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Episodic Cluster Headache: Short and Long Term Results of Prophylactic Treatment
Author(s) -
Carolis Piero,
Capoa Daniela,
Agati Raffaele,
Baldrati Anna,
Sacquegna Tommaso
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1111/j.1526-4610.1988.hed2807475.x
Subject(s) - prednisone , medicine , cluster headache , nimodipine , methysergide , lithium carbonate , prophylactic treatment , anesthesia , lithium (medication) , surgery , antagonist , migraine , ion , physics , receptor , quantum mechanics , ionic bonding , calcium
SYNOPSIS We reviewed our experience with episodic cluster headache patients to evaluate both short and long term results of prophylactic treatment. 50 patients (46 M ‐ 4 F) with episodic cluster headache were studied. During a follow‐up period (mean duration 27.5 months, range 12–84) we studied: response to prophylactic treatment, relapses in responders, and response to the same prophylactic treatment when repeated in subsequent bouts. Drugs used were: Prednisone 50 mg/day; Nimodipine 120 mg/day; Lithium Carbonate 900 mg/day and Methysergide 6 mg/day. The patients were treated at the start of the cluster (within the first week of a bout); successful outcome was defined as the disappearance of attacks within seven days of treatment. Prednisone and Nimodipine gave positive results in over 50% of cases, Lithium Carbonate in 40% of cases, Methysergide in less than 30% of cases. Prednisone presented 33% of relapses; less relapses occurred with Lithium and Nimodipine. Treatment effectiveness tends to diminish in subsequent bouts irrespective of the drug used.