Email a Friend
Print ArticleMigraines & Headaches Health Center
Antidepressants and Other Drugs to Treat Headaches
In addition to the traditional headache medications, there are other medications -- 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
| 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 |
Reviewed by The Cleveland Clinic Neuroscience Center.
WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic
Migraines & Headaches Guide
TOPAMAX is approved for migraine prevention in adults only.
TOPAMAX is not used to stop a migraine after it starts.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Serious risks associated with TOPAMAX include lowered bicarbonate levels in the blood resulting in an increase in the acidity of the blood (metabolic acidosis). Symptoms could include hyperventilation (rapid, deep breathing), tiredness, loss of appetite, irregular heartbeat or changes in the level of alertness. Call your doctor immediately if you get these symptoms. Your doctor may want to do simple blood tests. Chronic, untreated metabolic acidosis may increase the risk for kidney stones or bone disease.
Other serious risks include decreased sweating, increased body temperature, kidney stones, sleepiness, dizziness, confusion, difficulty concentrating, and increased eye pressure (glaucoma). Call your doctor immediately if you have any decrease in vision or eye pain. These problems can lead to blindness if not treated right away.
More common side effects are tingling in arms and legs, loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea, diarrhea, taste change and weight loss.
Tell your doctor about other medications you take. Please see full U.S. Prescribing Information.
© 2004-2008 Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc. All rights reserved.
WebMD does not endorse any specific product, service, or treatment.
WebMD Editors’ Picks: News and Trends in Migraines
Find a hospital by procedure or condition
How would you like to get rid of migraines and wrinkles all in one shot? It's not BOTOX, but it does hit you right between the eyes. Hear from one migraine patient, sporting a broken wrist from a fall, who had the surgery.
Most Popular Stories
WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.