Analgesics & rebound headache

Executive Summary

Chronic use of OTC analgesics that can lead to "rebound headache" may be situation "where we need to improve the labeling and get better information out to consumers so that they can avoid the problem," FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan, MD/PhD, suggests during Jan. 15 appearance on National Public Radio's Diane Rehm Show. If consumers "are using the product very frequently for headaches, they probably should contact their health professional to see if there is another cause for the recurrent headaches, or if there is a better treatment available," he adds. McClellan's comments were prompted by article suggesting link between rebound headache and analgesic use in the Jan. 12 New York Times. Segment on the issue also aired on ABC TV's 20/20 program Jan. 10...