Related Experiment Videos
Should butalbital-containing analgesics be banned? Yes
William B Young1, Hua Chiang Siow
1Jefferson Headache Center, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, 111 South 11th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. William.B.Young@mail.tju.edu
Abstract:
In the United States analgesic-overuse headache is often caused by butalbital-containing analgesics. These agents can cause physical and psychological dependency, and dangerous withdrawal syndromes. Butalbital-containing analgesics have already been banned in several European countries. They are proven effective in tension-type headache, but not in migraine; there are many alternative treatments for migraine and tension-type headache. In the 20 years since analgesic overuse headache was widely recognized, butalbital overuse has remained distressingly common. It is time to ban these agents.