CVS Pharmacy Technician Certification Practice Test

Which drug class is primarily used to treat headache symptoms?

1. Antibiotics

2. Anti-epileptics

3. Analgesics

4. Anti-tussive

The correct answer is: Analgesics

Analgesics are the primary class of drugs used to treat headache symptoms because they are specifically designed to alleviate pain. This category includes non-prescription medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, as well as prescription medications that may be utilized in more severe cases, such as opioids or combination drugs specifically formulated for migraines. The effectiveness of analgesics lies in their ability to interfere with pain signaling pathways in the body, providing relief from the discomfort caused by headaches. Antibiotics are intended to combat bacterial infections and are not effective for headache relief. Similarly, anti-epileptics are used primarily to manage seizure disorders but can sometimes be prescribed as preventative treatments for certain types of headaches; however, they do not directly treat headache pain. Anti-tussives focus on suppressing cough and are unrelated to headache treatment. Thus, analgesics are the most relevant and used class of medication for the symptom of headaches.