Rebound headaches

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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Anyone who has a history of migraine headaches, tension-type headaches or other chronic headaches is at risk of developing rebound headaches from the overuse of pain relievers. Your risk increases if you use combination analgesics, ergotamine, or triptans 10 or more days a month or simple analgesics more than 15 days a month — especially if this regular use continues for three or more months.

Rebound headaches aren't typically an issue for people who use pain medications on a daily basis to treat conditions such as arthritis.

DS00613

Dec. 8, 2007

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