Analgesic/abortive overuse and misuse in chronic daily headache
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 3, 2026

3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
1Department of Neurology, University Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, Essen 45122, Germany. h.diener@uni-essen.de
Abstract:
The frequent use (> 15 times/month) of medication for the treatment of acute migraine attacks may cause medication overuse headache. This kind of headache can be caused by the intake of combination analgesics, opioids, ergot alkaloids, and triptans. The delay between first intake and daily headache is shortest for triptans (1 to 2 years), longer for ergots (3 years), and longest for analgesics (5 years). Treatment includes drug withdrawal followed by structured acute therapy and initiation of migraine prophylactic treatment.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Analgesia and Pain Management
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids
Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

