How should we treat chronic daily headache when conservative measures fail?

Abstract

For the purposes of this review, we considered conservative measures to include such therapies as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), physical therapy, and acetaminophen with codeine. Amitriptyline is the best-supported option for the treatment of chronic daily headaches for those patients who have not been treated by conservative measures (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A, based on a metaanalysis of randomized controlled trials [RCTs]). For patients who overuse symptomatic headache medications, medication withdrawal is effective (SOR: B, based on a systematic review of cohort and case-control studies). Additional therapies include other tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and prophylactic treatments for migraine (SOR: B).