Medication overuse headache

Medication overuse headache
Specialty	Neurology

Medication overuse headaches (MOH) , also known as rebound headaches usually occur when analgesics are taken frequently to relieve headaches. Rebound headaches frequently occur daily and can be very painful and are a common cause of chronic daily headache. They typically occur in patients with an underlying headache disorder such as migraines or tension headaches that "transforms" over time from an episodic condition to chronic daily headache due excessive intake of acute headache medications. MOH is a serious, disabling and well-characterized disorder, which represents a worldwide problem and is now considered the third most prevalent type of headache. Population-based studies report the prevalence rate of MOH to be 1 to 2% in the general population, but its relative frequency is much higher in secondary and tertiary care.

Classification

Medication overuse headache is a recognized ICDH classification. Over the years different sets of diagnostic criteria have been proposed and revised by the major experts of headache disorders. The term MOH first appeared only in the 2004, among the secondary headaches in the 2nd edition of the International Headache Society’s Classification (International Classification of Headache Disorders – II edition, ICHD-II) with the aim of emphasising excessive drug intake as the basis of this form of headache. The two subsequent revisions of the diagnostic criteria for MOH (2005 and 2006) refined and extended the definition of this condition on the basis of both its chronicity (headache on more than 15 days/month for more than three months) and the different types of drugs overused thereby identifying the main types of MOH. In the case of ergotamine, triptans, opioids and combination medications in particular, intake on > 10 days/month for > 3 months is required, whereas simple analgesics are considered overused when they are taken on > 15 days/month for >3 months.

Causes

These types of headaches are known to occur with frequent use of many different medications, including most commonly: triptans, ergotamines, analgesics, opioids. The underlying mechanisms that lead to the development of MOH are still widely unknown and the clarification of their role is hampered by the lack of experimental research or suitable animal models. Various pathophysiological abnormalities have been reported and they seem to have an important role in initiating and maintaining chronic headache (genetic disposition, receptor and enzyme physiology and regulation, psychological and behavioural factors, physical dependencies, recent functional imaging results).

Treatment

MOH is common and can be treated. The overused medications must be stopped in order for the patient's headaches to resolve. Clinical data shows that the treatment of election is the abrupt drugs withdrawal, followed by starting a prophylactic therapy. However, the discontinuation of the overused drugs usually leads to worsening of headache and appearance of drug withdrawal symptoms (that greatly depend on the previously overused drugs and typically last from two to ten days and that are relieved by the further intake of the overused medication), which might reinforce the continuation of overuse. Where a physical dependence or a rebound effect such as rebound headache is possible gradual reduction of medication may be necessary. It is important that the patient's physician be consulted before abruptly discontinuing medications as abruptly discontinuing some medications has the potential for creating another issue. Abruptly discontinuing butalbital, for example, can actually induce seizures in some patients, although simple over the counter analgesics can safely be stopped by the patient without medical supervision. A long acting analgesic/anti-inflammatory, such as naproxen (500 mg twice a day) can be used to ease headache during the withdrawal period. Two months after completion of withdrawal patients suffering from medication overuse headache typically notice a marked reduction in migraine and other headache frequency and intensity.

Drug withdrawal is performed very differently within and across countries. Most physicians prefer inpatients programmes, however effective drug withdrawal may also be achieved in an outpatient setting in uncomplicated MOH patients (i.e. subjects without important co-morbidities, not overusing opioids or ergotaminics and who are at their first detoxification attempt). In the absence of evidence-based indications, in MOH patients the choice of preventive agent should be based on the primary headache type (migraine or TTH), on the drug side-effect profile, on the presence of co-morbid and co-existent conditions, on patient’s preferences, and on previous therapeutic experiences.

It is noteworthy that, following an initial improvement of headache with the return to an episodic pattern, a relevant proportion (up to 45%) of patients relapse, reverting to the overuse of symptomatic drugs.

Predictors of the relapse, and that could influence treatment strategies, are considered the type of primary headache, from which MOH has evolved, and the type of drug abused (analgesics, and mostly combination of analgesics, but also drugs containing barbiturates or tranquillisers cause significantly higher relapse rates), while gender, age, duration of disease and previous intake of preventative treatment do not seem to predict relapse rate.

MOH is clearly a cause of disability and, if not adequately treated, it represents a condition of risk of possible co-morbidities associated to the excessive intake of drugs that are not devoid of side-effect. MOH can be treated through withdrawal of the overused drug(s) and by means of specific approaches that focus on the development of a close doctor-patient relationship in the post-withdrawal period.

Prevention

In general, any patient who has frequent headaches or migraine attacks should be considered as a potential candidate for preventive medications instead of being encouraged to take more and more painkillers or other rebound-causing medications. Preventive medications are taken on a daily basis. Some patients may require preventive medications for many years; others may require them for only a relatively short period of time such as six months. Effective preventive medications have been found to come from many classes of medications including neuronal stabilizing agents (aka anticonvulsants), antidepressants, antihypertensives, and antihistamines. Some effective preventive medications include Elavil (amitriptyline), Depakote (valproate), Topamax (topiramate), and Inderal (propranolol).

History

Rebound headache was first described by Dr. Lee Kudrow.

See also

• Cluster headache
• Rebound effect

References

More bibliography

• Diener HC, Limmroth V (2004). "Medication-overuse headache: a worldwide problem". Lancet Neurol. 3 (8): 475–83. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(04)00824-5. PMID 15261608. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
• Katsarava Z, Limmroth V, Finke M, Diener HC, Fritsche G (2003). "Rates and predictors for relapse in medication overuse headache: a 1-year prospective study". Neurology. 60 (10): 1682–3. PMID 12771266. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• International Headache Society (2004). "The International Classification of Headache Disorders: 2nd edition". Cephalalgia. 24 (Suppl 1): 9–160. PMID 14979299.
• Olesen J, Bousser MG, Diener HC; et al. (2006). "New appendix criteria open for a broader concept of chronic migraine". Cephalalgia. 26 (6): 742–6. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2982.2006.01172.x. PMID 16686915. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• Ghiotto N, Sances G, Galli F; et al. (2009). "Medication overuse headache and applicability of the ICHD-II diagnostic criteria: 1-year follow-up study (CARE I protocol)". Cephalalgia. 29 (2): 233–43. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2982.2008.01712.x. PMID 19025549. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• Silberstein SD, Olesen J, Bousser MG; et al. (2005). "The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd Edition (ICHD-II)--revision of criteria for 8.2 Medication-overuse headache". Cephalalgia. 25 (6): 460–5. doi:10.1111/j.1468-2982.2005.00878.x. PMID 15910572. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)

Useful and interesting links

International Headache Society

European Headache Federation

The Journal of Headache and Pain

COMOESTAS Project