You are about to leave Excedrin.com.

Clicking on this link means that you have chosen to leave our website. While we believe that the website which you have selected to visit may be of interest to you, it is an independent web site which is not under our control. As a result, we do not endorse its content and we have no responsibility for its content or privacy practices.

If you do not wish to leave this site, click Cancel.

Or, click OK to continue.

Why It’s Important to Manage Migraine Symptoms ASAP

Discover the benefits of addressing your head pain early.

Do you treat a headache right when you feel one coming on or do you “wait it out?” The answer to this question might alter the effectiveness of your medication.

Why Do Some People Wait to Treat?

In a study of 690 migraine patients, 49% said that they often avoided or delayed taking their migraine medications when they felt an attack coming on.¹ Two common reasons for the delay? “Wanting to wait and see if it is really a migraine attack” (70%) or “only want to take medications if it is a severe attack” (46%).

But that might not be the best course of action: As a migraine evolves, its susceptibility to treatment decreases.

Couple smiles while cooking in a kitchen

Save on Excedrin

Get printable coupons and special offers to save on Excedrin.

Get coupons

Acute Treatment for Migraine

“Acute treatment” is when you’re trying to stop a migraine in progress (as opposed to “preventative” treatment). Acute treatments vary, as every migraine sufferer is different, but may include over-the-counter drugs or prescription ones.

Regardless of the type of drug, your doctor may recommend that acute treatment be taken right away, when symptoms first begin. In fact, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s guidelines for primary care of headaches advises that patients take medication early in a migraine attack to improve effectiveness.²

Be sure to work with your doctor to find the right treatment for your migraines.

And Then There’s the Idea of Sensitization

Sensitization describes the condition where the sensory receptors, called nociceptors, experience increased excitability, making them increasingly sensitive to pain and potentially lowering your pain threshold.

It’s complicated, so think of it like this: thanks to sensitization, you might experience an exaggerated pain response — meaning pain that used to feel like a 4 might now feel like a 7.

The good news? It’s possible that early treatment of pain, before it becomes moderate or severe, could help reduce or even avoid sensitization.

It’s important to visit your doctor to get a migraine diagnosis and discuss the right method of treatment for your pain.

SOURCES
Foley KA, Cady R, Martin V, Adelman J, Diamond M, Bell CF, Dayno JM, Hu XH. Treating early versus treating mild: timing of migraine prescription medications among patients with diagnosed migraine. Headache. 2005 May;45(5):538-45.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15953272.

“Guideline for primary care management of headache in adults.” Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, U.S. Department of Health & Human Service. July 2012.

http://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=47060.

Burstein R, Jakubowski M, Rauch SD. The science of migraine. J Vestib Res. 2011;21(6):305-14. doi: 10.3233/VES-2012-0433. Review.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22348935.

More from Excedrin

8 Surprising Migraine Triggers

Experiencing Your First Migraine?

How to Avoid Your Migraine Triggers While Dining Out

PM-US-XCDRN-22-00121, PM-US-XCDRN-22-00170, PM-US-XCDRN-24-00070

Haleon Huddle unlocks exclusive savings on brands including Excedrin, Advil, Sensodyne and more.

*indicates required field.

I consent to the Haleon group of companies and brands (“Haleon”) collecting my Consumer Health Data. Continue reading...I understand that my Consumer Health Data may be used by Haleon as described in our Washington Consumer Health Data Notice, where I can find the categories of data collected, the purposes of collection, and with whom we may share your information. I understand that if I choose not to consent to Haleon’s collection of my Consumer Health Data, I may not be able to receive certain marketing or informational materials or other forms of communication directly from Haleon or participate in surveys and focus groups. I further understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time as described in the Haleon Washington Consumer Health Data Notice or the Haleon Privacy Notice.

I consent to the Haleon group of companies and brands (“Haleon”) sharing my Consumer Health Data with third parties Continue reading... as described in the Washington Consumer Health Data Notice. I understand that I may withdraw my consent at any time as described in the Haleon Washington Consumer Health Data Notice or the Haleon Privacy Notice.

By signing up for Haleon newsletters, you are certifying you are 18 years of age and older.