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Hypnic headache: another indomethacin-responsive headache syndrome?
D W Dodick1, J M Jones, D J Capobianco
1Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AR 85259, USA.
Headache
|January 3, 2001
Summary
Hypnic headache syndrome, a sleep-related headache, may respond well to indomethacin. This finding offers a new treatment option for patients experiencing this rare headache disorder.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hypnic headache syndrome is a rare, benign headache disorder exclusively occurring during sleep.
- Established treatments like lithium have side effects, especially in elderly patients.
- Alternative medications such as caffeine, flunarizine, and verapamil have shown limited efficacy.
Observation:
- Seven patients diagnosed with hypnic headache syndrome were treated with indomethacin.
- The study observed the clinical response of these patients to the medication.
Findings:
- Indomethacin demonstrated effectiveness in suppressing hypnic headaches in the observed patients.
- This suggests indomethacin is a viable therapeutic option for hypnic headache syndrome.
Implications:
- Indomethacin provides a promising alternative treatment for hypnic headache syndrome.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and establish optimal dosing.
- This could improve the quality of life for individuals suffering from this sleep-disrupting condition.