Medication-overuse headache
A headache that develops from frequent, regular use of pain relief.
Overview
Medication-overuse headache develops when acute headache medications are used too often, paradoxically maintaining or worsening headaches. Recognising it is key, as the main treatment is carefully reducing the overused medication under guidance.
Symptoms
- Frequent or daily headache
- Headache present on waking
- Reliance on regular pain relief
- Reduced response to medication over time
Causes
- Frequent use of acute headache medication
- An underlying primary headache disorder
- Escalating medication use to chase relief
Treatment
- Education about the cycle of overuse
- Guided withdrawal of the overused medication
- Treating the underlying headache disorder
- Lifestyle and non-drug strategies