HA Flashcards
What is a med overuse headache
Frequent or excess use of migraine medication causing a syndrome of self-sustaining HA-Medication cycle
How do you recognize a med overuse headache
gradual onset of an atypical daily or near daily headache with superimposed episodic migraine attacks
What meds are said to cause med overuse headaches more frequently
Simple and combo analgesics and opiates
Triptans (in men w/ high frequency of HA)
How often should you use Triptans
Max of 9 times per month!
What is a migraine headache
Recurring throbbing head pain
Unilateral
Lasts 4-72 hours
Associated N/V, photophobia, phonophobia, and sensitivity to movement
The pathogenesis of migraine headaches is related to
complex dysfunctions in neuronal and broad sensory processing
Pain and Sx are 2/2 neural suppression, and activation of subcortical structures
Migraine pain is 2/2
Activity within the trigeminovascular system (afferent fibers arising from trigeminal ganglia and projecting peripherally to innervate IC extracerebral blood vessels, dura, and large venous sinuses
What is the pathophys of a migraine
- Afferent fibers of trigeminal ganglia project centrally and terminate in the brain stem and upper cervical spinal cord
- Activating trigeminal sensory nerves= release of vasoactive neuropeptides (CGRP, neurokinin A, substance P)
- Neuropeptides interact with dural blood vessels= vasodilation and dural plasma extravasation= Neurogenic inflammation
Continues afferent input can result in
sensitization of these central sensory neurons= hyperalgesic state that responds to previously innocuous stimuli and maintains HA
What is 5-HT
a mediator of migraine HA, involved in the pathophys and Tx of migraine HA
Long story short pathophys of migraines
Vasodilation of extra-cerebral vessels= activation of perivascular trigeminal nerves= vasoactive neuropeptide release= neurogenic inflammation
Central pain transmission activates other brain stem nuclei= associated Sx
Goals of migraine Tx include
Long term: Reduce migraine frequency, severity, and disability
Acute: Treat rapidly, restore functional ability
Analgesics that can be used to Tx migraines are
Tylenol Excedrin migraine (APAP250/ASA250/caffeine65)
NSAIDs that can be used for migraine are
ASA
Ibuprofen
Naproxen sodium
Diclofenac
Serotonin Agonists that can be used to Tx migraines are
Triptans!
Sumatriptan: inject, PO, nasal spray
Zolmitriptan: PO, nasal spray
Adjunct: Metoclopramide (reglan), Prochlorperazine (compazine)
Other acute migraine meds include
Ergotamine Tartrate: oral w/ caffeine, sublingual, rectal suppository w/ caffeine
Dihydroergotamine: injection, nasal spray
(Ergo has more potent arterial effects)
What is Ergotamine/Dihydroergotamine
Non-selective 5-HT1 receptor AGONIST;
Constricts IC blood vessels and inhibits development of neurogenic inflammation in trigeminovascular system
Dopaminergic receptor agonist
How do Triptans work
Selective 5-HT1b/1d receptor AGONISTS
- Enhance IC vasoconstriction
- Inhibit vasoactive peptide release from trigeminal neurons
- Inhibit transmission through second order neurons ascending to thalamus
How do you dose Sumatriptan
Injection: 6mg subQ at onset. repeat after 1 hour if needed. MAX 12mg
PO: 25-100mg at onset, repeat after 2 hours if needed. MAX 200mg
Nasal: 5-20mg at onset, repeat after 2 hours if needed. MAX 40mg
How do you dose Zolmitriptan
oral tab: 2.5-5mg, repeat after 2 hr if needed. MAX 10mg
*Do NOT divide ODT
Nasal: one 5mg spray at onset, repeat in 2 hr if needed. MAX 10mg
How do you dose the other Triptans
Naratriptan: 1-2.5mg, repeat in 4 hr. MAX 5mg
Rizatriptan (ODT): 5-10mg, repeat in 2 hr. MAX 30mg
Almotriptan: 6.25-12.5, repeat in 2 hr. MAX 25mg
Frovatriptan: 2.5-5mg, repeat in 2hr. MAX 7.5mg
Eletriptan: 20-40mg, repeat in 2hr. MAX 80mg
With ergotamine administration, consider
pre-treatment with antiemetic when dosing oral tablet or rectal suppository