Why are antidepressant drugs sometimes used to treat headaches?
A number of different drugs can be used to prevent frequent or severe headaches. Many of these drugs were first developed for treating other conditions, such as depression, heart disease or seizures. However, they appear to work for headaches even if a person does not have one of these underlying conditions. For example, amitriptyline is in a category of drugs known as tricyclic antidepressants. Tricyclic antidepressants treat depression, but they also treat headaches, chronic back pain and nerve injuries. Although amitriptyline was once a common treatment for depression, it is now mainly used to relieve pain. Similarly, the drug valproic acid was originally developed to prevent seizures, but it also prevents migraines. The package insert (printed information that comes with prescription drugs) often includes useful information. Be sure to read it carefully, and ask your health-care provider questions if you are confused about why a drug was prescribed. However, keep in mind that print
