Which medication is a cluster headache preventive therapy besides verapamil?

Which medication is a cluster headache preventive therapy besides verapamil?

• A. Lithium
• B. All of the above
• C. CGRP antagonists - Galcanezumab
• D. Corticosteroids

Answer: (B)

Cluster headache prevention relies on reducing attack frequency and severity, and there are several options beyond verapamil that can be effective in different patients. Lithium has shown preventive benefit in chronic cluster headache, though it requires regular blood monitoring for safety. Corticosteroids can rapidly suppress attacks and are often used as short-term bridging prevention during a cluster period, with caveats about long-term adverse effects. CGRP antagonists, like galcanezumab, provide a targeted preventive option and are approved for episodic cluster headache, given as monthly injections. Because each of these can be useful in the right clinical context, all of the above are valid preventive options besides verapamil.

Cluster headache prevention relies on reducing attack frequency and severity, and there are several options beyond verapamil that can be effective in different patients. Lithium has shown preventive benefit in chronic cluster headache, though it requires regular blood monitoring for safety. Corticosteroids can rapidly suppress attacks and are often used as short-term bridging prevention during a cluster period, with caveats about long-term adverse effects. CGRP antagonists, like galcanezumab, provide a targeted preventive option and are approved for episodic cluster headache, given as monthly injections. Because each of these can be useful in the right clinical context, all of the above are valid preventive options besides verapamil.