Peter Špalek
Medication overuse headache is considered to be the result of an interaction between an exposure (overuse of analgesics, triptans) and a biologically vulnerable individual (migraineur). In migraineurs, but not in individuals without migraine, medication overuse is a risk factor for chronic daily headaches. Therefore, medication overuse headache (transformed migraine) should be prevented. Potential strategies include limiting the use of acute medications to no more than 10 days per month and reducing headache frequency in migraineurs with preventive medication and non-pharmacological strategies, such as proper diet, weight loss, exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, and education. In Europe and the USA, 30 - 80 % of the patients seen in a headache clinic have medication overuse headache. In individuals with established medication overuse headache treatment requires detoxification, „bridge therapy“ during detoxication, pharmacological and non-pharmacological preventive strategies, and education.