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Strategies for diagnosing and managing medication-induced headache.
Can Fam Physician. 1997 Jul; 43:1249-54.CF

Abstract

PROBLEM ADDRESSED

Headache is a common clinical disorder. Nearly 50% of patients with headaches use prescription medications, and 90% regularly use nonprescription drugs. Medication-induced headaches (MIH) are chronic daily headaches caused by overuse of medicine.

OBJECTIVES

To summarize the diagnostic criteria for MIH, to determine the investigations necessary to confirm the diagnosis and exclude other possible diagnoses, and to establish recommendations for managing MIH.

MAIN FINDINGS

Diagnosis of MIH is based on patient's history and the clinical characteristics of the headache. Treatment includes patient education and support, withdrawal of offending medications, relief of withdrawal symptoms, and specific treatment of residual headache. When migraine and other causes of headache are adequately addressed, patients will not seek additional pain relief.

CONCLUSION

Medication-induced headache is preventable. The key to prevention is appropriate drug therapy to relieve the primary headache. All patients with MIH can be treated and most cured.

Links

PMC Free PDF

Authors+Show Affiliations

Edmeads JG
University of Toronto.
Gawel MJ
No affiliation info available
Vickers J
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AnalgesicsHeadacheHumansMigraine DisordersNonprescription DrugsPatient Education as TopicPatient Selection

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

9241463

Citation

Edmeads, J G., et al. "Strategies for Diagnosing and Managing Medication-induced Headache." Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien, vol. 43, 1997, pp. 1249-54.
Edmeads JG, Gawel MJ, Vickers J. Strategies for diagnosing and managing medication-induced headache. Can Fam Physician. 1997;43:1249-54.
Edmeads, J. G., Gawel, M. J., & Vickers, J. (1997). Strategies for diagnosing and managing medication-induced headache. Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien, 43, 1249-54.
Edmeads JG, Gawel MJ, Vickers J. Strategies for Diagnosing and Managing Medication-induced Headache. Can Fam Physician. 1997;43:1249-54. PubMed PMID: 9241463.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Strategies for diagnosing and managing medication-induced headache. AU - Edmeads,J G, AU - Gawel,M J, AU - Vickers,J, PY - 1997/7/1/pubmed PY - 1997/7/1/medline PY - 1997/7/1/entrez SP - 1249 EP - 54 JF - Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien JO - Can Fam Physician VL - 43 N2 - PROBLEM ADDRESSED: Headache is a common clinical disorder. Nearly 50% of patients with headaches use prescription medications, and 90% regularly use nonprescription drugs. Medication-induced headaches (MIH) are chronic daily headaches caused by overuse of medicine. OBJECTIVES: To summarize the diagnostic criteria for MIH, to determine the investigations necessary to confirm the diagnosis and exclude other possible diagnoses, and to establish recommendations for managing MIH. MAIN FINDINGS: Diagnosis of MIH is based on patient's history and the clinical characteristics of the headache. Treatment includes patient education and support, withdrawal of offending medications, relief of withdrawal symptoms, and specific treatment of residual headache. When migraine and other causes of headache are adequately addressed, patients will not seek additional pain relief. CONCLUSION: Medication-induced headache is preventable. The key to prevention is appropriate drug therapy to relieve the primary headache. All patients with MIH can be treated and most cured. SN - 0008-350X UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/9241463/Strategies_for_diagnosing_and_managing_medication_induced_headache_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -