Human gut wall cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A4 is inhibited by grapefruit juice (G), whereas smoking increases CYP1A2 activity. Both enzymes contribute to verapamil biotransformation. This study was performed to quantitatively assess the effect of these factors on verapamil pharmacokinetics in steady state. Read More →
The clinical characteristics of cluster headache in women are very similar to those in men. Women develop the disorder at an earlier age of onset and experience more “migrainous symptoms” with cluster headache, especially vomiting. Both men and women have frequent photophobia and phonophobia with cluster headache attacks. These symptoms are not included in the International Headache Society cluster headache criteria, suggesting the need for possible criteria revision.Read More →
The present study has demonstrated an interaction between verapamil and grapefruit juice, which is likely due to an inhibition of intestinal metabolism resulting in increased oral bioavailability.Read More →
This paper reviews the diagnostic features of cluster headache-like disorder and describes its presentation in childhood. Case note summaries of patients with this condition are presented in the context of a brief summary of the literature. Four patients (two girls; aged 12 to 15 years) with cluster headache-like disorder were seen over a period of four years in the paediatric neurology department of Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Read More →
he authors report rapid cluster headache relief in a 43-year-old man with a 5-year history of refractory cluster headache. The patient described complete headache relief within 10 minutes of taking 10 mg of methylphenidate (Ritalin) when used to abort the onset of his headaches. Read More →
Bouts of cluster headache may be resistant to all the drugs usually effective, such as typical migraine preventing drugs, lithium, carbamazepine, valproate, and corticosteroids. Corticosteroids have been commonly used in cycles of 10–15 intravenous daily infusions of 50–100 mg prednisone. During a severe bout in a patient resistant to all treatments, we have tried high dose (500 to 1000 mg/day intravenously) methylprednisolone administration: single doses were found to be effective in blocking headache attacks for several days.Read More →
Capsazepine is a synthetic analogue of the sensory neurone excitotoxin, capsaicin. The present study shows the capsazepine acts as a competitive antagonist of capsaicin. Read More →