NSAIDs and headaches

[karlerikt]

My question:

When Ibuprofen and Aspirin are NSAIDs and work to inhibit/change the cyclo-oxygenase pathway (COX), then how come they are used to treat SIMPLE HEADACHES? A normal headache is not an inflammation in the brain - a brain inflammation will be something much more serious.

 

Can it be that Ibuprofen is used as a placebo drug against mild headaches all these years?

 

Thank you

Med student year II

[StringJunky]

...

Can it be that Ibuprofen is used as a placebo drug against mild headaches all these years?

 

Thank you

 

Med student year II

I think so. I can. take a headache tablet (any) and within 10 minutes it is subsiding. It is not feasible that the active ingredients have arrived at the necessary areas, in sufficient quantity to start working.

[Prometheus]

My understanding is that inhibiting the COX pathway also inhibits prostaglandin production thus NSAIDs have an analgesic and an anti-inflammatory effect.