Headache Attributed to a Substance or Its Withdrawal.

Mark Obermann, Zaza Katsarava

Journal: Neurologic clinics 2024;42(2):497-506

PMID: 38575262

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Identification of substances that may cause or trigger headache is important to start effective treatment early to prevent unnecessary suffering, deterioration in quality of life, and the development of chronic pain. Treatment in case of medication overuse and other chronic headache should be decisive and effective. Drug withdrawal and introduction of effective prophylactic medication for the underlying headache disorder should be the primary treatment strategy. Typical headache-inducing substances are nitric oxide, phosphodiesterase, cocaine, alcohol, histamine, carbon oxide, and calcitonin gene-related peptide. The withdrawal of caffeine, estrogen, and opioids is most often associated with the development of headache.

Address: Department of Neurology, Hospital Weser-Egge, Brenkhaeuser Str. 71, Hoexter 37671, Germany; Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, Essen 45147, Germany. Electronic address: [email protected].; Department of Neurology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, Essen 45147, Germany; Evangelical Hospital Unna, Holbeinstr. 10, Unna 59423, Germany; EVEX Medical Corporation, 3 Vekua Street, Tiblisi, Republic of Georgia.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ncl.2023.12.005

Link outs

Subscription / membership required

Full Text Sources:

MeSH Terms: Humans, Quality of Life, Headache, Treatment Outcome, Cocaine, Analgesics