Twelve cases of analgesic headache

Analgesic headache occurs when drugs given for the treatment of headache aggravate symptoms. The condition is well recognised in adults but has not been described before in children in whom it may be induced by mild analgesics such as paracetamol used alone. Twelve children (nine girls and three boys, aged 6 to 16.5 years) with analgesic headache (from three months to 10 years) are reported. Five children were taking paracetamol alone, six were taking paracetamol with codeine, and one child was taking ibuprofen. The abrupt withdrawal of analgesic drugs was successful in eight of the children; two had episodic migraine headaches; one had headaches but with reduced frequency; and one returned to analgesic abuse.