Codeine migraine

Patients with migraine who use daily codeine or other opioids can be more susceptible to chronic daily headaches this is evident in opiate overuse. In a pilot questionnaire study of 32 patients who used codeine or other opioids for control of their bowel motility after colectomy, chronic daily headaches occurred in those who were misusing opioids, but only if they had pre-existing migraine (3). The study had significant limitations, including the small sample size, diagnosis by means of a mailed questionnaire, a short duration of overuse of opioids, and the fact that it was uncontrolled. 

A 53-year-old woman developed severe central abdominal and epigastric pain 90 minutes after taking codeine for migraine. Pancreatic amylase, lipase, and hver function tests were mildly raised. Abdominal ultrasound was consistent with acute pancreatitis. 

Migraine can often be treated with paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin alone, or with combination products containing them. There are also some non-prescription medicines specifically licensed for the treatment of migraine. One such is a coformulation of paracetamol, codeine and the antihistamine buclizine, included for its antiemetic action. Other specific migraine treatments are reviewed below. 

Analgesic/ Anti-inflammatory Non-prescription treatment of colds, allergies, pain Prescription treatment of chronic pain, arthritis, migraines, etc. ASA (aspirin), ibuprofen, indomethacin, acetaminophen Naproxen, diclofenac, propyphenazone, codeine 33, 40, 55, 61, 62... 

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