Headaches Flashcards
Abortive meds for HAs?
- analgesics
- NSAIDS
- combo analgesics
- antiemetics
- triptans (5-HT agonists)
- ergot alkaloids
preventative meds for HAs?
- BBlockers
- anticonvulsants
- antidepressants
- CCBs
- serotonin antagonists
Analgesics used for tx HA sxs?
- tylenol: 325- 650 q 4-6 hrs not to exceed 3250 mg/day * watch for liver toxicity * 1st choice during PG and breastfeeding
- Aspirin: 325-650 mg q 4-6 hrs - don't exceed 4000 mg/day - inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, reducing inflamm. response and platelet aggregation - CIs: hx of bleeding disorders asthma hypersensitivity
NSAIDS use in tx HA? MOA, SE? BBW?
- MOA: inhibit cox-2 enzyme
- SEs: abdominal cramps, nausea, indigestion, Renal impairment
BBW: CV events - Ibuprofen (motrin):
200-400 mg, don’t exceed 2400 mg/ 24 hrs - naproxen: initial 500 mg then 250 mg q 6-8 hrs, not to exceed 1250 mg/day
- these are first line!!
Combo analgesics used for HA tx? barbiturates
- barbiturates:
fiorinal: butalbital/caffeine/ASA, 50/40/325 dose, give 1-2 tabs q 4hr, max 6 tabs/day - MOA: inhibit prostaglandin, sedation, cerebral vasoconstriction
- preg C
SEs:
drowsiness, N/V, abdominal pain
fioricet: butalbital/caffeine/acetaminophen 50/40/325 dose, 1-2 tabs q 4 hr, max 6/day - preg C - BBW: hepatotoxicity SEs: drowsiness, N/V, and abdominal pain
- habit forming
- can cause overuse HAs
- don’t use more than 3 days/month
Combo analgesics? Midrin
isometheptren/dichloraphenazone/acetaminphen
- 65/100/325 dose
- 1-2 caps q 4 hrs, max 8 caps/day
- MOA: cerebral vasoconstriction, sedation, analgesia
- Preg C
- Ses: drowsiness, N/V, and abdominal pain
- not used as much
Antiemetics - phenothiazines?
BBW?
- promethazine (phenergan) PO, IM, IV, rectal
- prochlorperazine (compazine) PO, IM, IV, rectal, PO sustained release capsule
- MOA: non-selectively antagonizes central and peripheral histamine H1 receptors
- Preg C
- SE: drowsiness, sedation
BBW: resp depression in younger than 2 yo and tissue necrosis with injections (phenergan)
- dementia related psychosis (compazine)
Antemetics - metoclopromide (reglan)? BBW?
- PO/IV/IM
- MOA: antagonizes central and peripheral dopamine receptors
- Preg B
- SEs: drowsiness, restlessness, fatigue
BBW: tardive dyskinesia
Triptans used in HA relief?
- 5-HT1 receptor agonists:
sumatriptan (imitrex): PO at HA onset, SC, nasal
naratriptan (amerge): has higher bioavailability, longer acting, lower rate of HA recurrences
rizatriptan (maxalt): early onset of action (30 min)
zolmitriptan (zomig): PO/nasal/disintegrating tablet onset of migraine
Frovatriptan (Frova): half life 26 hrs, works well for menstrually related migraines
2 day miniprophylaxis
MOA, CI, Preg, and SEs of triptans?
MOA: agonist effect on serotonin 5-HT1 receptors in cranial bood vessels and subsequent inhibition of pro-inflammatory neuropeptide release
- CIs:
CAD, PVD, stroke, hemiplegic and basilar migraine
use of SSRIs (serotonin syndrome)
MAOI use
Preg C
Don’t use for more than 9 days/month
SEs: nausea jaw, neck, or chest pressure or tightness fatigue burning sensation of the skin increased BP
Onset of sxs and triptans use?
- all efforts should be made to initiate therapy as soon as possible after first sxs of attack, since success is proportional to rapidity of tx, and lower dosages will be effective with less SEs
ergot alkaloids use? MOA? preg? BBW?
- first migrain specific drug
- have fallen out of favor d/t unpredictable pt response
- dihydroergotamine (DHE) and Ergotamine
MOA: nonspecific 5-HT agonist, antagonist, or both types of activity for serotonergic, dopaminergic and alpha-adrenergic receptors
- results in constriction of peripheral and cranial vessels
preg X
BBW: life threatening peripheral ischemia
- effects are woorse with admin with potent CYP 3A4 inhibitors, protease inhibitors and macrolide abx
Admin of ergotamine tartrate (ergots, ergomar) and SEs?
- PO, SL, PR
don’t exceed 6 mg/attack - SEs:
rebound HA, vascular occlusion, dependence
Admin of DHE 45 (migranal)? Adverse effects?
- IM/SQ and IV - al max 6 mg/week
- nasal 1 spray each nostril, repeat q 15 min to max 4-6 sprays/day, max: 8 sprays/ week
Adverse effects - more common: burning or tingling sensation dry mouth dryness, soreness or pain in nose runny or stuffy nose, change in sense of taste, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, HA, increased sweating, N/V, muscle stiffness
less common:
anxiety, blurred vision, cold clammy skin, confusion, congestion in chest, cough, decreased appetite, pounding heartbeat, depression, nervousness
Recommendations in HA care?
- tx with safest, least expensive drug during first attack
- progress to more expensive and specific therapies for subsequent attacks if initial tx unsuccessful
- stratified care: tx assigned based on severity of HA
Narcotic analgesics?
- meperidine (demerol)
- morphine
- oxymorphone
- hydromorphone (dilaudid)
- Norco
- percocet
- oxycodone
- hydrocodone
- fentanyl
- in general NOT recommended for tx of HAs
- use in migraines for:
rescue med for severe migraine, and infrequent migraines with CIs to other agents
Combo therapy in HA relief tx?
- Triptan+OTC naproysn (aleve) 220 mgx1 with onset of HA
- NSAID with antiemetic
- moderate narcotic with antiemetic
When should preventative therapy be initiated?
Goals of preventative therapy?
- recurring HA that significanly interferes with daily routine in pt’s opinion
- CIs or failure of overuse of acute therapies
- adverse reaction with acute therapies
- pt preference
goals of preventative therapy:
- decrease attack frequency and duration
- improve responsiveness to tx of acute attacks
- improve fxn and decrease disability
Meds used for preventative therapy?
- BBlockers: propranolol (inderal)
- anticonvulsants: valproic acid (depakote), topramax (topiramide)
- antidepressants: TCAs, SSRIs
- CCBs - Calan (verapamil)
BBlocker use as preventative therapy? Caution in? SEs?
- propanolol (Inderal) and TImolol have been approved by FDA for migraine prophylaxis
- *** Considered FIRST line for prophylactic tx of migraines
- propanolol stary 40 mg bid daily
- timolol: 5 mg once daily
- used with caution: baseline bradycardia asthma 2nd or 3rd degree AV block CHF
SEs:
- fatigue, depression, impotence, hypotension
CCBs - MOA, CI, Meds, SE?
- MOA: inhibition of serotonin release
- CI: bradycardia, heart block, a-fib
- meds: verapamil (calan): start at 40-80 mg tid daily, considered 2nd or 3rd line tx, but ** 1st for cluster HA
- SEs: flushing dizziness constipation peripheral edema
Anticonvulsants? Depakote
- valproic acid (depakote)
- may decrease HA frequency by as much as 50%
- effects seen within first 4 weeks of therapy
- dose ranges: 250 mg bid
- SEs:
wt gain, tremor, nausea, hair loss - preg: D
Anticonvulsants? topiramate (topamax)
SEs?
CI?
- FDA approved in 2004
- dose 25 mg qhs for 1st week
- increase weekly by 25 mg
- SEs:
concentration and memory impairment
fatigue
wt loss
nausea
preg C
CIs: liver and renal impairment
Antidepressants use in preventative therapy? Most effective?
- TCAs most effective:
Elavil (amitryptiline) only TCA with proven efficacy, start at 10 mg/hs
SNRI venlafaxine (Effexor): effective starting 37.5 mg once daily
- insufficient data regarding SSRIs and HAs:
Prozac
zoloft
paxil
SEs: main limiting factor - sedation, dry mouth, constipation, wt gain
Recommendations for prevention of HAs and migraines?
- for most pts with episodic migraine
- choice of agents depends on individual situation, assoc medical problems
- start low, give adequate time for tx to take effect
- avoid overuse of abortive therapy
- lifestyle measures
Goals for prevention?
- improve pt’s quality of life
- initiate with meds that have highest level of effectiveness and lowest SEs
- may take 2-6 months
What is a HA? Causes?
-(cephalalgia) is pain anywhere in region of the head or neck
- HA is a non-specific sx, but has many causes:
sleep deprivation
stress
effects of meds/drugs
infections
Primary HA?
- 90% of HAs
- usually start b/t 20-40
- most common types are migraines and tension-type HAs
- cluster is also a primary HA
Secondary HAs?
- caused by underlying disease
- can be harmless or dangerous
- red flags indicate the HA may be dangerous!
Causes of secondary HAs?
- trauma: subdural hematoma, epidural hematoma
- SAH
- meningitis
- brain tumor
- temporal arteritis
PP of a migraine?
- primary neurovasular dysfxn that leads to a sequence of change intracranial and extracranial that account for the migraine
- HA results from dilation of blood vessels innervated by trigeminal nerve caused by a release of neuropeptides from parasympathetic nerve fibers
How common are migraines?
- affect 12% of pop
- 17% women, 6% men
- most common ages: 30-39
- can be familial
- most common type is migraine w/o aura