If you suffer from painful cluster headaches then you will have been searching for a cure for some time now. Cluster headache medication is hard to come by and generally regular headache medication is prescribed such as over the counter paracetamol and aspirin. But as you will know all too well, those medications rarely work on powerful headaches.

A cluster headache can affect anyone but most commonly it strikes males who drink alcohol regularly and also smoke. The pain of a cluster headache is usually over one eye and they can recur over a period of several weeks. Most people have cluster headaches for years without having them diagnosed or without even visiting a doctor. They can easily be confused with a severe headache or a migraine.

Cluster headaches are benign (harmless) but due to the extreme pain of the headaches it can often be an emergency to get the patient pain relief. Cluster headaches are not overly common and as such some nursing assistants are not familiar with the symptoms and may confuse them for something else. Because over the counter medications have very little effect on cluster headaches, other cluster headache medications must be sought.

Specific medications include either abortive or prophylactics (preventatives). Preventative cluster headache medication treatments are best started at the beginning of a new cluster cycle, whereas abortive medication the aim is to stop the headache from reaching the peak of its pain whilst also reducing the duration of the headache. Patient reaction to Prophylactic treatments will vary.

Short term treatment can include steroids but these can not be used for long term relief. Beta blockers have also been trialled by some doctors as treatment.

A fast inhalation of oxygen with a non-rebreathing mask during the onset of a headache has proved positive in some patients. Some patients have seen a halt in a headache attack within just 5 or 10 minutes of the oxygen intake.

Other cluster headache treatment options include:
- Muscle relaxants
- Magnesium supplements
- Melatonin
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

As you can see there are many options when it comes to cluster headache medication so speak to your doctor to find out what he or she recommends for your situation.