Rebound headache: Keys to effective therapy

Rebound headache presents as daily or almost daily, prolonged, nonthrobbing, dull, generalized pain. It is the likely diagnosis in a patient with constant tension-type headache if the history and physical and screening neurologic examinations fail to reveal another cause. Most patients with rebound headache have superimposed migraine-like attacks. Medications that can cause rebound headache include aspirin, acetaminophen, NSAIDs, narcotics, ergotamines, and triptans. Successful treatment involves complete discontinuation of the culprit agents. Most patients require 2 to 3 months to reach the goal of 6 consecutive headache-free days.