What is an Analgesic Rebound Headache
headache that comes after pain medicine (analgesic) taken to treat the original (primary) headache has worn off. Any type of primary headache can return as a rebound headache if a person regularly takes analgesics more than three times a week to treat it.
The types of primary headaches that are commonly associated with rebound headaches include:
- Migraines.
- Headaches that arise from tense muscles in the head and neck area (tension headaches).
- Headaches that develop and happen again (recur) on one side of the head and around the eye (cluster headaches).
If rebound headaches continue, they become chronic daily headaches.
What are the causes?
This condition may be caused by frequent use of:
- Over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen.
- Sinus relief medicines and other medicines that contain caffeine.
- Narcotic pain medicines such as codeine and oxycodone.
What are the signs or symptoms?
The symptoms of a rebound headache are the same as the symptoms of the original headache. Some of the symptoms of specific types of headaches include:
Migraine headache
- Pulsing or throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head.
- Severe pain that interferes with daily activities.
- Pain that is worsened by physical activity.
- Nausea, vomiting, or both.
- Pain with exposure to bright light, loud noises, or strong smells.
- General sensitivity to bright light, loud noises, or strong smells.
- Visual changes.
- Numbness of one or both arms.
Tension headache
- Pressure around the head.
- Dull, aching head pain.
- Pain felt over the front and sides of the head.
- Tenderness in the muscles of the head, neck, and shoulders.
Cluster headache
- Severe pain that begins in or around one eye or temple.
- Redness and tearing in the eye on the same side as the pain.
- Droopy or swollen eyelid.
- One-sided head pain.
- Nausea.
- Runny nose.
- Sweaty, pale facial skin.
- Restlessness.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed by:
- Reviewing your medical history. This includes the nature of your primary headaches.
- Reviewing the types of pain medicines that you have been using to treat your headaches and how often you take them.
How is this treated?
This condition may be treated or managed by:
- Discontinuing frequent use of the analgesic medicine. Doing this may worsen your headaches at first, but the pain should eventually become more manageable, less frequent, and less severe.
- Seeing a headache specialist. He or she may be able to help you manage your headaches and help make sure there is not another cause of the headaches.
- Using methods of stress relief, such as acupuncture, counseling, biofeedback, and massage. Talk with your health care provider about which methods might be good for you.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- Stop the repeated use of pain medicine as told by your health care provider. Stopping can be difficult. Carefully follow instructions from your health care provider.
- Avoid triggers that are known to cause your primary headaches.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You continue to experience headaches after following treatments that your health care provider recommended.
Get help right away if:
- You develop new headache pain.
- You develop headache pain that is different than what you have experienced in the past.
- You develop numbness or tingling in your arms or legs.
- You develop changes in your speech or vision.
