AIIMS-Trained Neurologist Warns Against Overusing Painkillers, Says It Can Make Headaches Worse

Painkillers are often seen as quick relief for headaches, but an AIIMS-trained neurologist is warning that using them too often can do more harm than good. Dr Rahul Chawla, a neurologist from AIIMS New Delhi and consultant at IBS Hospital in Lajpat Nagar, says that anyone taking painkillers for more than 10–15 days a month should stop immediately and see a specialist.

Dr Chawla shared his message on Instagram on November 15. He explained that many people take pills like Dolo at the first sign of a headache, without finding out the real reason behind the pain. This habit, he says, can create a dangerous cycle where the medicine meant to help actually makes the problem worse.

According to Dr Chawla, when someone takes painkillers too often, the brain becomes used to the medicine and starts depending on it. Over time, the person needs more pills just to feel normal. This can lead to medication overuse headache, a condition where the headache becomes stronger and more frequent because of the same pills taken to cure it.

He said that many patients he meets in his OPD take painkillers daily for months. Some avoid visiting neurologists, some jump from one doctor to another, and some rely on advice shared on social media without checking its accuracy. As a result, they never get a proper diagnosis or treatment plan.

Dr Chawla explained that while many patients have common conditions like tension headache or migraine, some have rare disorders like idiopathic intracranial hypertension or central nervous system vasculitis. These cases need medical care but can be managed well if caught early. However, patients often avoid getting evaluated because they fear long-term medicines, and this delay makes their condition worse.

He warned that long-term use of painkillers can damage the liver and kidneys. Paracetamol overuse is one of the top causes of drug-induced liver injury. Painkillers like NSAIDs can cause kidney problems, stomach ulcers, gastric bleeding, and high blood pressure. With constant use, the brain becomes sensitive to even small amounts of pain, causing headaches to come back again and again.

Dr Chawla explained that frequent use of these medicines increases activity in the brain’s pain pathways. The pain threshold goes down, meaning the person experiences pain more easily. When the effect of the medicine wears off, a rebound headache starts, forcing the person to take more pills. This becomes a never-ending loop.

He said that almost 20–30 percent of chronic headache patients seen in neurology clinics suffer from this type of overuse headache. The good news is that it can be reversed if the person stops overusing medicines and follows a proper treatment plan under a neurologist.

Dr Chawla urges people to understand their headaches instead of treating them blindly. He says that consulting a neurologist, getting the right tests, and following a planned course of treatment can help manage the real cause of pain. This approach protects both the brain and the body.

His message is simple: If you take painkillers for more than 10–15 days a month, stop now. Seek medical help and let an expert find the root cause. Good health begins with the right guidance, not repeated self-medication.