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Page: << Prev | 1 | 2 The researchers randomly assigned the participants to be treated with a placebo, 5 milligrams of the nasal spray, or 10 milligrams when their headaches occurred. They were then checked several times over a half-hour period. If the headaches didn't get better after that time, the patients were allowed to try another treatment.
The research was funded by AstraZeneca, manufacturer of the nasal spray. The findings appear in the November issue of Archives of Neurology.
After a half hour, patients who took the 10-milligram dose reported feeling better 61 percent of the time, compared to 42 percent and 23 percent of those who took the smaller dose and the placebo, respectively.
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Those who took the 10-miligram dose were pain-free at a half hour about 50 percent of the time, compared to 28 percent and 16 percent of those who took the smaller dose and the placebo, respectively.
According to the study, one patient dropped out after suffering from shortness of breath, vomiting and joint pain.
Goadsby said the nasal spray is easy to use, and publicity about the research should both raise the profile of cluster headaches -- which often aren't diagnosed -- and help improve treatment.
Silberstein, who has received funding from AstraZeneca and is familiar with the study findings, agreed that the nasal spray is now a good treatment for cluster headaches. "It's a way of handling the attack until it gets under control with preventive medication," he said.
According to Silberstein, the drug appears to work by targeting nerves that carry pain and turning them off.
More information
Learn more about cluster headaches from the American Academy of Family Physicians (familydoctor.org ).
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