Curriculum Library Menu
Chapter 6. Pharmacologic (drug) & Non-pharmacologic (non-drug ) Options.
Common Primary Headache Acute/Abortive Treatments:
Stop headache attack-Use as soon as you can. Don’t Wait!
Tension type headache
- Acetaminophen
- Ibuprofen
Migraine
- OTC: Aspirin, Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, Naproxen
- OTC: Combination medications containing aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine
- Rx: Triptans, ditans, calcitonin gene-related peptides (CGRP)
- Neuromodulators
Cluster headache
- Triptans
- High Flow 100% oxygen
- Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation
Common Primary Headache Preventive Treatments
Reduce frequency and/or severity
Tension type headache
- Mindfulness therapy
- Exercise
- Physical therapy
- Antidepressants
- Anticonvulsants
Migraine
- Mindfulness-based therapies
- Exercise
- Dietary factors avoidance
- Vitamins or supplements
- Blood pressure medications
- Antiseizure medications
- Antidepressant medications
- CGRP inhibitors
- Botulinum Toxins
- Occipital nerve injections
- Neuromodulators
- Sleep hygiene
Cluster headache
- Verapamil
- Topiramate
- Corticosteroids
- Lithium
- Galcanezumab
Common Secondary Headache Acute/Abortive Treatments
Medication Overuse
- After thorough evaluation, review appropriate usage and either stopping or decreasing use of the drug. Possible bridge therapy with a different drug during withdrawal.
Post Traumatic Headache
- After thorough evaluation, medication options determined based on each individual headache
Cervicogenic headache
- Education
- Exercise
- Physical therapy
- Medications as warranted
Common Secondary Headache Preventative Treatments
Medication Overuse
- Be mindful of medicines that are prone to cause Medication Overuse Headache and limit their use.
Post Traumatic Headache
- After thorough evaluation - medication options determined based on how headache is presenting
- Healthy lifestyle
- Physical therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cervicogenic headache
- Education
- Exercise
- Physical therapy
- Medications as warranted