Lithium for cluster headaches
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Examples
| Brand Name | Chemical Name |
| Lithotabs | lithium carbonate |
How It Works
It is unclear how lithium prevents cluster headaches. It may affect the function of the brain's biological clock, the hypothalamus.
Why It Is Used
Lithium may be used to prevent occasional and chronic cluster headaches. Lithium costs less than some other medications.
How Well It Works
Lithium effectively reduces chronic cluster headaches and episodic or occasional cluster headaches. Around 78% of people treated with lithium have relief from pain within just a few days of starting this treatment.1 It is sometimes combined with other medications, such as corticosteroids or ergotamine, for more effective treatment.
Side Effects
Side effects of lithium include:
- Tremor (the most common side effect, can be treated with propranolol [Inderal]).
- Nausea.
- Fatigue and weakness.
- Weight gain.
- Swelling.
- Kidney problems, such as excess urination and low sodium (diabetes insipidus).
- Thyroid problems and enlargement of the thyroid gland (with long-term use).
- Confusion or other nervous system symptoms that can result from too much lithium in the blood.
People taking lithium must get a normal amount of salt in their diet to avoid severe side effects, such as very low sodium.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
If you are taking lithium, you will need to have regular blood tests to monitor the level of lithium in your blood. You may also need to have your thyroid gland and kidney function monitored during long-term use of lithium.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
References
Citations
Rozen TD (2002). New treatments in cluster headache. Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports, 2(2): 114–121.
Credits
| Author | Ralph Poore |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Michele Cronen |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Seymour Diamond, MD - Neurology |
| Last Updated | April 21, 2006 |
Print This
| Last updated: | April 21, 2006 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Ralph Poore |
| Reviewed By: | Renée M. Crichlow, MD - Family Medicine, Seymour Diamond, MD - Neurology |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman |
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