Mexiletine for refractory chronic daily headache: a report of nine cases.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the use of mexiletine in the treatment of chronic daily headache in a refractory headache population.


BACKGROUND
Intravenous lidocaine is a novel treatment for chronic daily headache with medication overuse and SUNCT syndrome. Mexiletine is a similar but orally active anti-arrhythmic that has been demonstrated to be an effective analgesic in various types of neuropathic pain. We looked at mexiletine as a preventative treatment for headache in refractory patients.


METHODS
We reviewed the medical records of all patients with an order for mexiletine. For each patient, we determined diagnosis, presence of medication overuse on initial evaluation, pain scores, and if the patient received intravenous lidocaine before starting the medication. We then contacted patients by phone to confirm their dose, to review side effects and current pain scores, and to obtain a global impression of effectiveness.


RESULTS
We identified 9 patients with a chronic daily headache, including chronic migraine or new daily persistent headache, with significant clinical improvement while using mexiletine as a headache preventative. Each patient had failed to respond to multiple preventative and acute treatments. Seven of the 9 rated mexiletine "much more effective" and 2 "more effective" than previous preventative headache medications. The daily dose ranged from 600 mg/day to 1500 mg/day. Side effects were common and occurred in 7 patients. The majority of patients with an order for mexiletine did not respond to treatment or had intolerable side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
The preliminary study suggests mexiletine is a useful preventative treatment for some patients with chronic daily headache, including refractory patients with medication overuse or those who have failed multiple preventatives in the past.
Marmura
Michael J
MJ
Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
Passero
Frank C
FC
Young
William B
WB
D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D020773:Headache Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051271:Headache Disorders, Secondary / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008801:Mexiletine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000700:Analgesics; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D008801:Mexiletine