Intravenous treatment of chronic daily headaches in the outpatient headache clinic

Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2006 Feb;10(1):47-53. doi: 10.1007/s11916-006-0009-z.

Abstract

The most likely future of aggressive headache treatment will reside in the sphere of the specialist's clinic. This is a far more cost- and time-effective mode of treating intractable chronic daily headaches (CDH), including chronic migraines. We have used this technique successfully in our clinic for many years. Our experience with intravenous treatment of headaches and migraines was summarized recently and a 97.5% success rate for this type of treatment was found in the clinic. Compared with the treatments commonly available in the emergency department, the specialist's clinic can offer more effective headache-altering definitive treatments. Patients can be offered a maximum degree of success for control of their intractable headaches. In this article, approaches to aggressive treatment of ongoing CDH using intravenous methods of therapy are discussed. All of these can be performed in the clinic setting, avoiding some of the costly aspects of treatment that are present in an emergency room setting.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Ambulatory Care Facilities*
  • Analgesics / administration & dosage
  • Anesthetics / administration & dosage
  • Antiemetics / administration & dosage
  • GABA Agents / administration & dosage
  • Headache Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Infusions, Intravenous
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents / administration & dosage

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Anesthetics
  • Antiemetics
  • GABA Agents
  • Vasoconstrictor Agents