What can you take every day for headaches? A Guide to Safe and Effective Daily Treatment

October 10, 2025 •

4 min read

Medication overuse headaches affect up to 1-2% of the general population and are a key reason why you cannot take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers every day for headaches. While OTC drugs offer occasional relief, a chronic condition requires a doctor-prescribed, long-term preventive strategy to reduce frequency and severity safely.

Quick Summary

Prescribed preventive therapies are the safe and recommended approach for frequent or chronic headaches, unlike the overuse of over-the-counter pain relievers, which can lead to serious side effects and rebound headaches.

Key Points

Avoid Daily OTC Meds: Taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen every day is not recommended and can lead to medication overuse headaches and other health risks.
Consult a Doctor for Chronic Headaches: If you experience headaches frequently (more than a couple of times a week), seek medical advice to explore safe, daily preventive treatment options.
Consider CGRP Inhibitors for Migraine: Newer CGRP inhibitor drugs, available as oral tablets (gepants) or injections/infusions (mAbs), are highly effective, targeted preventive options for chronic migraines.
Explore Older Preventive Options: Established preventive medications include beta-blockers, certain antidepressants (like amitriptyline), and anti-seizure drugs (like topiramate).
Incorporate Non-Drug Strategies: Lifestyle changes, stress management techniques like biofeedback, and supplements like magnesium and riboflavin can complement medication therapy.
Understand Risk of Medication Overuse Headache (MOH): Daily or excessive use of acute headache medications can create a cycle of rebound headaches, making the condition worse and harder to treat.

The Dangers of Daily Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

Many people reach for readily available pain relievers like ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or acetaminophen when a headache strikes. While effective for occasional pain, medical experts strongly advise against taking these over-the-counter (OTC) medications daily for an extended period. The primary danger is the development of a medication overuse headache (MOH), also known as a rebound headache. This occurs when the body becomes dependent on the pain medication, and the headaches worsen or return as the drug wears off, creating a vicious cycle of more frequent and intense pain.

Beyond MOH, consistent, daily use of OTC pain relievers carries serious health risks:

NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen): Long-term daily use can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, stomach ulcers, and kidney damage. For individuals with a history of heart or kidney disease, NSAIDs can be particularly dangerous.
Acetaminophen: While generally safe in recommended doses, chronic daily use, especially with alcohol, can lead to severe liver damage.

For anyone experiencing headaches more than two or three times a week, a doctor's consultation is necessary to explore safer, long-term solutions.

Moving from Treatment to Prevention

When headaches become a chronic issue (occurring 15 or more days per month for at least three months), the focus shifts from simply treating the pain to preventing it. Preventive therapy aims to reduce the frequency and severity of headaches, leading to fewer attacks and a better quality of life. This is managed with prescription medications that are safe for daily use under medical supervision. The choice of medication depends on the specific type of headache (e.g., migraine, tension-type) and individual health factors.

Key Preventive Medication Classes

Doctors may prescribe a variety of daily medications to prevent chronic headaches, with a recent shift towards newer, migraine-specific treatments.

Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) Inhibitors

This newer class of drugs is uniquely designed to target the CGRP pathway, which is involved in migraine pain. They represent a significant advancement in migraine prevention due to their targeted action and typically more favorable side effect profile compared to older treatments.

Types of CGRP inhibitors include:

Monoclonal Antibodies (mAbs): Administered via injection (erenumab, galcanezumab, fremanezumab) or infusion (eptinezumab) every one to three months. They work by blocking the CGRP molecule or its receptor.
Gepants: These are oral tablets that block the CGRP receptor. Examples include atogepant (Qulipta), taken daily for prevention, and rimegepant (Nurtec ODT), approved for both acute and preventive use.

Older, Established Preventive Medications

Beta-Blockers: Originally for blood pressure, drugs like propranolol and metoprolol are effective for migraine prevention.
Antidepressants: Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, are commonly used for both migraine and chronic tension-type headache prevention.
Anti-seizure Medications: Topiramate (Topamax) and divalproex sodium (Depakote) are effective for migraine prevention, though they may have notable side effects.
Botox Injections: OnabotulinumtoxinA is FDA-approved for chronic migraine and involves injections into head and neck muscles every 12 weeks.

Comparison of Preventive Medication Classes


Medication Class	Delivery Method	Common Indications	Notable Considerations
CGRP Inhibitors	Oral tablet, injection, infusion	Chronic/episodic migraine prevention	First-line option with high efficacy, fewer side effects. Often more expensive.
Beta-Blockers	Oral tablet	Migraine prevention, high blood pressure	Established efficacy, but may cause fatigue, depression. Inexpensive.
Tricyclic Antidepressants	Oral tablet	Chronic tension-type headache, migraine, depression	Established efficacy, can cause dry mouth, weight gain.
Anti-seizure Medications	Oral tablet	Migraine prevention, seizures	Effective, but with potential side effects like dizziness, cognitive issues, weight change.
Botox Injections	Injection	Chronic migraine prevention	Targeted, site-specific treatment administered every 12 weeks.

Complementary and Non-Drug Strategies

In addition to daily medication, lifestyle modifications and supplements can play a crucial role in managing chronic headaches.

Supplements: Magnesium, riboflavin (Vitamin B2), and Coenzyme Q10 are supported by some evidence for migraine prevention. Always discuss supplements with a doctor to ensure safety and proper dosage.
Stress Management: Techniques such as biofeedback, meditation, and cognitive behavioral therapy can help reduce stress, a known headache trigger.
Regular Schedule: Maintaining consistent sleep, eating, and exercise routines can help prevent headaches.

The Critical Role of Your Doctor

It is essential to consult a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis of your headache type. They can determine if your headaches are chronic and whether daily preventive treatment is the best course of action. They can also rule out underlying conditions and create a personalized treatment plan that minimizes risks and maximizes benefits.

Conclusion

For anyone asking, "What can you take every day for headaches?", the answer is a daily, doctor-prescribed preventive medication designed for chronic conditions. Relying on OTC pain relievers daily is dangerous and can create more problems through medication overuse headaches and other serious side effects. New and established preventive therapies offer safe and effective ways to reduce headache frequency and reclaim a better quality of life. Always consult a medical professional before starting any daily regimen. A comprehensive approach that includes a doctor's guidance, medication, and lifestyle adjustments is the safest path forward. For more information on managing chronic headaches, refer to the Mayo Clinic guide on chronic daily headaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Taking OTC pain relievers daily can cause medication overuse headaches (MOH), a condition where frequent medication use leads to more frequent and sometimes more severe headaches. Long-term use of NSAIDs also increases the risk of stomach bleeding and kidney damage, while excessive acetaminophen can harm the liver.

Acute medications are taken to stop a headache or migraine attack once it has already started. Preventive medications are taken daily to reduce the frequency, duration, and severity of headaches over time, preventing attacks from occurring in the first place.

No. The standard over-the-counter analgesics (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen) are not safe for daily, long-term use due to the risk of medication overuse headaches and other serious side effects. Any daily regimen requires a doctor's supervision.

CGRP inhibitors target calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a protein that plays a key role in transmitting migraine pain signals. These medications either block the CGRP molecule itself or block its receptors, preventing or reducing the pain signals.

Some evidence suggests that certain supplements, such as magnesium, riboflavin (B2), and Coenzyme Q10, may help prevent or reduce the frequency of migraines in some individuals. However, their effectiveness can vary, and you should always consult a doctor before starting any supplement.

Side effects vary widely by medication class. For example, beta-blockers may cause fatigue, while tricyclic antidepressants can cause dry mouth or weight gain. Newer CGRP inhibitors are often well-tolerated, but can cause injection-site reactions or constipation.

You should see a doctor if your headaches are frequent (e.g., more than a couple times a week), severe, interfere with daily life, or if your acute medications are no longer effective. It is also critical to seek medical attention if you suspect you are taking too much acute medication.