Whether or not a headache will respond to pain medication largely depends on the type of headache you’re experiencing. There are more than 150 different types of headaches in total, although some are a lot more common than others. A few of the most common types include tension, migraines, exertion and hormonal.

Tension headaches – the most common type – are most likely to respond to over-the-counter medication, Dr Powles explains. Exertion headaches also tend to respond well to pain medication, while others – like cluster headaches – don’t respond at all. Having two types of headaches at the same time can also make them less likely to respond to medication.

Migraines can be tricky too. “Usually, migraines need specific medication designed to be taken as soon as the first symptoms of migraine are felt,” he says. That doesn’t mean that ibuprofen or paracetamol won’t take the edge off – in some cases, they can be effective. However, overusing painkillers can make the situation worse. In these cases, headaches may become resistant to medication simply because of overuse.

“Why do some headaches seem to be resistant to painkillers?”