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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffTreatment for headaches in children typically depends on your child's age and the type, severity and frequency of headaches.
Medications
A variety of medications, both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription, are available for treating headaches in children. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) — along with lifestyle and home measures — can typically relieve headaches for your child. OTC medications are inexpensive and readily available and don't require a prescription from your doctor.
Children with severe or chronic headaches may require stronger painkillers or preventive medications to reduce the frequency and severity of head pain. The medication strategy differs from child to child, however. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.
Many different medications are used for the treatment of headaches in children:
- Pain relievers (analgesics). Acetaminophen, ibuprofen and a class of drugs known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective in reducing headache pain. Prescription NSAIDs include naproxen (Anaprox, others) and ketorolac tromethamine.
- Pain reliever combination medications. Acetaminophen and other analgesics are often combined with sedatives and other drugs in a single medication. Combination drugs may be more effective than are pure analgesics for pain relief. One combination medication used for children is Midrin, a combination of isometheptene (constricts blood vessels), dichloralphenazone (a mild sedative) and acetaminophen.
- Other medications. Sometimes other medications are used to treat headaches in children. These include triptans, opioids, barbiturates and benzodiazepines, although these medications are typically used with caution because they can be habit-forming. If your child experiences nausea and vomiting with migraines, your doctor may prescribe an anti-nausea drug, such as promethazine (Phenergan).
Medications don't cure headaches, and over time painkillers and other medications may lose their effectiveness. In addition, all medications have side effects. If your child takes medications regularly, including products you buy over-the-counter, discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Therapies
Emotional factors, such as anxiety or stress, can trigger headaches in children. Depression and other mental health disorders also can play a role. For these situations, your doctor may recommend one or more behavior therapies, such as:
- Relaxation training. Relaxation techniques include deep breathing, yoga, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation, which is accomplished by tensing one muscle at a time, and then completely releasing the tension, until every muscle in the body is relaxed. An older child can learn relaxation techniques in classes or at home using books or tapes.
- Biofeedback training. Biofeedback teaches your child to control certain body responses that help reduce pain. During a biofeedback session, your child is connected to devices that monitor and give feedback on body functions, such as muscle tension, heart rate and blood pressure. Your child then learns how to reduce muscle tension and slow his or her heart rate and breathing. The goal of biofeedback is to help your child enter a relaxed state to better cope with pain.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy. This therapy can help your child learn to manage stress and reduce the frequency and severity of headaches. During this type of talk therapy, a counselor helps your child learn ways to view and cope with life events more positively.
- Moe PG, et al. Neurologic and muscular disorders. In: Hay WW Jr., et al. Current Diagnosis and Treatment: Pediatrics. 19th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3405364. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Lewis DW. Headaches in children and adolescents. American Academy of Family Physicians. 2002;65:625.
- Cruse RP. Management of migraine headache in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Cruse RP. Pathophysiology, clinical features, and diagnosis of migraine in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Brazis PW, et al. Approach to the child with headache. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
- Anttila P. Tension-type headache in childhood and adolescence. The Lancet Neurology. 2006;5:268.
- Treatment of migraine headache in children and adolescents. American Academy of Neurology. http://www.aan.com/professionals/practice/pdfs/Headache_Peds_Patients.pdf. Accessed Jan 13, 2009.
- Mack KJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 16, 2009.
- Mahoney KR (expert opinion). Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, Md. Feb. 4, 2009.
- Internal analgesic, antipyretic and antirheumatic drug products for over-the-counter human use: Tentative final monograph. Federal Register.1998;53:46204.
