Lithium Prophylaxis for Chronic Cluster Headache

SYNOPSIS

Thirty‐two patients with chronic cluster headache, not responding to conventional therapy, were treated with lithium carbonate for 32 weeks.

Treatment was discontinued in 4 cases because of intolerable side effects. Marked and continued improvement occurred in 27 of 28 patients throughout the treatment period. Twenty‐five percent of all patients had mild or transient side effects without increased serum lithium levels. Long‐term prophylactic lithium maintenance treatment is efficacious in selected cases of chronic cluster headache.