What is the abortive treatment for a cluster headache?

The most effective abortive treatment for cluster headaches is subcutaneous (SQ) sumatriptan and 100% oxygen. Cluster headaches are characterized by severe unilateral pain that occurs in cyclical patterns or "clusters," and they often require specific abortive treatments that can provide rapid relief.

SQ sumatriptan is a triptan medication that acts as a selective agonist at serotonin receptors, which are involved in the mechanisms of headache. By administering sumatriptan subcutaneously, the medication can reach systemic circulation more quickly than oral forms, providing rapid relief from the intense pain of cluster headaches.

Additionally, the administration of 100% oxygen is a well-known treatment that can help alleviate the headache when inhaled through a non-rebreather mask. The reason oxygen works is not entirely understood, but it is believed to cause vasoconstriction and reduced blood flow in the cranial vessels that are dilated during a headache.

Other treatments listed may have their roles in managing headaches, but they are not optimal for immediate abortive treatment of cluster headaches. For instance, oral ibuprofen, while an effective analgesic, does not act fast enough to combat the severe pain associated with cluster attacks. Intranasal zolmitriptan can