Review article

The Role of the Community Pharmacist in the Management of Headaches Focusing on Migraine

Ana Galić Skoko

Abstract

One of the most common public health problems is the headache, which significantly affects the ability to perform daily activities and quality of life. Ninety percent of all headaches in the general population are primary headaches - mostly migraine, tension-type headache, and cluster headache. Headaches are often under-diagnosed and under-treated. The trend of self-medication of headaches is becoming more widespread and the pharmacist has an important role to give the patient precise, objective and exact information in this process. Each patient with a headache needs individualization of therapeutic approach. Pharmaceutical counselling includes data collection of the frequency, duration and intensity of episodic attacks, type and location of pain, use and effect of over-the-counter medications and prescribed therapy. After assessing the patient’s health and safety of self-medication, optimal self-medication is recommended, or the patient is referred to a general practitioner to prevent the development of chronic headaches or medication overuse headache, make an accurate diagnosis and determine effective therapy. The aim of safe and effective treatment is to reduce the frequency and intensity of attacks and to prevent the potential chronification of pain and overuse of analgesics. Consultation and advising with a pharmacist ensure more successful self-medication or treatment of headaches.

Keywords

headache; pharmacist; migraine; self-medication

Hrčak ID:

257533

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/257533

Publication date:

17.5.2021.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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