Along with traditional headache medications, other drugs -- like antidepressants -- can help you have fewer and less-severe headaches.
Generic Name | Brand Name | Possible Side Effects |
Amitriptyline | Fatigue, dry mouth, weight gain, constipation, drowsiness, and blurred vision. Older adults also may feel confusion or faintness. | |
Desipramine | Norpramin | Dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, increased appetite, nausea, tiredness, weakness, weight gain |
Doxepin | Silenor | Dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, increased appetite, nausea, tiredness, weakness, weight loss |
Imipramine | Tofranil | Dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, weakness, weight gain |
Nortriptyline | Pamelor | Dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, increased appetite, nausea, tiredness, weakness, weight gain |
Protriptyline | Dry mouth, weight gain, constipation |
Other Antidepressants Used in Headache Prevention
Generic Name | Brand Name | Possible Side Effects |
Fluoxetine | Prozac | Nausea, dry mouth, appetite changes, agitation |
Nefazodone | Blurred vision, lightheadedness, clumsiness, ringing in the ears, skin rash, itching | |
Paroxetine | Paxil | Fatigue, weight gain |
Sertraline | Zoloft | Insomnia, restlessness |
Venlafaxine | Effexor | Vision changes, low sex drive, headaches |
Citalopram | Celexa | Drowsiness, nausea, insomnia, dry mouth, sweating |
Escitalopram | Lexapro | Ejaculating too fast or too slow, insomnia, headache, drowsiness, diarrhea, nausea |
Trazodone | Oleptro | Dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, nausea and vomiting, a bad taste in your mouth |
Bupropion | Wellbutrin | Agitation, anxiety, buzzing or ringing in ears, skin rash, hives, itching |
Phenelzine | Nardil | Chills, cold sweats, confusion, dizziness or lightheadedness when you get up, overactive reflexes |