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

...

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.

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