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Table 17 Drugs used in prophylaxis of persistent idiopathic facial pain

From: Aids to management of headache disorders in primary care (2nd edition)

First line:

 • Amitriptyline or nortriptyline, 10–100 mg at night

• Intolerance is reduced by starting at a low dose (10 mg) and incrementing by 10–25 mg every 1–2 weeks;

• Nortriptyline has fewer anticholinergic side-effects but less good evidence of efficacy

Second line (either as monotherapy or as add-on medication):

 • Gabapentin 600–3600 mg daily

 • Pregabalin 150–600 mg daily