Headache
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Trigeminal neuralgia results from disturbances in the trigeminal root entry zone which generate repetitive action potentials. Drugs which relieve the pain of trigeminal neuralgia depressed these potentials. Anticonvulsants which exert this or related effects, and which have been demonstrated to be efficacious in trigeminal neuralgia, include carbamazepine, phenytoin, clonazepam, and valproic acid. ⋯ The mechanism of action of pimozide for treating trigeminal neuralgia is not known. Carbamazepine is suggested as the drug of first choice; baclofen or clonazepam could be added if carbamazepine monotherapy is ineffective. When these fail, monotherapy with phenytoin, pimozide, or valproic acid would be a reasonable next step.
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A number of clinical reports have revealed an association between the use of alcohol and drugs and the onset or exacerbation of headaches. In order to investigate this association systematically and to examine the temporal relationship between onset of headaches and psychoactive substance use, we analyzed responses to a self-report questionnaire from 267 consecutive admissions to a three-week inpatient substance abuse treatment program. ⋯ The following characteristics were noted in the 236 respondents: 1) Over 89% reported having experienced some type of headache. 2) Headache-free individuals were significantly older than headache sufferers. 3) Women were much more likely to have migraine headaches than men. 4) Onset of migraines occurred prior to onset of substance use, while onset of tension headaches occurred after onset of substance use. Although associational data must be interpreted with caution, an intriguing hypothesis compatible with the finding is that migraines may play a role in the genesis of substance use, while substance use may play a role in the genesis of tension headaches.