Headache Fact Sheets 2 | National Headache Foundation

Aspirin and Migraine

For nearly a century, aspirin has been used to treat migraine and other headaches. It has several actions that make it useful for treating migraine. First, it is an analgesic or pain reliever. Secondly, it blocks or reduces inflammation. This action…

CT Scan – Brain Scan

A CT Scan is short for computerized axial tomography of the brain. It utilizes x-rays which are combined by a computer into a single picture. This process enables the physician to obtain a series of pictures of the brain without…

Bellergal-S

Bellergal-S is a preventive medication that contains ergotamine. The amount of ergot contained is less than medications used to abort attacks (Ercaf®, Cafergot®). When taken on a daily basis, patients should be monitored by a physician. Side effects can include…

Vitamins

Advertisements suggesting the beneficial effects of a variety of vitamins, minerals, and nutritional supplements as an effective treatment for headaches, these methods remain unsubstantiated in the medical literature. The excessive ingestion of fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin A and D,…

Tricyclic Antidepressants

Tricyclic antidepressants help to preserve catecholamines* in the brain. They include amitriptyline (Elavil®), protriptyline (Vivactil®), nortriptyline (Pamelor®), imipramine (Tofranil®), desipramine (Norpramin® and Pertofrane®), and doxepin (Sinequan®). These medications are often used in patients who experience frequent, daily or near-daily headaches….

Fiorinal and Fioricet

Fiorinal and Fioricet are medicines for tension-type headaches. Fiorinal contains aspirin and Fioricet contains acetaminophen. They both contain butalbital and caffeine. Codeine is sometimes also added to this combination. Butalbital, a barbiturate sedative, is habit-forming. These medications should not be…

Catapres

Catapres is the tradename for an alpha agonist, antihypertensive drug generically known as clonidine. This medication is sometimes confused with the anti-anxiety medication Klonopin. In Europe its commercial name is Drixarit®. European studies have shown it effective in the prevention…

Transcutaneous Electrical Neurostmulator (TENS)

TENS is short for “Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator”. There are a number of manufacturers of these units and several different types. They have a similarity in that they generally use a 9-volt radio battery to produce a small electric current….

Beta Blockers

The use of beta blockers for the treatment of migraine began in the late ’60’s, when by accident migraine sufferers being treated for cardiovascular disease found that their migraine attacks lessened. Further research in the ’70s led to propranolol being…

Tinnitus

Tinnitus can often be an accompanying symptom to migraine. It refers to a persistent noise such as a ringing in the ear or buzzing sound heard by the individual. It can also be caused by the frequent use of a…

Imipramine – Tofranil

Imipramine (Tofranil®) is an antidepressant medication. It is classified as a tricyclic antidepressant, which refers to its chemical structure. Imipramine, like other tricyclic antidepressants, has been used as an effective treatment for depression, chronic pain and headache prophylaxis. Patients who…

Thunderclap Headache

There have been articles in the medical literature describing a sudden, severe headache that may mimic a thunderclap in its intensity and severity. Some researchers feel it may be a warning of an impending rupture of an aneurysm or weak…

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