Risk Factors for and Management of Medication-Overuse Headache

This review focuses on patients with migraine who frequently use acute medications.

Chronic migraine and medication-overuse headache are common in the general population and often coexist. According to new diagnostic criteria, both diagnoses can be made for an individual patient. Evidence is slowly emerging on the most appropriate management approach for both disorders.

Although the relationship of the primary headache disorder and the pattern of overuse varies, medication-overuse headache is a secondary disorder attributable to the overuse of acute medications. While distinguishing chronic migraine and medication-overuse headache may not always be possible, treatment approaches are similar for the two disorders.