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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2004 >> Sansert
        
(Message started by: Shar on May 1^st, 2004, 3:22am)

Title: Sansert
Post by Shar on May 1^st, 2004, 3:22am

My husband had his last bout with CH 2 years ago, at that time, he was given Sansert and got immediate relief. Well the CH have returned and this time we are having a problem getting the Sansert. Have they quit making the drug? He is taking the topamax now but it is not working. Is the Sansert available in another area? We are in Illinois. Thanks.

Title: Re: Sansert
Post by Lizzie2 on May 1^st, 2004, 3:27am

Hi Shar,

Yes Sansert is no longer available in the US. They have stopped manufacturing it. I don't know about other countries...have heard it mentioned by people from other places, so they may make it elsewhere still. A relative prevent of sansert is methergine. I don't know how the effectiveness compares because I never took sansert. DHE is another form of ergot drug that can be used as an abortive.

Lizzie

Title: Re: Sansert
Post by buckeyescooter on May 1^st, 2004, 11:05pm

I live in Studio City Ca., and was prescribed Sansert a few weeks ago. They filled the prescription but I never picked it up. If they still have it (I can't imagine why they wouldn't), I'd be glad to pick it up for you and send it to you. I know that's probably eeeelegal, but what ever stops the beast is my motto. Actually I don't have a "motto" but that ones as good as any. Seriously, let me know if you still can't get it in Illinois.

Title: Re: Sansert
Post by buckeyescooter on May 1^st, 2004, 11:24pm

Shar...in regards to my last post, I don't want to get anyone in trouble, especially this site, so just leave me an e-mail or private message and I will respond promptly. ;)

Title: Re: Sansert
Post by Bob_Johnson on May 2^nd, 2004, 7:53am

If you live in a commuity which has a "compounding pharmacy" (see Yellow Pages) they can probably help you re. Sansert.

Might try Ergomar. This is ergotamine in a tablet which is dissolved under your tongue. Works quickly IF you use it at the very earliest sign of an attack. Don't wait until it develops before using.

I've given up Ergomar, however, since discovering the benefit of Zyprexa.
----
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.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

Title: Re: Sansert
Post by Shar on May 3^rd, 2004, 12:14am

Thanks to all of you for your replies. Since I posted this message, I've located Sansert at a pharmacy in Canada.
If all else fails we can get it there.
Thanks again for your input. Shar