Headache

Migraine Headache Management in Children

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Migraine Headache Management in Children, Migraine Prophylaxis in Children

  • See Also
  1. Headaches in Children
  2. Migraine Headache
  3. Migraine Headache Management
  4. Migraine Management Clinic Schedule
  5. Migraine Abortive Management
  6. Migraine Prophylaxis
  7. Migraine Headache Care in the Emergency Department
  • General
  1. See Headache General Measures
  2. Keep Headache diary
  3. Keep medication available at all times (school)
  4. Use adequate dosages
  5. Decrease provocative factors
    1. Get adequate sleep
    2. Avoid skipping meals
    3. Decrease Caffeine intake (very important)
    4. Decrease Migraine Headache Triggers
    5. Decrease Tyramine-Vasoactive Amines
  • Management
  • First-Line Medications (only FDA approved medications for Headache under age 12 years)
  1. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) 15 mg/kg q6 hours
  2. Ibuprofen (Motrin) 10 mg/kg q6 hours
  3. Naproxen Sodium (Anaprox) 5 mg/kg twice daily
  • Management
  • Second-Line Medications
  1. Appear to be safe and effective for age 6 and over
    1. However onset of Migraine Headaches at age 6 years old is unusual
    2. Consult pediatric neurology for suspected Migraine Headaches in younger children (age 6-12 years)
    3. Consider combining Triptan with Acetaminophen or NSAID (see first-line medications as above)
  2. Triptans (Adjust dose for weight)
    1. Sumatriptan (Imitrex, FDA approved for age 12 years and older, intranasal costs $50/dose in 2019)
      1. Imitrex intranasal is not FDA approved for age 12, but recommended for this age by AAN
      2. Imitrex nasal spray 10 mg (weight 44-85 pounds)
      3. Imitrex nasal spray 20 mg (weight >85 pounds)
    2. Almotriptan (Axert, FDA approved for age 12 years and older)
      1. Dose: 6.25 to 12.5 mg orally and may repeat in 2 hours (max total 25 mg/day)
    3. Rizatriptan (Maxalt, FDA approved for age 6 years and older, least expensive: $2/pill in 2019)
      1. Weight <40 kg: 5 mg orally (do not use if on Propranolol)
      2. Weight >40 kg: 10 mg orally (5 mg if on Propranolol)
    4. Zolmitriptan (Zomig, FDA approved for age 12 years and older, costs $80/dose in 2019)
      1. Intranasal: 2.5 mg (1 spray) in one nostril (maximum dose: 5 mg, may repeat in 2 hours)
  1. Precautions: Dystonic Reaction
    1. Prepare patients and parents for the risk of Dystonic Reactions (rare, but may occur esp. in teens)
    2. Treat with Diphenhydramine 0.1 mg/kg up to 25 to 50 mg
  2. Agents
    1. Prochlorperazine (Compazine) 0.5 mg/kg/dose
    2. Promethazine (Phenergan) 0.25 to 0.5 mg/kg/dose q8 hours
    3. Metoclopramide (Reglan) 1-2 mg/kg up to 10 mg q4 hours
  • Management
  • Prophylaxis (for frequent or disabling Headache)
  1. See Migraine Prophylaxis
  2. Background
    1. Migraine Prophylaxis appears to be less effective in children than in adults
      1. Guidelines recommend lifestyle and Behavior Modification
      2. May still trial a 2-3 month prophylactic medication if other measures are failing
      3. Oskoui (2019) Neurology 93(11):500-9 +PMID:31413170 [PubMed]
  3. Indications
    1. Migraine Headaches 4 or more per month or
    2. Migraine Headaches 1 or more per month that is severe and incapacitating
  4. Age over 12 years old
    1. See Migraine Prophylaxis
  5. Age under 10 to 12 years old
    1. First Line
      1. Propranolol (Inderal)
        1. Only agent proven effective in children
        2. Wasiewski (2001) J Child Neurol 16:71-8 [PubMed]
    2. Second Line
      1. Topamax (Topiramate)
        1. FDA approved in 2014 for age over 12 years old
    3. Third Line
      1. Amitriptyline (Elavil) up to 1 mg/kg/day
      2. Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
      3. Valproic Acid (Depakene)
      4. Keppra (Levetiracetam)
    4. Other options that may have benefit
      1. Cyproheptadine (Periactin) 2 to 8 mg orally at bedtime
        1. Less tolerated in adolescents due to stimulated appetite and weight gain
      2. Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 100 to 400 mg/day
      3. Magnesium
      4. Melatonin
  • References
  1. (2020) Presc Lett 27(4): 21
  2. Lewis (2002) Am Fam Physician 65(4):625-32 [PubMed]
  3. Mayans (2018) Am Fam Physician 97(4): 243-51 [PubMed]
  4. Winner (1997) Postgrad Med 101(5):81-90 [PubMed]