[Analgesic-induced chronic headache].
Analgesic-induced chronic headaches are the outcome of an overtreatment of migraine or tension type headaches. Progressively, the usual headache changes and becomes a chronic daily headache occurring in the morning when waking up, relieved 1 hour after intake of the concerned analgesic. If drug intake is delayed, the daily headache disappears after 4 weeks following a period of worsening. This withdrawal therapy is often conducted during a 2-week hospitalization. Drugs mainly implicated in this type of dependence are: caffeine, ergotamine, simple analgesics, and triptans which are becoming more and more involved. The best treatment is prevention. When first seen, patients must be warned of the risk of chronic use of analgesics.
Le Jeunne
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Service de Médecine Interne et de Thérapeutique, Hôpital Européen Georges-Pompidou, 20, rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris.
D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006261:Headache / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors
D000700:Analgesics