Preventing Attacks of Cluster Headache
Attacks are usually short, lasting from 15 – 180 minutes, and the excruciating pain may have subsided by the time a patient reaches a doctor’s office or emergency room. Because it can be difficult to treat attacks when they occur, treatment efforts focus on the prevention of attacks during cluster cycles.[1] Although certain drugs are standard, preventive therapy needs to be individually tailored for each patient. The doctor may prescribe a combination of drugs.
Verapamil (Calan), a calcium-channel blocker drug, is the mainstay preventive treatment for cluster headaches. However, it can take 2 to 3 weeks for this drug to take effect. During this period, corticosteroids (typically prednisone) may be used as an initial transitional therapy. For long-term treatment of chronic cluster headaches, lithium may be used as an alternative to verapamil.[2]
Although they are not approved for cluster headache, anti-seizure drugs such as valproate (Depakote), topiramate (Topamax), and gabapentin (Neurontin), are sometimes used for preventive treatment.
Preventing Attacks of Migraine Headache
Several medications are used for prevention of migraine.
- Beta Blockers – Inderol and Toprol, which relax blood vessels.
- Calcium channel blockers – Cardizem and Procardia, vasodilator and relaxes blood vessels causing migraine headache.
- Tricyclic antidepressants – Amitriptyline.
- Anticonvulsants – Depakote and Topamax.[3]
Preventing Attacks of Tension Headache
Avoid anxiety, fatigue, and hypoglycemia which triggers tension headache. Preventive medications used in tension headaches are:
- Tricyclic antidepressants – Amitriptyline.
- Anticonvulsants – Depakote and Topamax.
- NSAIDs – Advil and Aleve.[4]
Also Read:
- What is Headache or Cephalalgia?
- Treatment for Headache: Medications, NSAIDs, Opioids, Oxygen Therapy, Surgery
- Diagnosis of Headache: Migraine, Tension, Cluster, Stroke and TIA
- Preventive Treatment for Headache: Cluster, Migraine, Tension Headaches
- Splitting Headache, Is It Migraine?
- Exertional Headaches or Exercise Headaches: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention
