Prednisone vs. placebo in withdrawal therapy following medication overuse headache.

Author(s): Pageler L, Katsarava Z, Diener HC, Limmroth V

Affiliation(s): Department of Neurology, Cologne City Hospitals, Cologne, Germany. pagelerl@kliniken-koeln.de

Publication date & source: 2008-02, Cephalalgia., 28(2):152-6. Epub 2007 Nov 26.

Publication type: Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

This proof-of-concept study evaluated the efficacy of prednisone for the treatment of withdrawal symptoms in patients with medication overuse headache (MOH) in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind design. Twenty patients were randomized and underwent in-patient withdrawal therapy. The total number of hours with severe or moderate headache within the first 72 and 120 h was significantly lower in the prednisone group. The results show that prednisone might be effective in the treatment of medication withdrawal headache.