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Medication-overuse headache

Also called: Rebound headache

Headaches on most days caused by taking pain relievers for headaches too often. It's sometimes called rebound headache. It often starts as a headache when waking up. Cutting back on the medicine, with a doctor's help, usually makes it better.

TypeRebound headache from frequent pain relievers
Headache days15 or more days a month
Too muchPain relievers 15+ days a month, triptans 10+ days
Builds overAbout 3 months of overuse
TreatmentStop or cut back the medicine, with a plan
ContagiousNo

Overview

Medication-overuse headache happens in people who already get headaches, like migraine or tension headaches, and take headache medicines on many days. Over time, the medicine itself keeps the headaches going.

Any medicine taken to stop headache pain can cause it, including ones you buy at the store. The number of days you take medicine matters more than the dose.

Symptoms

Headaches happen on most days.

  • Headache on 15 or more days a month
  • Taking pain relievers most days
  • Headache when waking up
  • Headaches that return as the medicine wears off

Less common

  • Headaches that used to come now and then becoming more frequent
  • Headaches without a clear pattern

How it usually goes

  • About 3 months: Frequent medicine use turns into near-daily headaches.
  • After stopping: Headaches may get worse for days to weeks.
  • Weeks to months: Headaches usually become less frequent.

Look up a symptom: Headache · Headache when waking up · Taking pain relievers most days

When to get medical care

Call 911The worst or most sudden headache of your life, or a headache with confusion, weakness, trouble speaking, fever with a stiff neck, or after a head injury.
Get care todayA new or very different headache, or a headache with vision loss.
See a doctor soonTaking headache medicine more than 2 or 3 days a week, or headaches on most days.

Causes

Taking acute headache medicines on too many days a month for months. It mostly happens in people who already have migraine or tension-type headaches.

Does it spread or run in families?

  • It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.

Who is more likely to get it

  • Migraine or tension headaches
  • Using pain relievers more than 2 days a week
  • Using opioids or combination pills with codeine or caffeine

Diagnosis

A healthcare professional diagnoses it from your headache pattern and how often you take headache medicine.

Questions you may be asked

  • How many days a month you have headaches
  • How many days a month you take headache medicine, and which ones
  • How long this has been going on
  • Your original type of headache

The exam

They'll do a check of your nerves and may look for other causes of daily headaches.

Treatment

The main treatment is stopping or cutting back the overused medicine. Talk with a healthcare professional first.

Self-care

  • Keep a headache and medicine diary, marking each day you take a pain reliever
  • Expect headaches to get worse before better, sometimes for days to weeks after stopping
  • Get regular sleep, meals, and water
  • After recovery, limit headache medicine to no more than 2 days a week

Medicines

These are the kinds of medicines that can cause it when used too often.

MedicineHelps withGood to know
Simple pain relievers
Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen		Headache pain, if used on few daysOveruse is 15 or more days a month.
Triptans, combination pills, and opioids
Migraine or severe painOveruse is 10 or more days a month. Opioids and combination pills carry the highest risk.
Preventive medicines
Fewer headache daysThese don't cause rebound headaches.
Opioids and combination pills need a doctor's plan to stop safely.

Some medicines, like opioids or combination pills, need a slower plan. Your doctor may start a daily preventive treatment to lower the number of headaches.

How it compares

Medication-overuse headacheTension headacheMigraineMorning headaches from poor sleep
How oftenMost daysNow and then or oftenAttacksMost mornings
Key cluePain relievers on many daysTight band, stressThrobbing, light sensitiveSnoring or poor sleep

Prevention

You can lower your risk:

  • Limit headache medicine to no more than 2 days a week
  • Keep a headache diary
  • Ask about preventive treatment if headaches are frequent
  • Avoid opioids and combination pills for headaches

Which doctor treats this

  • Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
  • They may send you to a neurologist (brain and nerve doctor).

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

  • Children and teens: It can happen in kids too. The 2-days-a-week rule applies.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
  • Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
  • Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
  • Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Most people get better after stopping the overused medicine, though headaches may get worse first. Some people slip back, so keeping track of medicine days helps.

Getting ready for your visit

A diary of headache days and medicine days is the most useful thing to bring.

What to bring

  • A month of headache days and medicine days
  • Every medicine you take, including store-bought
  • How long this has been going on

Questions to ask

  • Are my medicines causing my headaches?
  • How should I stop or cut back?
  • Should I start a preventive medicine?
  • How many days a month is safe for me?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Medication-overuse headache

Sources

Last updated 2026-11-12.