Real-world use of over-the-counter medications by patients with migraine in Japan: results from the OVERCOME (Japan) 2nd study
Abstract Background People with migraine may prefer over-the-counter (OTC) drugs because of multiple reasons, but their overuse can cause medication overuse headaches. This analysis of the ObserVational survey of the Epidemiology, tReatment, and Care Of MigrainE (OVERCOME [Japan]) 2nd study describe...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | The Journal of Headache and Pain |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-025-02046-8 |
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| author | Ryotaro Ishii Tsubasa Takizawa Shiho Suzuki Daisuke Danno Moemi Miura Yoshinori Tanizawa Satoshi Osaga Chie Hashimoto Mika Komori |
| author_facet | Ryotaro Ishii Tsubasa Takizawa Shiho Suzuki Daisuke Danno Moemi Miura Yoshinori Tanizawa Satoshi Osaga Chie Hashimoto Mika Komori |
| author_sort | Ryotaro Ishii |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background People with migraine may prefer over-the-counter (OTC) drugs because of multiple reasons, but their overuse can cause medication overuse headaches. This analysis of the ObserVational survey of the Epidemiology, tReatment, and Care Of MigrainE (OVERCOME [Japan]) 2nd study describes the real-world use of OTC headache drugs and the challenges that potentially prevent people with migraine from accessing appropriate medical management in Japan. Methods This analysis of the cross-sectional, population-based, nationwide online survey included adults with migraine. Respondents reported their experiences with prescription and OTC drugs for migraine, migraine-specific drug awareness, and attitude towards migraine. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the number of monthly headache days (MHD) and the frequency of OTC drug use/month. Results The 19,590 respondents with migraine (68.8% female; mean [SD] age 40.5 [13.1] years) had mean (SD) 3.5 (5.2) MHDs; 29.0% consulted doctors in the past year for migraine. OTC drug use in the past year was common (≥ 62.1%) regardless of doctor consultation or number of MHDs. Among respondents who answered that they would usually use prescribed drugs when they have a migraine attack, 35.2% reported that they would typically use OTC drugs too. The frequency of OTC drug use was the same or higher than that of prescribed drugs in 51.3% of the respondents who consulted doctors in the past year. Only 14.6% of respondents discussed OTC drugs with doctors during consultations in the past year. Migraine-specific drug access and awareness were limited even among frequent OTC drug users (≥ 10 days/month); 18.2% used triptans, but 65.5% never heard of it. Among 37.1% of respondents who had hesitated to visit a doctor, ‘I could handle it myself with OTC medicine’ was the most common reason for hesitation (34.9%). Conclusion OTC drug use is common among people with migraine; however, it is not frequently discussed with doctors. Many respondents, even those with frequent OTC drug use, did not have access or awareness of migraine-specific drugs. To prevent medication overuse for migraine, the use of OTC drugs should also be discussed and managed. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a4892ea2eb93485f8f7f2d4640c1c0d0 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1129-2377 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Journal of Headache and Pain |
| spelling | doaj-art-a4892ea2eb93485f8f7f2d4640c1c0d02025-08-20T02:15:16ZengBMCThe Journal of Headache and Pain1129-23772025-05-0126111310.1186/s10194-025-02046-8Real-world use of over-the-counter medications by patients with migraine in Japan: results from the OVERCOME (Japan) 2nd studyRyotaro Ishii0Tsubasa Takizawa1Shiho Suzuki2Daisuke Danno3Moemi Miura4Yoshinori Tanizawa5Satoshi Osaga6Chie Hashimoto7Mika Komori8Kyoto Prefectural University of MedicineKeio University School of MedicineDokkyo Medical UniversityTominaga HospitalSocial Survey Research Information Co., LtdEli Lilly Japan K.KEli Lilly Japan K.KEli Lilly Japan K.KEli Lilly Japan K.KAbstract Background People with migraine may prefer over-the-counter (OTC) drugs because of multiple reasons, but their overuse can cause medication overuse headaches. This analysis of the ObserVational survey of the Epidemiology, tReatment, and Care Of MigrainE (OVERCOME [Japan]) 2nd study describes the real-world use of OTC headache drugs and the challenges that potentially prevent people with migraine from accessing appropriate medical management in Japan. Methods This analysis of the cross-sectional, population-based, nationwide online survey included adults with migraine. Respondents reported their experiences with prescription and OTC drugs for migraine, migraine-specific drug awareness, and attitude towards migraine. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the number of monthly headache days (MHD) and the frequency of OTC drug use/month. Results The 19,590 respondents with migraine (68.8% female; mean [SD] age 40.5 [13.1] years) had mean (SD) 3.5 (5.2) MHDs; 29.0% consulted doctors in the past year for migraine. OTC drug use in the past year was common (≥ 62.1%) regardless of doctor consultation or number of MHDs. Among respondents who answered that they would usually use prescribed drugs when they have a migraine attack, 35.2% reported that they would typically use OTC drugs too. The frequency of OTC drug use was the same or higher than that of prescribed drugs in 51.3% of the respondents who consulted doctors in the past year. Only 14.6% of respondents discussed OTC drugs with doctors during consultations in the past year. Migraine-specific drug access and awareness were limited even among frequent OTC drug users (≥ 10 days/month); 18.2% used triptans, but 65.5% never heard of it. Among 37.1% of respondents who had hesitated to visit a doctor, ‘I could handle it myself with OTC medicine’ was the most common reason for hesitation (34.9%). Conclusion OTC drug use is common among people with migraine; however, it is not frequently discussed with doctors. Many respondents, even those with frequent OTC drug use, did not have access or awareness of migraine-specific drugs. To prevent medication overuse for migraine, the use of OTC drugs should also be discussed and managed.https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-025-02046-8Over-the-counterSurveyHeadacheAcute medicationPreventive medication |
| spellingShingle | Ryotaro Ishii Tsubasa Takizawa Shiho Suzuki Daisuke Danno Moemi Miura Yoshinori Tanizawa Satoshi Osaga Chie Hashimoto Mika Komori Real-world use of over-the-counter medications by patients with migraine in Japan: results from the OVERCOME (Japan) 2nd study The Journal of Headache and Pain Over-the-counter Survey Headache Acute medication Preventive medication |
| title | Real-world use of over-the-counter medications by patients with migraine in Japan: results from the OVERCOME (Japan) 2nd study |
| title_full | Real-world use of over-the-counter medications by patients with migraine in Japan: results from the OVERCOME (Japan) 2nd study |
| title_fullStr | Real-world use of over-the-counter medications by patients with migraine in Japan: results from the OVERCOME (Japan) 2nd study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Real-world use of over-the-counter medications by patients with migraine in Japan: results from the OVERCOME (Japan) 2nd study |
| title_short | Real-world use of over-the-counter medications by patients with migraine in Japan: results from the OVERCOME (Japan) 2nd study |
| title_sort | real world use of over the counter medications by patients with migraine in japan results from the overcome japan 2nd study |
| topic | Over-the-counter Survey Headache Acute medication Preventive medication |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-025-02046-8 |
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