Also known as:
Rebound headache
Drug-induced headache
Analgesic headache
Paradoxically, in some people with migraine, high use of painkillers can cause headache. Frustratingly in chronic migraine sufferers, medication-overuse headaches often mimic migraine headaches and can be very difficult to treat.
Medication-overuse headache typically occurs in people with chronic migraine who use high levels of painkillers for more than 3 consecutive months. The threshold for developing medication-overuse headache appears to vary depending on what type of painkillers are used:
On 15 or more days per month
Paracetamol (Acetaminophen)
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Ibuprofen)
On 10 or more days per month
Triptans (e.g. Sumatriptan)
Opioids (e.g. Codeine)
Mixed (e.g. Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) and Codeine)
Medication-overuse headache is best treated by reducing the number of days in a given month when painkillers are taken. In most instances (except for medication containing opioids) withdrawing painkiller medication is safe. The beneficial effects of withdrawing painkiller medication may take up to 8-weeks and in the majority of people headaches get worse before they get better. Successful painkiller withdrawal is best achieved in conjunction with migraine preventative medication.
If using excessive opioid medication then consult your Healthcare Professional before planning any withdrawal.