You can treat medication-overuse headaches (MOH) by stopping the use of certain headache medications and taking others instead. Regular use of analgesics or triptans, among other medications, puts you more at risk.

People who experience migraine episodes often rely on several types of treatment for relief. Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications are among the most popular treatments.

However, people who take headache medication too frequently may actually make their headaches worse and more common. Frequent use of medication can cause medication-overuse headaches (MOH), also known as rebound headaches. Eventually, these people may develop chronic migraine episodes.

While the exact cause of MOHTrusted Source is not yet fully understood, researchers have identified the general pattern that leads to symptoms. Individuals with established primary headache disorders take medication to relieve the symptoms. As headaches return, they take more medication.

Over time, the medication stops being helpful and starts to cause more frequent and more intense headaches.

For some unknown reason, your body then turns on the medication. The more medication you take, the more headaches you get. The more headaches you get, the more medication you take.

Before long, you can develop chronic migraine headaches because of your medication use.

A variety of pain-relieving medicationsTrusted Source are available to treat migraine:

  • Pain relievers (or simple analgesics): This category includes Aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen, and analgesics like acetaminophen (Tylenol). These drugs are available OTC.
  • Ergots: Some ergots combine caffeine with the pain reliever ergotamine. Other formulations aren’t combined with caffeine, such as Ergotamine sublingual tablets (Ergomar). Ergots require a prescription.
  • Triptans: This class of medication constricts blood vessels and reduces headache pain. Triptans require a prescription.
  • Combination analgesics: These medicines typically include some combination of acetaminophen, aspirin, and
    caffeine. Combination analgesics require a prescription.
  • Opioid medications: Opioid medicines or narcotics, such as codeine, can be habit-forming. Doctors often prescribe them as a last-resort treatment.
  • Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists: CGRP receptor antagonists, also called “gepants,” are among the latest approved migraine medications. These prevent interaction between CGRP, which is shown to have elevated levels during a migraine episode, and its receptor.

All of these medications can cause MOH if taken too frequently. If you’re taking any of these medicines more than two days per week, ask your doctor for help finding a different option.

Your doctor will consider your physical symptoms and the medications you use. They will try to rule out any other conditions that might cause your symptoms and will likely check for an infection or a neurological disorder first.

You must meet certain criteria to be diagnosed with MOH. The criteriaTrusted Source for diagnosis include:

  • headaches on 15 or more days per month
  • pre-existing headache disorder (must be observed with the previous point)
  • overuse of headache medications for over three months

Be honest with your doctor about your medication use. If you underestimate how much medication you take, you can delay a diagnosis. This can make your condition worse and possibly harder to treat.

Diagnosing MOH is difficult. Many healthcare professionals and doctors are unfamiliar with this condition. That means that they are often unable to recognize it in patients with frequent headaches and migraine episodes.

The best way to treat chronic migraine caused by MOH is to stop taking the medication. Reduce your use of these medicines, and you may be able to slow the progression of frequent headaches and prevent chronic migraine.

This can be a difficult treatment. You will have to find bridging medications that were not overused to help you through this withdrawal period.

Studies have found that, depending on what medication you were taking — analgesics, triptans, etc. — your withdrawal period will last for different lengths.

Your doctor may also request that you enter a hospital while you work your way through the detoxification if you frequently use opioid medication.

They may also suggest a tapered withdrawal. Breaking an addiction to these medicines may cause additional problems that require medical supervision.

Some doctors prefer to ease a patient’s transition from medication overuse by prescribing additional medications. These medicines are often designed to prevent migraine headaches and the need for pain-relieving medication. If you can prevent headaches, you might be able to decrease your dependency on the medication.

Once your treatment is complete, you may be able to use pain-relief medication again. This will depend on how severe your migraine episodes are and how often they occur. Talk with your doctor about these medications and how you can use them safely.

If you’re experiencing more headaches than usual, speak with your doctor about your headache medication use. People who take pain-relieving medication regularly are at risk for developing MOH, according to research.

To prepare for your appointment, start a headache journal. Record:

  • when you experience a headache
  • what medications you take
  • how much medication you take
  • if a headache returns

Record if you take more medication when a headache returns. Your doctor can use this information to identify possible triggers for your headaches.

What do rebound headaches feel like?

Rebound headaches can cause intense pounding or tension in your head. But it’s important to note that rebound headaches may not be intenseTrusted Source. What makes it a rebound headache is its frequency.

Along with a headache, you might experience other symptoms like:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • light or sound sensitivity
  • insomnia
  • restlessness
  • depression

Why am I getting headaches every day?

You must have headaches more than 15 days per month for over three months while taking pain-relieving drugs to be considered for MOH.

Other conditions associated with chronic headaches includeTrusted Source:

  • being overweight
  • obstructive sleep apnea
  • depression
  • chronic pain disorders
  • cardiovascular disease

Medication-overuse headaches (MOH) may lead to chronic migraine. People who regularly take analgesics, ergots, triptans, or opioid medications are more at risk for MOH.

Your doctor may recommend treatment for you based on the medication you take. Options may include stopping taking the medication or finding other medications that were not overused instead.

Starting a headache journal can help you and your doctor determine the cause of your headaches.