Antidepressants and Other Drugs to Prevent Headaches
In addition to the traditional headache medications, there are other drugs -- like antidepressants -- that may be prescribed to reduce the severity and frequency of your headaches.
| Generic Name | Brand Name | Use | Possible Side Effects |
| Amytriptyline | Elavil | Prevention of tension headaches | Fatigue, dry mouth, weight gain, constipation, drowsiness, and blurred vision. Older adults also may experience confusion or faintness. |
| Desipramine | Norpramin | Prevention of tension headaches | Dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, increased appetite, nausea, tiredness, weakness, weight gain |
| Doxepin | Sinequan | Prevention of tension headaches | Dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, increased appetite, nausea, tiredness, weakness, weight loss |
| Imipramine | Tofranil | Prevention of tension headaches | Dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, weakness, weight gain |
| Nortryptiline | Pamelor | Prevention of tension headaches | Dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, increased appetite, nausea, tiredness, weakness, weight gain |
| Protryptiline | Vivactil | Prevention of tension headaches | Dry mouth, weight gain, constipation |
Other Antidepressants Used in Headache Prevention
| Prozac | Prevention of tension headaches | Nausea, dry mouth, increased appetite, agitation |
| Serzone | Prevention of tension headaches | Blurred vision, lightheadedness, clumsiness, ringing in the ears, skin rash, itching |
| Paxil | Prevention of tension headaches | Fatigue, weight gain |
| Zoloft | Prevention of tension headaches | Insomnia, restlessness |
| Effexor | Prevention of tension headaches | Vision changes, decrease in sexual desire or ability, headaches |
| Celexa | Prevention of tension headaches | |
| Lexapro | Prevention of tension headaches | |
| Deseryl | Prevention of tension headaches | Dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, nausea and vomiting, unpleasant taste |
| Wellbutrin | Prevention of tension headaches | Agitation, anxiety, buzzing or ringing in ears, skin rash, hives, itching |
| Phenelzine | Prevention of tension headaches |
WebMD Medical Reference
Reviewed by
Varnada Karriem-Norwood, MD on April 19, 2012
© 2012 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
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