Many people take painkillers, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, to help with the occasional tension headache. That’s fine, but people with chronic tension headache get headaches 15 days a month or more. You shouldn’t take painkillers this often. Taking painkillers more than two or three times a week can actually cause more headaches.
In one study, 75 in 100 people had fewer headaches when they cut down on painkillers. If you take painkillers regularly, talk to your doctor. They will be able to help you find another treatment.
The antidepressant drugs amitriptyline and mirtazapine (Zispin SolTab) can help with chronic tension headache. Taking one of these drugs regularly can mean you get fewer headaches. The headaches you do have should get better faster. Your doctor will start you on a low dose and increase it gradually. You’ll probably take an antidepressant for about six months. After this time, your doctor may want to see how you get on without the drug. If your headaches come back, you’ll be able to start treatment again.
Antidepressants can cause side effects. In one study:
* About 6 in 10 people who took amitriptyline felt sleepy
* About 5 in 10 people got a dry mouth
* About 2 in 10 people put on weight
Another study found that mirtazapine was less likely to cause these side effects than amitriptyline.
Research has found that taking antidepressants can make some people, especially those under 18, more likely to think about suicide or self-harm. This is more likely in the early stages of your treatment, or if the dose of your antidepressant is changed. If you’re taking an antidepressant and are worried about any thoughts or feelings you have, see your doctor straight away.
Tranquillisers are drugs that help you feel calm. There’s been some research on a drug called diazepam for chronic tension headache. But researchers found diazepam caused only a small improvement, and it has serious side effects. You can get addicted, and it can make you drowsy, confused and forgetful.
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