We all have an occasional headache that we treat with over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicine like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Most of the time, these medications work for headaches that happen now and then. But constant headaches are another matter entirely.
Many chronic headache sufferers take OTC pain medication frequently, exceeding the dosage instructions—without realizing they’re making their situation worse. That’s because overuse or misuse of pain medication can cause what is called a rebound headache: Once the pain reliever wears off, withdrawal kicks in—prompting yet more doses over a long period of time. This can become a vicious cycle of constant headaches that keep getting worse and more frequent.
It’s also important to note that some OTC pain relievers contain caffeine. Combining such medicine with coffee, tea or soda can increase susceptibility to rebound headaches. Furthermore, some prescriptions (particularly, barbiturates, opiates, triptans and ergots) increase the risk of rebound headaches.
Put an End to Everyday Headaches
The good news is, it’s possible to prevent rebound headaches. Seek the guidance of a headache neurologist about either stopping the pain medication completely or gradually reducing the dosage. Physicians recommend that patients use pain relievers on a limited basis, not more than one or two times a week. Once the cycle of rebound headaches ends, a headache neurologist can find a safer treatment plan.
This post was written by Noah Rosen, MD, director of the Headache Center at the Cushing Neuroscience Institute.
For more North Shore-LIJ Health Blog posts, go to http://blog.northshorelij.com/
Contents of the health blog are the property of North Shore-LIJ Health System and are provided as a health resource for consumers, health care professionals and members of the media. The medical content on the North Shore-LIJ Health Blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for consultation with your physician regarding diagnosis, treatment or any other form of specific medical advice. These materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "North Shore-LIJ Health System," "North Shore-LIJ," "northshorelij.com," "VivoHealth," their related entities and logos are trademarks of the North Shore-LIJ Health System. Copyright © 2011 North Shore-LIJ Health System. All rights reserved.
