Nasal Spray Effective for Severe Headache

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study reveals a nasal spray is a safe and effective way to treat a cluster headache. Researchers report the spray may become the treatment of choice for patients with cluster headaches.

Cluster headaches are rare but very debilitating for those who get them. It is considered by some to be the most painful type of headache. The pain usually happens on one side of the head and peaks within five minutes and can last 30 minutes to three hours. Men are three- to four-times more likely to suffer from cluster headaches than women. There are few treatment options for a cluster headache.

Researchers studied the effectiveness of zolmitriptan nasal spray to treat cluster headaches. The medication is known as Zomig in its tablet form. The study included 52 people with cluster headaches who used 5 milligrams or 10 milligrams of zolmitriptan nasal spray or placebo to treat 151 separate cluster headache attacks. Researchers report 63 percent of people treated with the drug at the higher dose reported relief at 30 minutes, compared to 50 percent of people taking the lower dose of the nasal spray and 30 percent in the placebo group.

Study authors write the only FDA-approved treatment for a cluster headache involves an injected drug. This research reveals zolmitriptan nasal spray is also effective and should be considered as a treatment option for those suffering from cluster headaches, according to study authors.

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SOURCE: Neurology, 2007;69:821-826

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