Can You Take Ibuprofen for Migraine?

Here’s what you need to know about this over-the-counter pain reliever for migraine.

We all know that migraine is more than a tough headache. When migraine strikes, you want fast relief. You’ve likely tried an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever. But with so many OTC choices, you might wonder which one works.

There are many treatment options available for migraine. One convenient option is ibuprofen. A 2013 research review showed that it’s a good first choice to manage acute migraine.

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Is ibuprofen an effective migraine treatment?

Yes, a 2015 research review showed that it’s effective for relieving mild to moderate migraine pain. The American Headache Society (AHS) recommends NSAIDs like ibuprofen as effective first-line treatment for migraine in adults.

A 2019 research review showed that ibuprofen is also recommended by AHS for migraine in children and adolescents. Ask your child’s doctor for more information about migraine treatment in children.

Ibuprofen belongs to a group of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

There’s still a lot to learn about what causes a migraine attack. But researchers say that during a migraine attack, prostaglandins cause inflammation of blood vessels in your brain, which triggers pain. Ibuprofen may help relieve pain by blocking the effects of prostaglandin.

Ibuprofen is used for:

• reduction of fever
• inflammation
• pain relief

What’s the average dose of ibuprofen for migraine?

The dose of ibuprofen you take depends on several factors and may be different for different people. Factors that will affect your recommended dose of ibuprofen include:

• age
• weight (children)
• any health conditions you may have (kidney or stomach conditions)
• severity of migraine

A 2001 study showed that an ibuprofen dose of 200 milligrams (mg) or 400 mg can be effective for migraine pain relief.

The best dose for you depends on the severity of your symptoms and other factors. Your doctor can tell you what dose is best for you.

A 2013 research review showed that the 400-mg dose is better for 2-hour migraine relief in adults.

Be sure to talk with your child’s doctor about migraine symptoms and ibuprofen dosage for your child.

What are the side effects of taking ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen does have some side effects. For most people these are mild and are not bothersome.

However, some people may experience more serious reactions. See the ibuprofen risk section below for more information on the significant risks of ibuprofen.

Before taking ibuprofen, talk with your doctor about:

• your migraine symptoms
• frequency of migraine attacks
• other medications you take

They can tell you how to manage any side effects and about drug interactions.

Taking ibuprofen with food or milk can help with stomach-related side effects.

Some side effects of ibuprofen may include:

• diarrhea
• dizziness
• bloating
• gas
• heartburn
• nausea
• stomach pain
• vomiting

This is not a full list of side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information on all the side effects of ibuprofen.

What are the risks of taking ibuprofen?

If you have certain health conditions, ibuprofen may not be safe for you to take. These risks include:

• high blood pressure
• heart attack, stroke, heart failure
• kidney disease
• liver cirrhosis
• asthma
• heartburn

If you’re pregnant or nursing, ask your doctor if ibuprofen is safe for you to take.

You may have a higher risk of stomach bleeding if you:

• are 60 years old or older
• have a history of stomach ulcers (bloody dark stools, nausea, loss of appetite)
• take blood thinners
• take other NSAIDs,
• drink more than 3 alcoholic drinks daily
• take ibuprofen longer than recommended (ask your doctor)

Don’t take ibuprofen if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to this type of medication (NSAIDs).

Taking ibuprofen too often for migraine may lead to overuse rebound headaches. According to Harvard Health Publishing, taking ibuprofen or other OTC pain medication for more than 15 days per month for migraine can increase your risk for rebound headache.

Can you overdose on ibuprofen?

Yes, you can overdose on ibuprofen. Taking too much ibuprofen can cause dangerous side effects and, in some cases, may be life threatening.

Always take the exact dose of ibuprofen your doctor or pharmacist recommends. Do not take more than 1200 mg of ibuprofen in 24 hours unless your doctor recommends otherwise.

Some symptoms of an overdose include:

• blurred vision
• dizziness
• coma
• trouble breathing (blue lips, nose, mouth)
• low blood pressure
• little to no urine production
• seizures

What other drugs may interact with ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen can interact with other medications. Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know about all your medications including OTC products.

Some interactions include:

• Alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol with ibuprofen may increase stomach-related side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if alcohol is safe with ibuprofen.
• Aspirin: Taking aspirin with ibuprofen can increase the risk of serious side effects, including stomach-related side effects.
• NSAIDs: Taking more than one NSAID at a time can increase the risk of side effects.
• Diuretics: Also sometimes called water pills, diuretics can increase the risk of kidney conditions.
• Lithium: Taking lithium with ibuprofen can cause lithium to build up in your body and increase the risk of side effects.
• Methotrexate: Taking methotrexate with ibuprofen can cause methotrexate levels to build up and increase serious side effects.
• Blood thinners: Taking blood thinners like (warfarin) with ibuprofen may increase your bleeding risk.

This is not a full list of interactions. Talk with your doctor about the safety of using ibuprofen with these drugs.

Are there other medications to treat migraine?

There are several types of medication options for migraine to both prevent and treat the condition. Treatment may also involve combining different options to maximize benefits. There are many medications to treat migraine, and some types of birth control can help.

Your doctor will guide you on which type of medication may work for you based on:

• how often you experience migraine
• your past history with migraine treatment (what has or hasn’t worked)
• your age
• your health conditions

Ask your doctor about how ibuprofen compares with other treatment options for your migraine symptoms.

You can also talk with your doctor about your migraine triggers, frequency of migraine episodes, symptoms, and treatment options. Recognizing signs and symptoms of an oncoming migraine and treating early is the best way to avoid a prolonged migraine attack.

The takeaway

Migraine can be debilitating and interrupt your daily activities, so it’s important to have fast, convenient treatment options on hand.

Ibuprofen is available OTC in different dosage forms for ease of use. It offers fast pain relief that has proven to work for many people with migraine.

Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of ibuprofen for your migraine symptoms.