Table 12 Drugs for the preventive treatment of tension-type headache with a level of recommendation III
From: Italian guidelines for primary headaches: 2012 revised version
Drug | Dosage (mg) | Level of evidence | Scientific strength of evidence | Clinical effectiveness | Adverse events |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Antidepressants | |||||
Desipramine | 75 | C | + | ++ | Frequent, not severe |
Fluoxetine | 20 | C | + | ++ | Frequent, not severe |
Paroxetine | 20–30 | B | + | + | Frequent, not severe |
Nefazodone | 100–450 | C | ++ | ++ | Frequent, not severe |
Ritanserin | 10 | B | + | + | Frequent, not severe |
Sulpiride | 30 | B | + | ++ | Frequent, not severe |
Muscle relaxants | |||||
Cyclobenzaprine oral | 10 | B | ++ | ++ | Frequent, not severe |
Benzodiazepines | |||||
Alprazolam oral | 0.75 | B | + | + | Occasional, not severe |
Other drugs | |||||
Buspirone | 30 | C | + | + | Frequent, not severe |
L-5-hydroxytryptophan oral | 300 | B | + | + | Occasional, not severe |