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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> Zyprexa (olanzapine) to abort clusters
        
(Message started by: Bob_Johnson on Aug 5^th, 2002, 1:31pm)

Title: Zyprexa (olanzapine) to abort clusters
Post by Bob_Johnson on Aug 5^th, 2002, 1:31pm

I posted this message on 9/30/01:
Posted by Bob Johnson (64.92.74.108) on September 30, 2001 at 15:29:06:

1: Headache 2001 Sep;41(8):813-6

Olanzapine as an Abortive Agent for Cluster Headache.

Rozen TD.

Department of Neurology, Jefferson Headache Center/Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate olanzapine as a cluster headache abortive agent in an open-label trial. BACKGROUND: Cluster headache is the most painful headache syndrome known. There are very few recognized abortive therapies for cluster headache and fewer for patients who have contraindications to vasoconstrictive drugs. METHODS: Olanzapine was given as an abortive agent to five patients with cluster headache in an open-label trial. The initial olanzapine dose was 5 mg, and the dose was increased to 10 mg if there was no pain relief. The dosage was decreased to 2.5 mg if the 5-mg dose was effective but caused adverse effects. To be included in the study, each patient had to treat at least two attacks with either an effective dose or the highest tolerated dose. RESULTS: Five patients completed the investigation (four men, one woman; four with chronic cluster, one with episodic cluster). Olanzapine reduced cluster pain by at least 80% in four of five patients, and two patients became headache-free after taking the drug. Olanzapine typically alleviated pain within 20 minutes after oral dosing and treatment response was consistent across multiple treated attacks. The only adverse event was sleepiness. CONCLUSIONS: Olanzapine appears to be a good abortive agent for cluster headache. It alleviates pain quickly and has a consistent response across multiple treated attacks. It appears to work in both episodic and chronic cluster headache.

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Olanzapine has a brand name of "Zyprexa" and is a antipsychotic. Don't be put off by this primary usage. Several of the drugs used to treat CH are cross over applications, that is, drugs approved by the FDA for one purpose which are found to be effective with unrelated conditions--BJ.
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After a 20-months period without attacks, I started again a couple of weeks ago. Since my old stand-by, Ergomar, is off the market (see a separate message), I dug around for this article.

I've tried Zyprexa twice and have found it as effective as Ergomar--perhaps a bit faster acting--using the 5mg dose. This is too little experience to say it's a replacement for Ergomar but would suggest you give it a try.

Title: Re: Zyprexa (olanzapine) to abort clusters
Post by ChristineL on Aug 5^th, 2002, 1:52pm

Bob,

Any side effects worth mentioning?

Chris

Title: Re: Zyprexa (olanzapine) to abort clusters
Post by Bob_Johnson on Aug 5^th, 2002, 2:48pm

No side effects for me although the article said some folks got sleepy. But after an attack that's a common reaction even without meds--and I find welcome.

But no, for me, at 5mg dose.

Title: Re: Zyprexa (olanzapine) to abort clusters
Post by ChristineL on Aug 5^th, 2002, 6:38pm

Thanks Bob...........I printed out your post and will bring it to my Dr. and will also keep a copy in my files. After finding out my previous Dr. no longer has my history I am keeping copies of everything!!!!

Chris