Excedrin Migraine and other pain relievers marketed for these monster headaches combine acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. For many people who suffer from mild or moderate attacks, that combination works as well as prescription drugs. But if caffeine makes you jittery, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen(Advil, Motrin IB, and generic) and naproxen (Aleve and generic) might be better choices.

 

One caution: Taking pain relievers too often can trigger rebound headaches. If you take pain medication for a headache 10 days in a row or longer each month, get checked out by your doctor. The headaches could stem from an underlying cause such as an inflamed artery or muscle spasm. Your doctor might also help you identify triggers that bring on your migraines.

 

For plain old headaches, NSAIDs or regular Excedrin (with its extra dose of caffeine) should do the trick.