Scientists say a common headache medicine dramatically reducesthe risk of developing Parkinson's disease, a physically-disabling brain disorder that mostly strikes elderly adults. in a six-year study of just over 136,000 nurses and health professionals, reaserchers at Harvard University School of Public Health in Massachusetts found that people who take ibuprofen regularly for headache or other pain reduced their risk of developing Parkinson's disease by nearly 40 percent. taking one or two pills of ibuprofen two or more times per week was considered regular use. other non-prescription pain relievers, including aspirin and acetaminophen, did not show a similar protecetive benefit.