Lithium Treatment for Different Headache Types

Lithium is a widely used drug in clinical practice. It probably interferes with melatonin secretion, and therefore interferes with the sleep-wake cycle and control of mood. Some headache types are cyclical, and these may respond:

1. Episodic Cluster Headache (randomised trial evidence)
2. Chronic Cluster Headache (randomised trial evidence)
3. Hypnic Headache (case series evidence)
4. Chronic Paroxysmal Hemicrania (case report only:most cases do not respond to Li, but do respond to indomethacin)
5. Cluster-tic Syndrome (the occurrence of cluster headache and trigeminal neuralgia in the same unfortunate person

There are cases of migraine being made worse and another case report related intracranial hypertension to its use! SUNCT is said not to respond.

References

Alvarez-Cermeño JM et al. (cf Intracranial Hypertension case)Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain 1989;29:246-7. (Free Abstract only)

Bussone G et al. Cluster Headache Prophylaxis..Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain 1990;30:411-7. (Free Abstract only)

Julio Pascual and José Berciano. Relief of cluster-tic syndrome... Cephalalgia 1993;13:205-6. (Free Abstract only)

Steiner TJ et al. Double-blind placebo-controlled trial..in episodic cluster headacheCephalalgia 1997;17:673-5 (Frre Abstract only)

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