Treating cluster headache involves addressing the severe, sometimes unbearable, pain during the headache, and disrupting or shortening the cluster episode. Acute treatment medications are similar to those used for migraine and include the following:
- Sumatriptan, which can be given in injectable or nasal form for rapid onset. The other oral triptans may also be effective.
- DHE(Migranal)—Delivered as a nasal spray, can have a rapid onset. DHE is also available in an injectable form. It is also useful in migraine. Side effects include nausea and dizziness.
- Narcotics may be helpful, although the onset of most oral agents may not be rapid enough, given the severity and brief duration of the headache.
- Breathing 100% oxygen during the acute headache can be helpful for some people. When the diagnosis of cluster is made, and other medications do not work well, a tank of oxygen can be kept for home use.
Physician-developed and -monitored.
Original Date of Publication: 02 Jan 2002
Reviewed by: Stanley J. Swierzewski, III, M.D.
Last Reviewed: 01 Dec 2007
Headache, Cluster Headache Treatment reprinted with permission from neurologychannel.com
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