Triptans for Cluster Headaches
Examples
| Generic Name | Brand Name |
|---|---|
| sumatriptan | Imitrex |
| zolmitriptan | Zomig |
The injected form of sumatriptan is used to treat cluster headaches. Self-injection kits are available so that you can give yourself the shot. Nasal and oral sumatriptan are also available.
You can take zolmitriptan as a pill (by mouth) or use it as a nasal spray.
How It Works
Triptans (sometimes referred to as 5-HT-1 receptor agonists) shrink the blood vessels in the brain, which may relieve pain by reducing pressure from inflammation that can occur with cluster headaches. Triptans may also affect certain brain chemicals that regulate pain.
Why It Is Used
Sumatriptan may be injected, sprayed in the nose (nasal spray), or taken by mouth as a pill to stop cluster headaches.
Zolmitriptan may be sprayed in the nose (nasal spray) or taken by mouth as a pill to stop cluster headaches.
How Well It Works
A shot of sumatriptan works very well to stop a cluster headache. When injected soon after a cluster headache starts, sumatriptan can stop headache pain within 15 minutes.1
Nasal and oral sumatriptan and zolmitriptan all work to stop cluster headaches. But they may not work as quickly or as well as a shot of sumatriptan.
Side Effects
Injected sumatriptan may cause the following side effects:
- Flushing
- Tingling
- Dizziness
- A feeling of warmth or coldness
- Burning at the injection site
The nasal spray of either medicine may cause:
- Nausea.
- Bad taste in the mouth.
Side effects usually start shortly after you get the medicine, and they go away within 1 hour. Some people may feel chest pressure or tightness. This is usually not dangerous.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about taking SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or SNRIs (selective serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), two kinds of antidepressant medicines, with triptans. Taking these medicines together can cause a very rare but serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Triptans should not be used if you have heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or are pregnant or nursing.
Triptans should not be combined with certain other medicines, such as ergotamines.
Triptans can be very expensive, so the cost of treating frequent cluster headaches can add up. If you are thinking about using triptans to treat your cluster headaches, you may want to weigh the cost of a triptan against the cost of other medicines, office visits, and time lost from work.
It is important that you do not use triptans daily to treat or prevent cluster headaches. Overuse of triptans can cause you to have more headaches when the medicine wears off. These are called rebound headaches. If you feel like you need to use triptans often, talk to your doctor. He or she may have you try a different medicine.
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