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Review
. 2016 Aug;7(4):147-58.
doi: 10.1177/2042098616653390. Epub 2016 Jun 30.

Medication-overuse headache: a perspective review

Maria Lurenda Westergaard  1 , Signe Bruun Munksgaard  2 , Lars Bendtsen  2 , Rigmor Højland Jensen  2
Affiliations
Review

Medication-overuse headache: a perspective review

Maria Lurenda Westergaard et al. Ther Adv Drug Saf. 2016 Aug.

Abstract

Medication-overuse headache (MOH) is a debilitating condition in which frequent and prolonged use of medication for the acute treatment of pain results in the worsening of the headache. The purpose of this paper is to review the most recent literature on MOH and discuss future avenues for research. MOH accounts for a substantial share of the global burden of disease. Prevalence is often reported as 1-2% but can be as high as 7% overall, with higher proportions among women and in those with a low socioeconomic position. Management consists of withdrawing pain medication, focusing on prophylactic and nonmedical treatments, and limiting acute symptomatic medication. Stress reduction and lifestyle interventions may support the change towards rational pain medication use. Support, follow up, and education are needed to help patients through the detoxification period. There is fertile ground for research in MOH epidemiology, pathophysiology, and neuroimaging. Randomized and long-term follow-up studies on MOH treatment protocols are needed. Further focused research could be of major importance for global health.

Keywords: chronic headache; epidemiology; medication-overuse headache; treatment.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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