Melatonin responsive hemicrania continua.

Abstract

Hemicrania continua is one of the indomethacin-responsive headache syndromes. There are very few effective alternative therapies for hemicrania continua, thus patients may require daily indomethacin for years. The risks of long-term indomethacin include gastrointestinal and renal dysfunction. Melatonin is a pineal hormone with a chemical structure very similar to indomethacin. Recently, melatonin was shown to be effective for primary stabbing headache, another indomethacin-responsive syndrome. Three cases of melatonin responsive hemicrania continua are now reported.

• Authors: Todd D Rozen
• Journal: Headache (Headache) 2006 Jul-Aug Vol. 46 Issue 7 Pg. 1203-4 ISSN: 0017-8748 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16866728 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Anticonvulsants
• Melatonin
• Indomethacin

Topics

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (therapeutic use)
• Anticonvulsants (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Headache Disorders (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Indomethacin (therapeutic use)
• Melatonin (therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Treatment Outcome