How are cluster headaches treated?
A two-pronged approach is necessary for treatment of cluster headaches: acute treatment and prevention. The first step is to stop or at least subdue an attack in progress. The AAFP recommends oxygen therapy through a face mask to help stop an acute attack. A nasal spray called sumatriptan (Imitrex®) is also used to relieve the severe pain of a cluster headache. Sumatriptan is a selective serotonin receptor agonists – a medication that causes blood vessels in the brain to constrict, thereby relieving pain. The second part of cluster headache treatment is to prevent recurrent attacks by using daily medication. There are numerous medications that are used to prevent cluster headache attacks, but only a few have been tested through randomized controlled clinical trials.
