AboutJoe Haynes, R.Ph., MBA Expertise I can answer pharmacy/pharmacology questions as they relate to both pediatric and adult therapies. Please note that since I practice in Florida that I may not be able to answer specific questions regarding pharmacy practice in your state.
As a disclaimer, I have no financial interest in recommending or failing to recommend any drug product. My goal is to give you the best answer to your questions regardless of product.
Experience I have 24 years experience in pharmacy practice including pediatric and adult hospital, home-infusion, and long-term care (nursing home/ALF). I enjoy assisting with pediatric dosing and medication questions since children respond differently and are dosed differently than adults. I can help you determine if the dose you want to administer to your child is appropriate. I am currently director of pharmacy for a small community hospital in St. Petersburg, FL.
Organizations Florida Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists
American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists
Florida Pharmacy Association
Education/Credentials BS in Microbiology from Auburn University (1989)
BS in Pharmacy from Northeastern University (1994)
MBA (generalist) from St. Leo University (2005)
Question A few times a month I'll get a headache that I'd really rather do without. Fortunately, the pharmaceutical Imitrex takes care of it. Unfortunately, the Imitrex costs a small fortune, and I don't feel comfortable spending maybe $80/month for the stuff.
So I wonder: is there anything that has a reasonable chance of being effective against a headache of a kind that Imitrex hits well, but that's not expensive? I'm entirely open to non-prescription approaches, like herbs or supplements, as well as to pharmaceuticals.
Thanks for your help once again, Mr. Haynes.
Answer Vascular type headaches like yours sometimes respond well to caffeine (either coffee, soda, Excedrin tablets, or even No-Doz). because caffeine constricts the vessels in the brain to reduce the pulsating effect that you feel.
Back in the 70-80' there was a drug called Cafergot (ergotamine and caffeine) that was frequently prescribed for migraines (but it is no longer available).
That's the cheapest as far as cost is concerned. There are preventative medications that are available generically such as valproic acid and carbamaezepine that would help in averting the headache before it starts.
