Medication overuse headache (MOH) — also known as rebound headache — occurs when pain relief medicines are taken too frequently, causing the brain to become over-sensitive to pain signals. What begins as an attempt to control occasional headaches can gradually lead to a pattern of daily or near-daily headache that worsens despite ongoing medication use.
Typical symptoms include:
Medications that can cause MOH include paracetamol, NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen), codeine-based painkillers, triptans, and combination headache remedies. The condition can affect anyone with recurrent headaches, particularly those with chronic migraine or tension-type headache. Specialist guidance is vital to break the cycle safely and prevent relapse.
At Wessex Pain Clinic, diagnosis begins with a detailed history of headache pattern and medication use. Our consultants assess how often painkillers are taken, which types are used, and how symptoms have evolved.
The diagnosis of medication overuse headache is clinical, based on recognised international criteria (ICHD-3).
We may recommend MRI or CT imaging to rule out other causes of persistent headache, especially if the pattern has recently changed.
A headache diary is often used to document frequency, triggers, and medication use — a valuable tool in guiding management and monitoring progress.
Our pain psychology and rehabilitation partners play a crucial role in helping patients manage the emotional and behavioural aspects of medication overuse. Techniques such as pacing, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) help improve coping strategies during recovery.
At Wessex Pain Clinic, we work as a team and meet regularly to discuss complex, treatment resistant or unusual cases. As such you will often receive the expertise of several pain consultants. We believe that we are one of very few pain clinics to offer this.
Our friendly team is on hand to support you every step of the way. Please get in touch at any time.
