Corticosteroids for Cluster Headaches - Topic Overview
Corticosteroids (such as prednisone or dexamethasone) are referred to as "transitional" medicines for the treatment of cluster headaches because they are sometimes used to break a cycle of cluster headaches. They are paired with medicines that stop (abortive) or prevent (prophylactic) additional headaches during a headache cycle. Often, within 2 to 4 days after starting treatment with corticosteroids, you will become headache-free. By the time the corticosteroids are stopped-their use is often tapered within 6 to 8 weeks of starting and then discontinued-the medicines used to prevent cluster headaches, such as verapamil, have taken effect.
Corticosteroids are not used over a long period of time because they can cause serious side effects, including:
Avoiding Exercise-Related Migraines
Being active is a key part of healthy living. But for some people with migraines, exercise can be tricky. For some, exercise can be a migraine trigger. Terrell Davis, a former Denver Broncos running back, sat out most of the second quarter of Super Bowl XXXII in 1998 because of a migraine. Yet after taking his medication, he came back to the game and was named Most Valuable Player. The good news is that there are steps you can take to make exercise-related migraines less likely. Here are four ways...
Read the Avoiding Exercise-Related Migraines article > >
- Weight gain.
- High blood pressure.
- High blood sugar levels.
- Cataracts.
- Osteoporosis.
- Stomach ulcers.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
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