Management of headaches. Focus on new strategies

Migraine headaches can be successfully treated both abortively and prophylactically with carefully selected pharmaceutical agents. Mixed headache syndrome is complex and difficult to manage. Treatment is often complicated by patients' susceptibility to dependency and accompanying sleep disturbances, as well as by troublesome drug interactions. Cranial neuralgias can be successfully treated in the majority of cases. Since many patients with cranial neuralgias are elderly, careful monitoring of serum drug levels and frequent blood cell counts during therapy are crucial.