, it no longer helps as before, or headaches disrupt work and sleep. Do not simply increase doses, cycle through products or abruptly stop prescribed treatment yourself. A clinician can review acute treatment and consider appropriate prevention.
When pain keeps returning, the next useful addition may be a care plan, rather than another tablet.
5. Bring a clearer picture to your appointment
You do not need to remember every episode. Briefly record the date, duration, pain, accompanying symptoms, medicine taken and effect on daily life. Medicine names and days of use are as useful to note as pain severity.
Later in the interview, Dr. Wang discusses control and prevention when headaches recur. A simple record gives that conversation a starting point: what happens, what you have tried, and what you want to be able to do more comfortably.
6. Choose the next step for this episode
For familiar pain without warning signs, check the medicine instructions and your existing care plan. If ingredients or suitability are unclear, take the packet to a pharmacist. For frequent, persistent or worsening headaches, book an assessment instead of repeatedly changing medicines.
Alongside the emergency signs above, headache following a head injury or with loss of vision needs emergency assessment. A new or severe headache during pregnancy or after birth needs urgent medical advice. Taking care of yourself includes recognising when to ask for help.
