Medications for Cluster Headaches

A term used to describe a headache that is typified by constant, unilateral pain around the eye, with onset usually within 2-3 hours of falling asleep. Can be accompanied by a blocked nasal passage, runny nose, and-or tearing.

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Drugs used to treat Cluster Headaches

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

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Brands and Generics

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Rx and OTC

Drug name	Rating	Reviews	Rx/OTC	Pregnancy	CSA	Alcohol
tizanidine Off-label	6.9	30 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: tizanidine systemic Brand name: Zanaflex Drug class: skeletal muscle relaxants For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information Off-label: Yes

sumatriptan	8.4	80 reviews	Rx	C	N
Generic name: sumatriptan systemic Brand names: Imitrex, Imitrex Statdose Drug class: antimigraine agents For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

verapamil	8.9	62 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: verapamil systemic Brand names: Calan SR, Verelan PM, Verelan Drug class: calcium channel blocking agents, group IV antiarrhythmics For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Zanaflex Off-label	8.0	7 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: tizanidine systemic Drug class: skeletal muscle relaxants For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information Off-label: Yes

Imitrex	8.8	28 reviews	Rx	C	N
Generic name: sumatriptan systemic Drug class: antimigraine agents For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

indomethacin	8.5	17 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: indomethacin systemic Brand names: Indocin, Indocin SR Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

prednisone	9.0	21 reviews	Rx	C	N
Generic name: prednisone systemic Drug class: glucocorticoids For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Migranal	9.3	3 reviews	Rx	X	N
Generic name: dihydroergotamine systemic Drug class: antimigraine agents For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Cafergot	9.0	6 reviews	Rx	X	N
Generic name: caffeine / ergotamine systemic Drug class: antimigraine agents For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Calan SR	10	2 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: verapamil systemic Drug class: calcium channel blocking agents, group IV antiarrhythmics For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

cyproheptadine	9.8	4 reviews	Rx	B	N	X
Generic name: cyproheptadine systemic Drug class: antihistamines For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Emgality	5.8	31 reviews	Rx		N
Generic name: galcanezumab systemic Drug class: CGRP inhibitors For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

dihydroergotamine	8.8	8 reviews	Rx	X	N
Generic name: dihydroergotamine systemic Brand names: Migranal, D.H.E. 45 Drug class: antimigraine agents For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

caffeine / ergotamine	9.1	10 reviews	Rx	X	N
Generic name: caffeine / ergotamine systemic Brand names: Cafergot, Migergot Drug class: antimigraine agents For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Imitrex Statdose	9.7	3 reviews	Rx	C	N
Generic name: sumatriptan systemic Drug class: antimigraine agents For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Indocin	9.0	1 review	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: indomethacin systemic Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

zolmitriptan Off-label	9.3	3 reviews	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: zolmitriptan systemic Drug class: antimigraine agents For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information Off-label: Yes

lithium Off-label	8.8	8 reviews	Rx	D	N	X
Generic name: lithium systemic Drug class: antimanic agents For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information Off-label: Yes

Verelan PM	10	1 review	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: verapamil systemic Drug class: calcium channel blocking agents, group IV antiarrhythmics For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Verelan	8.0	1 review	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: verapamil systemic Drug class: calcium channel blocking agents, group IV antiarrhythmics For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

D.H.E. 45	9.0	3 reviews	Rx	X	N
Generic name: dihydroergotamine systemic Drug class: antimigraine agents For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Indocin SR	Rate	Add review	Rx	C	N	X
Generic name: indomethacin systemic Drug class: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

galcanezumab	5.8	33 reviews	Rx		N
Generic name: galcanezumab systemic Brand name: Emgality Drug class: CGRP inhibitors For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Migergot	0.0	1 review	Rx	X	N
Generic name: caffeine / ergotamine systemic Drug class: antimigraine agents For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects For professionals: Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

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Topics under Cluster Headaches

Cluster-Tic Syndrome (6 drugs)

Learn more about Cluster Headaches

Legend

Rating	For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity	Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx	Prescription only.
OTC	Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC	Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label	This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA	An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access	Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.

Pregnancy Category
A	Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B	Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C	Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D	There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X	Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N	FDA has not classified the drug.

Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M	The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U	CSA Schedule is unknown.
N	Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1	Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2	Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3	Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4	Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5	Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.

Alcohol
X	Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

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