Melatonin Responsive Hemicrania Continua in Which Indomethacin Was Associated With Contralateral Headache. Issue 5 (21st November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hollingworth, Milo; Young, Tim M.
• Is Part Of: Headache. Volume 54:Issue 5(2014)
• Page Start: 916
• Page End: 919
• Publication Date: 2013-11-21
• Subjects: Headache -- Periodicals; Headache -- Periodicals; 616.8491
• DOI: 10.1111/head.12270
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0017-8748

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Headache is a well‐documented side effect of indomethacin in the older medical literature; however, it has rarely been commented on in indomethacin‐responsive hemicrania continua. We describe the case of a 60‐year‐old woman with left‐sided hemicrania continua whose indomethacin treatment was associated with a continuous right‐sided migraine. Her indomethacin therapy was discontinued heralding a return of her left‐sided hemicrania continua and a resolution of her right‐sided migraine. Her hemicrania continua then responded well to melatonin, with recurrence on stopping and improvement on restarting. This is the most detailed description of headache as a side effect of indomethacin in a headache patient we are aware of, and one of only a few reported cases of melatonin‐responsive hemicrania continua. We review the evidence of headache as a side effect of indomethacin in order to highlight its importance in the treatment of headache disorders. We emphasize that indomethacin headache response may be more than simply a beneficial or neutral one and might be relevant to some cases of apparently indomethacin‐resistant hemicrania continua. We hope this case may encourage clinicians to inquire about headache as a potential side effect of indomethacin.</p> </abstract>