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Table 2 Classification of ADR headaches according to the type of adverse reaction (drug-induced headaches reported in ICHD-II have not been included when there are no elements proving or suggesting the causal link between drug and headache)

From: Focus on headache as an adverse reaction to drugs

Headache type

Drugs implied

1. Headache as type-A adverse drug reaction: predictable, related to the principal pharmacological action of the drugs, and dose-dependent

Nitric oxide (NO) donors (code 8.1.1), Phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors (code 8.1.2), Calcitonin gene-related peptide-CGRP (code 8.1.9), Cocaine (code 8.1.6), Ethanol (code 8.1.4), Cannabis (code 8.1.7), Histamine (code 8.1.8), Calcium-channel blockers (Table 1 in the appendix), Antiarrhytmics, β-Adrenergic blockers, Ace inhibitors, Sympathomimetics (code 10.3.6), Antagonists of the at-1 receptors for Angiotensin II, Statins, α2-Adrenergic agonist (Clonidine), α1-Adrenergic blockers (Doxazosin and Prazosin), Amiloride, Methylxanthines, β2-Adrenergic agonists, Agents for erectile dysfunction, Ergotamine (Table 1 in the appendix), Nicotine (code 8.1.10), Amphetamine (code 10.3.6)

2. Headache as type-B adverse drug reaction: idiosyncratic, unpredictable, and related to aseptic meningitis (code 7.3.2)

Amoxicillin, Carbamazepine, Diclofenac, Famotidine, Ibuprofen, Immune globulin, Infliximab, Ketorolac, Leflunomide, Levamisole, Metronidazole, Naproxen, Ranitidine, Rofecoxib, Sulfamethoxazole, Sulfasalazine, Sulindac, Tolmetin, Trimethoprim, Valacyclovir

3. Headache as type-C adverse drug reaction: after chronic medication, related to raised intracranial pressure (code 8.3 and code 7.1.2)

Amiodarone, Anabolic steroids, Contraceptives Combination, Ciprofloxacin, Danazol, Corticosteroids, Gentamicin, Lithium Carbonate, Nalidixic Acid, Nitrofurantoin, Ofloxacin, Retinoic Acid, Tetracycline, Thyroid hormone replacement, Vitamin A

4. Headache as type-E adverse drug reaction: related to substance withdrawal

Caffeine-withdrawal headache (code 8.4.1), Opioid-withdrawal headache (code 8.4.2), estrogen-withdrawal headache (code 8.4.3), Ergotamine-withdrawal headache, Cocaine-withdrawal headache, Methysergide-withdrawal headache

  1. * The codes reported in ICHD-II are in brackets
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The Journal of Headache and Pain

ISSN: 1129-2377

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