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Review
. 2023 Jul;23(7):389-398.
doi: 10.1007/s11910-023-01278-y. Epub 2023 Jun 5.

Medication Overuse Headache: an Updated Review and Clinical Recommendations on Management

Megan A Hird  1 , Claire H Sandoe  2   3
Affiliations
Review

Medication Overuse Headache: an Updated Review and Clinical Recommendations on Management

Megan A Hird et al. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2023 Jul.

Abstract

Overview: Medication overuse headache (MOH) is highly prevalent among individuals with primary headache disorders.

Purpose of review: (1) Provide an update on epidemiology, risk factors, and treatment strategies of MOH and (2) provide recommendations on the management of MOH.

Recent findings: The prevalence of MOH ranges from 0.5 to 7.2%. Risk factors for MOH include female sex, lower socioeconomic status, some psychiatric conditions, and substance use disorders, among others. Recent large clinical trials support preventative therapy as an integral component of MOH management. Emerging clinical trial evidence supports anti-CGRP mAbs as effective preventative treatments among individuals with migraine and MOH. Among the large clinical trials, candesartan, topiramate, amitriptyline, and onabotulinumtoxinA were the most used preventative therapies, providing further support for these agents. MOH management requires a multifaceted and patient-centered approach that involves patient education, behavioral interventions, withdrawal of the overused medication, and initiation of preventative medication.

Keywords: Headache; Medication overuse; Preventative; Withdrawal.

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