The medications on this page are some of the more common ones prescribed to treat cluster headaches.  This list is made available strictly for you to have options to discuss with your physician.  Do not take any medicine or nutritional supplement for your headaches without discussing it with your physician first!

Cluster Headache Medications

Cluster Headache medications are divided into three main classes:  Abortive - designed to quickly stop an individual attack;  Preventative - to eliminate attacks all together or to minimize them so a sufferer can lead as close to a normal life as possible; and Transitional - designed to temporarily stop attacks until a long term preventative can take effect.

Abortive Medications

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Having trouble affording medications?  Click Here to go to a site that offers financial assistance in obtaining medications.

Brand Name Type of Drug Composition Comments
Imitrex® vasoconstrictor sumatriptan succinate Comes in tablet, nasal and injectible forms.  If you don't like needles click here for a needleless injector.
Amerge® vasoconstrictor naratriptan hydrochloride 1mg and 2.5mg tablets
Please visit the medication survey page at www.clusterheadaches.com to enter your personal experiences with medications and to view other's success with them.  This is a great resource in helping decide which medications work best for cluster headaches. Zomig® vasoconstrictor zolmitriptan 2.5mg and 5mg tablets; 5mg nasal spray
Axert® vasoconstrictor almotriptan maleate 6.25mg and 12.5mg tablets
Oxygen vasoconstrictor oxygen 7 to 15 liters/minute via a non-rebreathing mask for 10 to 20 minutes
Click here for a comparison of all the triptan based medications.  
Cafergot / Ercaf / ergotamine vasoconstrictor ergotamine Tablets / suppositories / sublingual tablets
We encourage you to use the various prescription medication information websites to do your own research for info on your medications. Dihydroergotamine
 (DHE 45)
vasoconstrictor dihydroergotamine mesylate Injection, IV or nasal spray (Migranal)
Lidocaine local anesthetic 4.5% lidocaine Nasal spray or drops
Maxalt® vasoconstrictor rizatriptan benzoate 5mg, 10mg tablets
Butalbital sedative    

Need More Imitrex?

If you need more Imitrex than your insurance company will provide and your doctor is willing to prescribe, you can contact GlaxoSmithKline directly. They have a division called "Reimbursement Resource Center" (the name implies you have to pay up front, but that is not the case). Call them at 1-800-745-2967 option #3, give them the information they ask for, your doctor's name & number, insurance company info, etc. and they will assign you a case worker who will contact your insurance company and hopefully get them to increase the number of doses

 

Stadol NS® synthetic opiod butorphanol tartate Also comes in injectible form.

Preventative Medications

Verapamil calcium-channel blocker verapamil hydrochloride tablets,  blood pressure medication.
Catapres® alpha-agonist clonidine hydrochloride tablets, blood pressure medication
Lithium anti-manic agent lithium carbonate Usually combined with verapamil or cortisone.  Mainly for chronic clusters.  Side effects.
Depakote® seizure medication divalproex sodium tablets
Neurontin® anticonvulsant Gabapentin  
Topamax® antiepileptic topiramate Side effects
Methysergide (Sansert®) synthetic ergot / serotonin antagonist methysergide 2mg tablets.  Side effects
Indocin® NSAID indomethacin capsules, suppositories.  Can be hard on stomach
Bellergal S® vasoconstrictor / sedative belladonna, ergotamine, phenobarbital tablets
Effexor® tricyclic antidepressant venlafaxine hydrochloride tablets
Elavil® tricyclic antidepressant amitriptyline 10 - 150mg tablets
Tegretol® anticonvulsant carbamazepine  
Lamictal® anticonvulsant lamotrigine  
Tenormin® beta-blocker atenolol  
Inderal® beta-blocker propranolol  
Amerge® vasoconstrictor naratriptan hydrocloride 1mg, 2.5mg tablets.  Taken at bedtime, may prevent the night cluster.

Transitional Medications

       
Prednisone steroid prednisone side effects likely
Dexamethasone adrenalcorticosteroid dexamethasone  
       
       
       
       
       
DISCLAIMER: The use of brand names on this page is in no way a recommendation of one particular brand over another or over a generic equivalent.  The information provided on this web site is for educational and informational purposes only.  It should not be used as a substitute for seeking professional care or for the diagnosis and treatment of any medical disorder.  O.U.C.H. makes no claims as to the scientific/clinical validity of the information on this site OR to that of the information linked to from this site.  All information taken from the internet should be discussed with a medical professional! 

Page Last Updated: 08/21/2008