title: Memantine for the prevention of primary headache disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the current data evaluating the efficacy and safety of memantine for the prevention of primary headache disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search using MEDLINE (1966-July 2014) and EMBASE (1973-July 2014) was conducted using the search terms memantine, headache, migraine, glutamate, and NMDA. References of identified articles were reviewed for additional, relevant citations.
  
  
  METHODS
  All English-language articles dealing with the use of memantine for prevention of primary headache disorders were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from several retrospective reports and 2 prospective clinical trials suggest that memantine may be a useful treatment option for the prevention of primary headache disorders. The majority of available literature focuses specifically on chronic migraine prevention in refractory patients who had failed multiple previous prophylactic therapies. In these patients, 10 to 20 mg of memantine daily reduced the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches and was generally well tolerated, with few adverse events. Data regarding the efficacy of memantine for other primary headache disorders such as chronic tension type and cluster headaches are limited.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although further studies evaluating the efficacy of memantine for prevention of primary headache disorders are warranted, memantine may be a reasonable option, used either as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy, in the refractory chronic migraine prophylaxis setting.
authors.affiliation: OhioHealth, Columbus, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Rite Aid Pharmacy, Port Angeles, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bocek
authors.affiliation: Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, IN, USA Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Jordan
authors.affiliation: Indiana University Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA Purdue University College of Pharmacy, West Lafayette, IN, USA hecka@purdue.edu.
authors.forename: Amy Heck
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Sheehan
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D051270:Headache Disorders, Primary / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008559:Memantine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D008559:Memantine
keywords: NMDA; glutamate; headache; memantine; migraine