Table 3

Preventative management of cluster headache

Short term preventionLong term prevention
Episodic cluster headacheEpisodic cluster headache—prolonged
Chronic cluster headache
*Limited data, such as pizotifen,69 or negative controlled data, such as valproate.70
? Unproven but promising

  • Prednisolone

  • Methysergide

  • Daily (nocturnal) ergotamine

  • Verapamil

  • Greater occipital nerve injection*

  • Pizotifen*

  • Verapamil

  • Lithium

  • Methysergide

  • Valproate*

  • Pizotifen*

  • ?Topiramate

  • ?Gabapentin

  • ?Melatonin