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Medication Overuse Headaches: What You Need to Know

Medication Overuse
Rebound Headaches
Treatment Strategies

September 29th, 2025

While medications can relieve headache symptoms, overusing them may lead to medication overuse headaches (MOH), also known as rebound headaches. Veterans relying heavily on pain relievers should be aware of this risk.

Understanding Medication Overuse Headaches

MOH occur when pain relief medications are taken too frequently, causing a cycle of chronic headaches.

Medications Commonly Involved

  • Analgesics: Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin
  • Combination Pain Relievers: Those containing caffeine, codeine, or barbiturates
  • Triptans: Medications specifically for migraines

Symptoms of MOH

Indicators include:

  • Daily or near-daily headaches
  • Worsening headache symptoms despite medication
  • Headache upon waking

Prevention Strategies

To avoid MOH:

  • Limit use of acute headache medications to no more than two days per week
  • Follow prescribed dosages
  • Consult a healthcare provider for preventive treatments

Treatment of MOH

Approaches include:

  • Medication Withdrawal: Gradually reducing or stopping overused medications
  • Preventive Medications: Drugs to reduce headache frequency
  • Behavioral Therapies: Stress management and cognitive-behavioral therapy

Conclusion

Avoiding medication overuse is essential for effective headache management. Veterans should work closely with their healthcare providers to develop a safe treatment plan.