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Is gabapentin an effective treatment choice for hemicrania continua?

Roderick C Spears1

  • 1Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA. spearsr2@ccf.org

The Journal of Headache and Pain
|May 14, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Gabapentin effectively treated hemicrania continua (HC) in patients intolerant to indomethacin. Seven of nine patients experienced significant pain reduction, with four becoming completely pain-free.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Hemicrania continua (HC) is a challenging headache disorder.
  • Indomethacin is a primary treatment but often causes adverse effects.
  • Alternative treatments are needed for patients intolerant to indomethacin.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of gabapentin for HC.
  • To assess gabapentin as an alternative for patients with indomethacin intolerance.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of nine HC patients.
  • Inclusion criteria: age 18+, HC diagnosis, indomethacin response, and indomethacin intolerance.
  • Data collected on pain reduction with gabapentin.

Main Results:

  • Four patients (44%) reported complete pain relief.
  • Three patients (33%) reported 50-80% pain reduction.
  • Seven out of nine patients (78%) achieved at least 50% pain reduction.

Conclusions:

  • Gabapentin demonstrates significant efficacy in treating HC patients.
  • Gabapentin is a viable alternative for HC patients intolerant to indomethacin.
  • Further research is warranted to confirm these findings.

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