When the occasional headache strikes, most of us head for the medicine cabinet and take an over-the-counter pain medication such as Tylenol, Motrin, or Advil. A rebound headache can be the outcome if these medications aren't taken as directed. The overuse or misuse of pain relievers -- exceeding labeling instructions, can cause you to "rebound" into another headache. When the pain medication wears off, you may experience a withdrawal reaction, prompting you to take more medication, which leads to another headache, and the cycle continues.
Some of the pain relievers responsible for causing rebound headache are...
Aspirin
Sinus relief medications
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory meds. (such as Aleve)
Sedatives for sleep
Codeine and prescription narcotics
Over-the-counter combination headache remedies containing caffeine(such as Excedrin or Bayer)
Butalbital combination pain relievers(Goody's headache powder or fioricet)
Usually, discontinuing the medication or gradually tapering the medication dose will lead to more easily controlled headaches. Some people may need to be "detoxified" under more carefully monitored medical conditions. Unfortunately, for many chronic daily headache sufferers, detoxification for the first several weeks leads to increasing headaches.Supervision and treatment by a headache specialist are therefore very important.
Anoop K. Reddy, M.D., P.A. 4446 E. Fletcher Ave Ste E Tampa, FL33613 ph: 813-558-8878