Download PDF opens a new window
Medication overuse is defined as a headache which is present for 15 days or more per month and which has developed or worsened while taking regular symptomatic medication.
Medication overuse headache can develop with any type of primary headache but most commonly develops with migraine. It is unusual in the Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalgias (see table) unless the patient also has a migraine phenotype, see Migraine/Chronic Headache – RefHelp opens a new window
Criteria for diagnosis: Medication overuse headache should be considered with use on 10 days or more per month for triptans, ergots, opioids, or combination analgesics and on 15 days or more per month for simple analgesics.
M.A & J.S. 07-05-25
