Posted by NicholasD (209.83.94.160) on February 29, 2000 at 14:25:59:
From:
http://www.pslgroup.com/dg950907.htm
"Imitrex Tablets are indicated for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura, but not for use in the management of basilar or hemiplegic migraine or """cluster headache"""". Imitrex should only be used where a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established.
Imitrex Tablets should not be taken by patients receiving treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or used within two weeks of stopping therapy with MAOIs. Imitrex should not be used in patients with ischemic heart disease, symptoms or signs consistent with ischemic heart disease, or Prinzmetal's angina because of rare reports of coronary vasospasm. Patients with risk factors for heart disease (such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, smoking, strong family history of heart disease, or are postmenopausal or a male over 40) should be evaluated by a physician to determine if Imitrex is appropriate therapy.
Imitrex is contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled hypertension because it can give rise to increases in blood pressure (usually small). Imitrex should not be used within 24 hours of administration of ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medicines, like dihydroergotamine or methysergide. Imitrex should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus."
My own experiences, my neuro, whom I have great respect for, Dr. Sorensen of the Marshfield Clinic, told me that Imitrex was specifically developed for migraines, but some cluster suffers may get some benefit, not me, that bit on nasil discomfort in me caused my nostrils on my right side to swell like crazy and produced a cluster that O2 or anything would not break, this headache lasted 18 hours of severe pain, note also in males over 40 the use of this medication is in question, I was well over 40, not to give up easily, I had two more injections with the same drastic results, glad some of you love this stuff, but wonder if you will explain why the manufacturer of this stuff does not recommend it for clusters?