What can I do to prevent medication overuse headaches?
Preventive medications may help you break the cycle of medication overuse headaches. Work with your doctor to avoid relapsing and to find a safer way to manage your headaches. During or after withdrawal, your doctor may prescribe any of the following daily preventive medications:
What are the treatment options for a headache caused by migraine?
Treatments may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids or dihydroergotamine, an ergot that may be given through a vein (intravenously). There's debate over how much benefit bridge therapy may offer, and whether or not one drug is more effective than others. Withdrawal headaches tend to improve in less than a week.
What supplements can I take to help my Headache?
Herbs, vitamins and minerals. Some dietary supplements — including magnesium, riboflavin (vitamin B2), feverfew and coenzyme Q10 — seem to help prevent or treat some types of headaches, but there's little scientific support for these claims. If you're considering using supplements, check with your doctor.
How are medication overuse headaches diagnosed?
Your doctor can usually diagnose medication overuse headaches based on a history of chronic headaches and frequent use of medication. Testing usually isn't necessary. To break the cycle of medication overuse headaches, you'll need to restrict your pain medication.
What is the most appropriate treatment for medication overuse headaches?
Treatments may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids or dihydroergotamine, an ergot that may be given through a vein (intravenously). There's debate over how much benefit bridge therapy may offer, and whether or not one drug is more effective than others.
What is the treatment for a rebound headache?
Treating rebound headaches But medications that prevent headaches, and nonmedical therapies such as biofeedback and avoiding headache triggers, can help get a person through this medication withdrawal period. Some headache medications can be discontinued abruptly, while others may need to be tapered slowly.
Do medication overuse headaches go away?
Medication overuse headaches usually stop when you stop taking pain medication. It's tough in the short term, but your doctor can help you beat medication overuse headaches for long-term relief.
What is medication overuse headache?
Medication overuse headache (MOH), is a headache that results from the frequent use of acute medicines or painkillers, such as triptans, ergotamines, opiates, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and paracetamol.
Why won't my headache go away after taking medicine?
Taking OTC pain relievers too often, or at a higher dose than advised, could cause more problems. Once the drug wears off, withdrawal symptoms start. This leads to more head pain and the need for more medicine. Doctors call this a rebound headache.
What medications cause headaches?
Which medications can cause medication overuse headaches?Aspirin.Sinus relief medications.Acetaminophen.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen).Sedatives for sleep.Codeine and prescription narcotics.More items...•
Does magnesium cause migraines?
What's the Link Between Magnesium and Migraines? Studies have found that people who have migraines tend to have lower levels of magnesium than people who don't get headaches. Some scientists believe that magnesium blocks signals in the brain that lead to migraines with an aura, or changes in vision and other senses.
Which medications cause rebound headaches?
Which Drugs Cause Rebound Headaches?Aspirin.Sinus relief medications.Acetaminophen.Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen.Sedatives for sleep.Codeine and prescription narcotics.More items...•
Does caffeine cause rebound headaches?
Daily caffeine intake can also lead to medication overuse headache, otherwise known as “rebound” headaches, so if you rely heavily on migraine medications and are concerned about overuse, consider phasing out your coffee habit first.
Is Cervicogenic headache serious?
Although rare, it can be a sign of a tear in one of the neck arteries. This is a common cause of stroke, especially in people under age 45. If you notice any of these signs with a headache, seek emergency care right away: Sudden, severe neck pain.
What are some ways to help a patient with MOH?
Outside of medications, many approaches to MOH may help the patient. These include psychotherapy, physical therapy, meditation, yoga, exercise, biofeedback, massage, and others. It often “takes a village” to help those with MOH.
What medications are used in hospital?
These include IV dihydroergotamine, corticosteroids, antiemetics (such as metoclopramide), and NSAIDs (ketorolac). Patients usually require medication to transition through the withdrawal period.
How to educate a patient about MOH?
It is important to educate the patient regarding MOH. Even simple advice and information may be all that is necessary. The patient needs to understand that MOH is very real and that treating the condition will play an active role in improving their headache situation. Each patient requires a personalized approach. Withdrawal of the offending medications may be accomplished slowly, or all at once. Opioids, butalbital compounds, and analgesics with high amounts of caffeine should be tapered. Triptans can often be abruptly discontinued.
Can you use preventive medication for headaches?
Deciding whether or not to suggest a patient use preventive medications depends upon many factors. If the patient has simple MOH and is able to transition off of the medication, preventive medication may not be necessary. Most patients do have long-standing headaches and have been on various preventive medications, which may include onabotulinumtoxinA and CGRP monoclonal antibodies. These patients will require preventive medications.
Abstract
Introduction The objective of this review is to provide an evidence-based discussion of different treatment strategies for medication-overuse headache (MOH). Method We searched PubMed for articles discussing the treatment and prognosis of MOH published between 2004 and August 2014. Titles, abstract and articles were reviewed systematically.
Fingerprint
Dive into the research topics of 'Treatment of medication-overuse headache: A systematic review'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
How to manage headaches?
First, prevention is better than cure. Keeping track of your headache frequency and treatment (including over-the-counter medications) in a diary will help your doctor fine-tune your headache management plan. If you have frequent headaches, taking preventive medications every day can reduce the frequency of your headaches, decreasing how often you need abortive medications and therefore lowering your risk of MOH.
What do doctors mean by ‘Medication Overuse Headache’?
Medication Overuse Headache (MOH) is a new headache, or the worsening of an existing headache, in patients with a pre-existing headache disorder like migraine that is caused by taking an abortive headache medication too frequently . “Excessive” is defined as taking abortive headache medicine ten or more days per month for at least three months. Patients with MOH have headaches at least fifteen days per month. It can sometimes be difficult to differentiate whether a worsening in headache frequency or severity is due to the progression of the disease or stems from the overuse of abortive medications, or another cause or a combination. Keeping a diary of your headaches and medications can help with diagnosis.
What do Medication Overuse Headaches feel like?
The presentation of MOH can vary depending on each patient’s primary headache disorder and the type of abortive medication being administered.
What medications are common culprits?
Those medications include Aspirin, Tylenol, other anti-inflammatory medications such as Motrin when taken more than fifteen days a month; Fioricet and other medications containing butalbital, triptans, and opioids when taken more than ten days a month. Drinking more than 200mg of caffeine per day (about two large cups of coffee) can exacerbate MOH.
How to stop headaches from getting worse?
There are various ways to ease this transition, including starting or adding a preventative medication to reduce headache frequency, taking a short course of long-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (like naproxen or nabumetone), adding non-pharmacological therapies options like transcranial magnetic stimulation or incorporating behavioral treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy or biofeedback.
How often do you get headaches with MOH?
Patients with MOH have headaches at least fifteen days per month. It can sometimes be difficult to differentiate whether a worsening in headache frequency or severity is due to the progression of the disease or stems from the overuse of abortive medications, or another cause or a combination.
Does MOH help headaches?
MOH treatment can sometimes be challenging. Although the main treatment is stopping the offending abortive medication, not everyone gets better with such intervention. Some patients’ headache symptoms get worse before they improve. If this is the case, your doctor will find ways to help.
Overview
Dr. Chia-Chun Chiang is a neurologist in Rochester, Minnesota and is affiliated with Mayo Clinic. She received her medical degree from National Yang Ming University Medical College and has been in practice between 6-10 years.
Specialties
Neurologists diagnose and treat disorders of the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, muscles, and the involuntary nervous system that controls the heart, lungs and other organs. They treat headaches, stroke, dementia, seizures, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, sleep disorders and neuromuscular diseases.
Insurances Accepted
Please verify your coverage with the provider's office directly when scheduling an appointment.
Diagnosis
- Your doctor can usually diagnose medication overuse headaches based on a history of chronic headaches and frequent use of medication. Testing usually isn't necessary.
Treatment
- To break the cycle of medication overuse headaches, you'll need to restrict your pain medication. Depending on the drug you're taking, your doctor may recommend stopping the medication right away or gradually reducing the dose.
Alternative Medicine
- For many people, complementary or alternative therapies offer relief from headache pain. However, not all complementary or alternative therapies have been studied as headache treatments, and others need further research. Discuss the risks and benefits of complementary therapy with your doctor. Possible therapies include: 1. Acupuncture.This ancient...
Coping and Support
- You may find it helpful to talk to other people who've been through the same experience you're having. Ask your doctor if there are support groups in your area, or contact the National Headache Foundation at www.headaches.org or 888-643-5552.
Preparing For Your Appointment
- You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. You may then be referred to a doctor who specializes in nervous system disorders (neurologist). Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
Decide Which Approach Is Best
- Deciding which preventive approach to take also depends upon a number of factors. These include the headache history and characteristics, reactions to various medications in the past, psychiatric and medical comorbidities, associated GI comorbidities, weight, sleep, fatigue, family history of response to medication, and other factors including cost and access. The patient’s inp…
Education
- It is important to educate the patient regarding MOH. Even simple advice and information may be all that is necessary. The patient needs to understand that MOH is very real and that treating the condition will play an active role in improving their headache situation. Each patient requires a personalized approach. Withdrawal of the offending medications may be accomplished slowly, …
Additional Acute and Preventive Medication
- In addition to educating the patient and withdrawing from the offending medication, many patients will require additional acute and preventive medications. In the hospital, various IV regimens may be employed though most patients do not require IV treatment. These include IV dihydroergotamine, corticosteroids, antiemetics (such as metoclopramide), ...
Long-Term Outlook
- At least 50% of patients do well, particularly if they do not relapse into MOH once again. The following increase the risk of relapse: a high amount of acute medication, cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, opioid or butalbital overuse, insomnia, and moderate to severe anxiety and/or depression. Close follow-up with the patient improves the chance of long-term su…