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Can triptans safely be used for airplane headache?

Neurological Sciences volume 32, pages 1165–1169 (2011)Cite this article

Abstract

A few cases of airplane headache (AH) have been reported in the literature. Treatment strategies of AHs are also controversial. We followed-up five patients with AH. They were symptom-free during the daytime. Their physical, neurological, and ear-nose-throat examinations were all normal. Blood chemistries, cerebral magnetic resonance imaging, cerebral magnetic resonance imaging angiography, and paranasal sinus tomography studies of the patients were also normal. We preferred triptans because of the possible effect on the mechanism of AH. Patients were recommended to use single-dose of their drugs half an hour prior to flights. All of the patients had a good response to single dose triptan treatment and became headache-free during flights. This is the first study which puts forward the usefulness of the triptans as a safe treatment choice for airplane AH.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Mareşal Çakmak Military Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey

    H. İlker İpekdal

  2. Department of Neurology, Gülhane Military Medical Faculty, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey

    Ömer Karadaş, Oğuzhan Öz & Ümit H. Ulaş

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  1. H. İlker İpekdal
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  2. Ömer Karadaş
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  3. Oğuzhan Öz
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  4. Ümit H. Ulaş
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Correspondence to H. İlker İpekdal.

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İpekdal, H.İ., Karadaş, Ö., Öz, O. et al. Can triptans safely be used for airplane headache?. Neurol Sci 32, 1165–1169 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-011-0603-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-011-0603-7

Keywords

  • Airplane headache
  • Triptan treatment