1. News Bites Caffeine Eases Headache Pain HS 460

2. It has long been known that when caffeine is combined with acetaminophen or aspirin in pain relievers such as Extra Strength Excedrin, it bolsters the medication’s ability to relieve pain. Now a new study suggests that caffeine also relieves garden-variety headaches when combined with ibuprofen, the active ingredient in Advil and Motrin, and even acts independently to reduce pain. It has long been known that when caffeine is combined with acetaminophen or aspirin in pain relievers such as Extra Strength Excedrin, it bolsters the medication’s ability to relieve pain. Now a new study suggests that caffeine also relieves garden-variety headaches when combined with ibuprofen, the active ingredient in Advil and Motrin, and even acts independently to reduce pain.

3. Researchers at the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago looked at 385 people who typically got tension headaches several times a month. Each person was given 1 of 4 pills to take next time a headache struck: a combination pill containing 400 milligrams of ibuprofen (the amount in 2 tablets of Advil) and 200 milligrams of caffeine (the amount in about 2 cups of coffee); ibuprofen pills alone; caffeine alone; or a “dummy” placebo pill. Overall, those who took the caffeine alone reported a reduction in pain for about an hour and a half after taking the pill. But then the effect wore off and the pain returned. Researchers at the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago looked at 385 people who typically got tension headaches several times a month. Each person was given 1 of 4 pills to take next time a headache struck: a combination pill containing 400 milligrams of ibuprofen (the amount in 2 tablets of Advil) and 200 milligrams of caffeine (the amount in about 2 cups of coffee); ibuprofen pills alone; caffeine alone; or a “dummy” placebo pill. Overall, those who took the caffeine alone reported a reduction in pain for about an hour and a half after taking the pill. But then the effect wore off and the pain returned.

4. Just the opposite occurred among the people in the ibuprofen-alone group: they didn’t feel any relief for more than an hour after taking the drug, but once it kicked in, it gave them relief for more than 5 hours. Not surprisingly, headache sufferers who took the combination pill experienced more hours of relief than any of the other groups. Just the opposite occurred among the people in the ibuprofen-alone group: they didn’t feel any relief for more than an hour after taking the drug, but once it kicked in, it gave them relief for more than 5 hours. Not surprisingly, headache sufferers who took the combination pill experienced more hours of relief than any of the other groups.

5. Experts suspect caffeine helps alleviate headaches by constricting the blood vessels in the head, which slightly decreases blood flow there. In fact, that helps explain why many caffeine “addicts” suffer pounding withdrawal headaches when they don’t get their usual “fix.” Without caffeine, the blood vessels in the head area dilate and the extra blood creates throbbing pressure. Experts suspect caffeine helps alleviate headaches by constricting the blood vessels in the head, which slightly decreases blood flow there. In fact, that helps explain why many caffeine “addicts” suffer pounding withdrawal headaches when they don’t get their usual “fix.” Without caffeine, the blood vessels in the head area dilate and the extra blood creates throbbing pressure.

6. The researchers point out that headache sufferers may not need the 200-milligram “dose” they used in the study. Caffeine- containing drugs currently on the market contain no more than 130 milligrams per standard dose, which may be the threshold at which the effect kicks in. The researchers point out that headache sufferers may not need the 200-milligram “dose” they used in the study. Caffeine- containing drugs currently on the market contain no more than 130 milligrams per standard dose, which may be the threshold at which the effect kicks in.

7. Tafts University Tafts University Health and Nutrition Letter Health and Nutrition Letter Vol. 15, No. 4, June 1997 Vol. 15, No. 4, June 1997