brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Cluster Headaches
Treatment of Cluster Headaches
Oxygen or a medication to stop headaches as they start Medications to prevent cluster headaches over the long term The following may be used to stop (abort) a cluster headache as it is starting or to keep it from progressing: Oxygen given by face mask given by injection (see table Some Drugs Used to Treat Migraines ) Zolmitriptan(a type of triptan) or a local anesthetic (such aslidocaine) taken by nasal spray Cluster headaches can also be aborted by Stimulation of the vagus nerve (the 10th Because cluster headaches are so severe, frequent, and incapacitating, people who have them are given medications to prevent them. These medications include Prednisone, a corticosteroid given by mouth A local anesthetic plus a corticosteroid given by injection into the back of the head (a procedure called a nerve block) Prevention (such as divalproex, Lithium Monoclonal antibodies such asgalcanezumab Prednisoneor a nerve block may be used first because they take effect more quickly. Then one of the other drugs is used for long-term prevention. A nerve block must be done in the doctor's office. The other treatments can be taken at home. 