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Cluster Headache Medicine - Coggle Diagram
Cluster
Headache
Medicine
Acute (
fast acting
) treatment
Oxygen
Acts whitin 15 mins
Drawbacks
Portability
There are mobile devices
Trough mask inhalation
Triptans
sumatriptan (Imitrex)
Use
Injection
zolmitriptan (Zomig)
Nasal spray
Drawbacks
Less effective
Options
sumatriptan (Imitrex)
zolmitriptan (Zomig)
Drawbacks
Not suitable for high blood pressure
zolmitriptan (Zomig)
Octreotide (Sandostatin)
Synthetic brain hormone somatostatin
Drawbacks
Less fast and effective than triptans
Local anesthetics
Use
Nasal
Possible options
lidocaine
Dihydroergotamine
dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45)
Use
Injection
Inhaled
Unproved
Preventive (
attack surprising
) treatments
Medicine choice depends on
Lenghts of attacks
Regularity of attacks
Calcium channel blockers
Options
verapamil (Calan, Verelan, others)
Pros
Fast
Can be used with other medicines
Side effects
constipation, nausea, fatigue, swelling of the ankles and low blood pressure.
Corticosteroids
Possible options
prednisone (Prednisone Intensol, Rayos
Pros
Fast acting
Effective
Suitable for most people
Possible side effects
diabetes, hypertension and cataracts
Duration
Several days max
Suitable for
started recently or if you have a pattern of brief cluster periods and long remissions
Lithium carbonate
(Lithobid)
May be effective if other medications do not help
Side-effects
tremor, increased thirst and diarrhea. Your doctor can adjust the dosage to minimize side effects.
While you're taking this medication, your blood will be checked regularly for the development of more-serious side effects, such as kidney damage.
Nerve blocking
Injecting a numbing agent (anesthetic) and corticosteroid into the area around the occipital nerve, situated at the back of your head, might improve chronic cluster headaches.
An occipital nerve block may be useful for temporary relief until long-term preventive medications take effect. It's often used in combination with verapamil
Others
anti-seizure medications, such as topiramate (Topamax, Qudexy XR, others).
Surgery
Potential future treatments
Occipital nerve stimulation
Deep brain stimulation