Painkillers Worsening Headaches!? The Paradox of "The More You Take, The Worse It Gets" - The Truth About Medication Overuse Headache You Should Know

An article published by The Independent on November 10, 2025 (GMT), contributed by The Conversation, highlighted the potential for long-term and frequent use of painkillers to cause "medication overuse headache (MOH)." MOH affects 1-2% of the population and can involve many medications, including acetaminophen, NSAIDs, triptans, and opioids. The risk is associated with using simple analgesics for "more than 15 days a month" and triptans or opioids for "more than 10 days a month." The basic treatment involves a gradual withdrawal under medical supervision combined with preventive treatment. On social media, many expressed the dilemma of wanting to avoid overusing medication but struggling to manage daily life without it. The importance of keeping a headache diary and working closely with healthcare providers was emphasized.