Migraine Medication Overuse Checker
Count acute headache medicine days, compare common medication-overuse warning thresholds, and prepare a calm summary for your clinician.
Check medication-use days this month
Count calendar days when you used acute headache medicine. If you took two medicines on the same day, count that as one total medication-use day.
Main medication category
Choose the category that best matches the medicine you use most often.
Common medication-use thresholds
| Medication category | Examples | Common threshold | Important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple pain relievers | acetaminophen/paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, other NSAIDs | 15+ days/month | ICHD-3 uses a 15+ days/month threshold for simple analgesics and NSAIDs when the pattern lasts more than 3 months. |
| Triptans | sumatriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan, eletriptan, other triptans | 10+ days/month | ICHD-3 uses a 10+ days/month threshold for triptans when the pattern lasts more than 3 months. |
| Ergots | ergotamine, dihydroergotamine | 10+ days/month | ICHD-3 uses a 10+ days/month threshold for ergot medicines when the pattern lasts more than 3 months. |
| Combination medicines | acetaminophen/aspirin/caffeine combinations, butalbital combinations, mixed analgesics | 10+ days/month | ICHD-3 uses a 10+ days/month threshold for combination analgesics when the pattern lasts more than 3 months. |
| Opioids | codeine combinations, tramadol, oxycodone, hydrocodone products, other opioid pain medicines | 10+ days/month | ICHD-3 uses a 10+ days/month threshold for opioids when the pattern lasts more than 3 months. |
| Gepants / ditans | ubrogepant, rimegepant, zavegepant, lasmiditan | Track separately | Classic ICHD-3 medication-overuse thresholds were not written around newer acute medicines. Track days and follow your clinician instructions. |
Recent saved checks
Loading...No saved medication-use checks yet.
Urgent headache safety note
Seek urgent medical attention for sudden severe headache, weakness, confusion, fever with stiff neck, head injury, vision or speech changes, or a very different headache pattern.
What is a migraine medication overuse checker?
This checker helps you count how many days in a month you used acute headache or migraine medicine. It compares your answers with common medication-overuse warning thresholds so you can decide whether the pattern is worth discussing with a clinician.
It is not a diagnosis tool. Medication-overuse headache depends on headache frequency, medication type, duration of the pattern, your underlying headache disorder, and clinical judgment.
What is medication-overuse headache?
ICHD-3 describes medication-overuse headache as headache on 15 or more days per month in someone with a pre-existing headache disorder, together with regular overuse of acute or symptomatic headache medicine for more than 3 months. The exact medication-use threshold depends on the medication class.
Why medication days matter more than pill count
Medication-overuse thresholds are usually counted by calendar days per month. If you take ibuprofen twice on Monday, that is one medication-use day. If you take a triptan and an NSAID on the same Monday, it is still one total acute-medication day, although each category may also be important to record.
Common medication-use thresholds
| Medication class | Examples | Common threshold | How to use this |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple pain relievers | acetaminophen/paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, other NSAIDs | 15+ days/month | ICHD-3 uses a 15+ days/month threshold for simple analgesics and NSAIDs when the pattern lasts more than 3 months. |
| Triptans | sumatriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan, eletriptan, other triptans | 10+ days/month | ICHD-3 uses a 10+ days/month threshold for triptans when the pattern lasts more than 3 months. |
| Ergots | ergotamine, dihydroergotamine | 10+ days/month | ICHD-3 uses a 10+ days/month threshold for ergot medicines when the pattern lasts more than 3 months. |
| Combination medicines | acetaminophen/aspirin/caffeine combinations, butalbital combinations, mixed analgesics | 10+ days/month | ICHD-3 uses a 10+ days/month threshold for combination analgesics when the pattern lasts more than 3 months. |
| Opioids | codeine combinations, tramadol, oxycodone, hydrocodone products, other opioid pain medicines | 10+ days/month | ICHD-3 uses a 10+ days/month threshold for opioids when the pattern lasts more than 3 months. |
| Gepants / ditans | ubrogepant, rimegepant, zavegepant, lasmiditan | Track separately | Classic ICHD-3 medication-overuse thresholds were not written around newer acute medicines. Track days and follow your clinician instructions. |
Why OTC medicines count too
Many people remember prescription migraine medicine but forget acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, caffeine combinations, or sinus/pain products that also contain pain relievers. Bring both OTC and prescription use to your clinician when reviewing headache patterns.
Why this checker does not diagnose MOH
A medication-overuse headache diagnosis requires clinical context and a healthcare professional. This checker only helps organize your medication-day count and highlight patterns that may deserve a conversation.
When to discuss medication use with a doctor
Discuss frequent headache-medicine use if you are approaching 10-15 medication days per month, headaches are becoming more frequent, medicine wears off and headaches return, or you use opioids, butalbital, or combination pain relievers. Do not stop prescribed medication without clinician guidance.
How this connects with a migraine diary
A diary can make this checker more accurate because it captures headache days, medication days, response after treatment, recurrence, and possible patterns over time. If you are not sure about your medication-day count, start with the tracker and review your next month of data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this checker diagnose medication-overuse headache?
No. This checker is informational only. Medication-overuse headache is diagnosed by a healthcare professional using headache history, medication-use pattern, and clinical context.
Why does the tool count medication days instead of pills?
Medication-overuse thresholds are usually discussed as days per month. If you take more than one dose or more than one medicine on the same calendar day, that is still one total medication-use day.
Do over-the-counter headache medicines count?
Yes. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and caffeine-containing combinations can matter when used frequently for headache.
What are common medication-overuse warning thresholds?
ICHD-3 uses 15 or more days per month for simple analgesics and NSAIDs, and 10 or more days per month for triptans, ergots, opioids, combination analgesics, or multiple acute medication classes, when the pattern continues for more than 3 months.
Should I stop my medicine if my result is elevated?
Do not stop or change prescribed medication without speaking with a healthcare professional. This is especially important for opioids, butalbital-containing medicines, and any clinician-directed treatment plan.
How does this connect with a migraine diary?
A diary helps you track headache days, medication-use days, response, recurrence, and patterns over time. Those details are often more useful for a clinician than one isolated monthly estimate.
Learn More from Our Blog
References
1. International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition. Medication-overuse headache. ICHD-3.
2. American Migraine Foundation. Medication Overuse Headache. Read AMF resource.
3. American Headache Society. Medication Overuse Headache. Read AHS resource.
4. Mayo Clinic. Medication overuse headaches. Read Mayo Clinic overview.
5. NICE. Treatment for medication overuse headache. Read NICE guidance.
6. Kebede YT, et al. Medication overuse headache: a review of current evidence and management strategies. PubMed.