title: [Treatment of cluster headache].
abstract: Management of cluster headache has greatly changed in recent years although most of the drugs used have not received approval for this indications. Subcutaneous injections of sumatriptan has been found to be remarkable effective for acute episodes. This drug continues to exhibit efficacy for long periods of use up to several months and has no serious adverse effects if used according to recommendations. Nasal administration of oxygen (not approved for this indication in France) continues to be an adjuvant treatment for patients with a contraindication for sumatriptan or for those with more than two acute episodes per day. Other treatments are under debate. Prophylactic first intention verapamil (not approved in France for this indication) could be useful. Lithium (not approved in France for this indication) could also be helpful, particularly for certain clinical forms. Other options are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Service de neurologie, Hôpital Rangueil, Toulouse.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fabre
mesh_terms: D003027:Cluster Headache / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000601:surgery; D004878:Ergotamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008550:Melatonin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008784:Methysergide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; D018170:Sumatriptan / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014700:Verapamil / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D018170:Sumatriptan; D008094:Lithium; D014700:Verapamil; D008550:Melatonin; D004878:Ergotamine; D008784:Methysergide