What analgesics are responsible for causing chronic daily headaches?
Many commonly used immediate-relief medications, when taken in large enough amounts, have been found responsible for inducing chronic daily headaches. More and more studies are being done on this presently, and many people will be surprised to learn that medications they have been programmed to think of as “safe” are the likeliest culprits. Among these medications are aspirin, sinus relief medications, acetaminophen, sedatives for sleep, codeine and related narcotic preparations, and over-the-counter combination headache remedies. While small amounts of these medications per week may be safe (and effective for intermittent or periodic headaches), at some point, the continued medication use leads to the development of low grade headaches that just will not go away. Taking larger or more frequent doses of the offending immediate-relief medication is not recommended. This not only exposes the patient to a higher level of the medication’s toxicity (harmful ingredients), but perpetuates the
