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Multiple Choice

What is the abortive treatment for cluster headaches?

Abortive treatment for cluster headaches is about stopping a attack quickly when it starts. The most effective options are high-flow, 100% oxygen and a triptan. Inhaled oxygen at a high flow rate (about 12–15 L/min) delivered with a nonrebreather mask can relieve the pain within minutes and is favored because it’s fast and well tolerated. Triptans, especially subcutaneous sumatriptan or intranasal sumatriptan, act quickly by constricting cranial vessels and dampening trigeminal nerve activation, often providing relief within about 10–15 minutes. These approaches are preferred for aborting an ongoing attack. By comparison, NSAIDs aren’t reliably effective for cluster attacks, corticosteroids are useful for short-term prevention or bridging during a cluster period, and propranolol isn’t a standard abortive option.

Abortive treatment for cluster headaches is about stopping a attack quickly when it starts. The most effective options are high-flow, 100% oxygen and a triptan. Inhaled oxygen at a high flow rate (about 12–15 L/min) delivered with a nonrebreather mask can relieve the pain within minutes and is favored because it’s fast and well tolerated. Triptans, especially subcutaneous sumatriptan or intranasal sumatriptan, act quickly by constricting cranial vessels and dampening trigeminal nerve activation, often providing relief within about 10–15 minutes. These approaches are preferred for aborting an ongoing attack. By comparison, NSAIDs aren’t reliably effective for cluster attacks, corticosteroids are useful for short-term prevention or bridging during a cluster period, and propranolol isn’t a standard abortive option.