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 |
||||
|
$$$$$$$$$$ 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! | ||||
DISCLAIMER: 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!
