Prophylactic treatment of cluster headache with verapamil and prednisone
10.3760/cma.j.issn.1671-8925.2010.12.019
- VernacularTitle:维拉帕米和泊尼松预防治疗丛集性头痛的疗效对比观察
- Author:
Yan HUANG
1
;
Kai-Yun ZHU
;
Shui-Sheng ZHONG
;
Hua LI
;
Jun-Pao CHEN
Author Information
1. 广东省第二人民医院
- Keywords:
Cluster headache;
Verapamil;
Prednisone
- From:
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine
2010;09(12):1259-1261
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of verapamil as prophylactic therapy for patients withcluster headache, and compare its efficacy with that of prednisone.Methods Prospectively, according to the order of visit, a total of 45 patients with episodic cluster headache or chronic cluster headache were divided into verapamil treatment group (n=23, the odd) and prednisone treatment group (n=22, the even). The seizure frequency, and times of and dosage of using acesodyne were observed in the 2 groups 1 week before treatment, 1 and 2 week after treatment.Results Mean frequency of headache occurrence decreased from 8.78 to 2.52 and 1.35 times,respectively, in the first and second week of treatment in the verapamil group (P=0.000) and from 8.09 to 2.95 and 1.64 times, respectively, at the corresponding time in the prednisone group (P=0.000). Mean abortive agent consumption decreased from 8.09 to 1.65 and 0.48 pills, respectively, in the verapamil group (P=0.000) and from 7.77 to 2.59 and 1.36 pills, respectively, in the prednisone group (P=0.000) in the first and second week of treatment; no significant differences existed in the mean frequency of headache and abortive agent consumption between the 2 groups at the same time point (P＞0.05). The side effects of verapamil were mild, including dizziness, constipation and bradycardia and those ofprednisone were insomnia, increased appetite combined with weight gain and discomfort of abdomen. Conclusion Both verapamil and prednisone prophylaxis therapy for episodic and chronic cluster headache yield significant reduction in headache frequency and abortive agent consumption; choices can be made according to different situations.
