Posted by Steve H. in Germany on June 07, 1999 at 15:17:14:
READ THIS FIRST!
I AM NOT A DOCTOR - I DO NOT PROMOTE THE USE OF ALL OR ANY OF THESE DRUGS! DO SEEK MEDICAL ADVISE BEFORE USING ANY MEDICATIONS!!
I've seen alot of questions posted by newcomers concerning mention of various medications on this site. My desire is to help sort through what is what. I've include a list I have compiled for my own use in trying to keep all these meds straight. Most, if not all, of the information was obtained from the Clinical Pharmacology Online site that this site links to.
TIP: What I do while I am reading posts to this site is to have open and minimized my medications list doc AND the Clinical Pharmacology Online search facility. When I come across a medication that I have not heard of (or have forgotten - I can't remember them all) I can reference my list or search for it immediately. If it is not on my list I immediately add it. I have searched Clinical Pharmacology Online for each drug on my list and printed them off so that I may maintain them in a binder for reference. I find it a great tool!
So, now I pass my list on to all of you ( a simple copy and paste operation :) ) so that WE have it! Note: I am not responsible for the content or accuracy of this list. I only desire to supply a quick "cheat sheet" as a reference. Do see a doctor about any medications!
Hope at least one person finds it to be of use!
Cluster Headaches - Medications and Treatments
Notes:
Combinations of medications are typically prescribed for resistant cases.
Combination or multiple medications may be required to control symptoms of cluster headache. Because response to medications varies, several medications may be tried before a suitable medication combination is found. Response can vary over time, so a previously taken effective medication or combination of medications may not have the same effect.
Abortive / Responsive Treatments ( i.e., at the onset of a headache or after the headache has started )
Sumatriptan ( Imitrex® ) – antimigraine drug that is structurally similar to serotonin
Naratriptan ( Amerge® ) – antimigraine agent similar to sumatriptan
Zomotriptan ( Zomig® ) – antimigraine agent similar to sumatriptan
Ergotamine - vasoconstrictor
Oxygen ( vasoconstrictor – also stimulates the synthesis of serotonin in the central nervous system )
Lidocaine ( Xylocaine® ) - anesthetic
Dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45®, Migranal® ) vasoconstrictor
Methoxyflurane ( Penthrane® ) - analgesic
Phenylpropanolamine ( Acutrim® ) - rare occurrence of intracerebral hemorrhage – viable safe alternatives
Cafergot® ( ergotamine with caffeine )
Caffeine
Preventative Treatments
Ergotamine - vasoconstrictor
Dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45®, Migranal® ) - vasoconstrictor
Prednisone ( Deltasone®, Orasone® ) - corticosteriod
Triamcinolone ( Aristocort®, Aristospan®, Azmacort® ) - corticosteriod
Methysergide ( Sansert® ) – vasoconstrictor, member of the ergotamine-type drugs
Lithium ( lithium carbonate ) – used to treat episodic and chronic forms
Ergonovine
Phenelzine ( Nardil® ) – Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) anti-depressant
Pizotifen, Cyproheptadine ( Periactin® )
Indomethacin ( Indocin® ) - used to treat chronic paroxysmal hemicrania, a subgroup of the chronic form
Verapamil ( Calan®, Isoptin® ) – vasodilator, calcium channel blocker used to treat chronic form
Nifedipine ( Procardia® ) - calcium channel blocker used to treat chronic form
Nimodipine ( Nimotop® ) - calcium channel blocker used to treat chronic form
Chlorpromazine ( Thorazine® ) - used to treat chronic form
Lidocaine and 120mg methyprednisolone acetate in polyethylene glycol ( occipital nerve steriod blockade )
Betamethasone ( Betatrex®, Beta-Val®, Celestone® ) - occipital nerve steroid blockade
Valproic Acid, Divalproex Sodiuim ( Depacon™, Depakene®, Depakote® ) – anti-seizure medicine
Propranolol ( Betachron®, Inderal®, Inderal® IV ) – beta-blocker
Butorphanol ( Stadol® ) – synthetic parenteral opiate agonist-antagonist
Amitriptyline ( Elavil®, Endep® ) – tricyclic anti-depressant
Capsaicin ( Capzasin-P®, Icy Hot®, Rid-a-Pain®, Zostrix® ) – external analgesic
Leuprolide ( Lupron® ) - fairly new drug, works by mimicking a hormone called GnRH
Nefazodone ( Serzone® ) – antidepressant
Methylphenidate ( Ritalin® ) – CNS stimulant similar to the amphetamines
Bromfenac ( Duract™ ) – nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID)
Naproxen ( Anaprox® ) – nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID)
Bupropoin ( Wellbutrin® ) – antidepressant drug
Dexamethasone ( Decadron® ) – synthetic glucocorticoid antiinflammatory or immunosuppressive agent
Imipramine ( Tofranil® ) – antidepressant drug
Promethazine ( Phenergan® )
Naltrexone ( Depade®, ReVia™ ) – opiate receptor antagonist
Fluconazole ( Diflucan® ) – synthetic antifungal agent
Meclizine ( Antivert® ) – antivertigo / antiemetic agent
Topiramate ( Topiramate® ) – antiepileptic drug (AED)
Gabapentin ( Neurontin® ) – anticonvulsant