Melatonin may help prevent cluster headaches. Other treatments, such as triptans and corticosteroids, may help relieve the symptoms when they occur.

Cluster headaches are severely painful headaches that can affect a person several times a day. They may last for long periods at a time, called chronic cluster headaches, or for shorter periods of time, called episodic cluster headaches.

Although there is no cure, some treatments may help ease symptoms. Some may help prevent cluster headaches.

Melatonin is a hormone that affects sleep. People with cluster headaches may have low melatonin levels.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates melatonin as a dietary supplement in the United States. Healthcare professionals use melatonin as a treatment to help people with cluster headaches.

This article discusses melatonin for cluster headaches, how much melatonin helps, and potential side effects.

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Melatonin is a treatment for several types of headache conditions, including cluster headaches. Healthcare professionals may recommend it to help prevent the occurrence of cluster headaches, rather than treating symptoms.

Scientists have historically investigated melatonin for cluster headache prevention. These older studies included a clinical trial of 20 people with cluster headaches. They studied how taking 10 milligrams (mg) of melatonin at nighttime for 14 days affected people’s headaches. They found that melatonin significantly reduced a person’s number of cluster attacks.

Several other trials have found similar results. Healthcare professionals today widely use melatonin to help prevent cluster headaches.

However, melatonin is not generally a first-line treatment for these types of headaches. An individual should speak with their healthcare professional about treatment options.

Melatonin is a hormone the brain makes in response to darkness. It helps with sleep and the circadian rhythm, which is an individual’s 24-hour internal clock.

Scientists believe it plays other important roles in the body. However, they do not yet fully understand these roles.

Melatonin dietary supplements are artificial or made from animals or microorganisms. They may help people with certain conditions, such as jet lag and sleep disorders.

A note about sex and gender

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.

Cluster headaches are a rare but highly painful condition that affects up to 1 in every 1000 people.

Scientists do not know exactly what causes cluster headaches. However, a person may be more likely to have them if they:

  • are male
  • are over 30 years old
  • consume alcohol
  • have had brain surgery or brain trauma
  • have a family history of cluster headaches

Symptoms

People with cluster headaches typically have severe headache attacks that last from 15 minutes to 3 hours. They can occur up to 8 times a day. These headaches can start and stop suddenly and may happen at the same time of day.

Symptoms of cluster headaches include:

  • severe pain on one side of the head around or behind an eye, that may be sharp or described as explosive
  • intense pain that makes a person want to rock back and forth or move around

Other symptoms may include:

  • having red or watering eyes
  • a blocked or runny nose
  • swelling of the:
    • eyelids
    • forehead
    • face
  • drooping eyelids
  • smaller pupils

Some people may have certain triggers that cause cluster headaches, such as:

  • watching television
  • drinking alcohol
  • hot weather
  • stress
  • taking nitroglycerin, a medication to prevent chest pain
  • sexual activity
  • glare, seeing bright or intense light
  • poor sleep quality

According to a 2019 research review, taking 10 to 25 mg of melatonin daily can help to manage cluster headaches. However, it may not be effective for people with chronic cluster headaches.

When is the best time to take melatonin for a cluster headache?

According to the 2019 research mentioned above, taking melatonin in the evening or at night can help prevent cluster headaches.

Side effects of melatonin may include:

In some cases, people may have impaired glucose tolerance. This is when their blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but they do not have a diabetes diagnosis.

Scientists do not yet know for sure if melatonin has any possible long-term side effects.

Melatonin may interact with some medications and drugs. Before taking dietary supplements alongside medication, people should seek professional medical advice about their interactions.

Scientists are still studying the relationship between sleep and cluster headaches.

Not getting enough sleep, or having difficulty sleeping may trigger cluster headaches. However, scientists do not yet know exactly how poor sleep and cluster headaches are linked.

Although sleep does not help relieve cluster headaches, there may be a link between sleep quality and cluster headaches.

One guideline for treating cluster headaches is to advise people with cluster headaches on the importance of getting good sleep.

Healthcare professionals aim to use treatments to prevent cluster headaches or to relieve symptoms. They may need to try more than one treatment to find the most effective option.

Preventive treatment options for cluster headaches include:

  • Suboccipital blockades: This includes injecting anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication into nerves at the back of the head.
  • Verapamil: Verapamil is a type of medication called a calcium channel blocker. This medication is anti-hypertensive, which means it helps to lower blood pressure.
  • Glucocorticoids: These are a type of steroid medication that includes prednisone.
  • Lithium: Lithium is a type of medication known as a mood stabilizer.
  • Valproic acid: Valproic acid is a type of anticonvulsant or anti-epileptic medication.
  • Intranasal lidocaine: This is a nose spray containing a pain reliever.
  • Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS): Vagus nerve stimulation uses mild electric energy to stimulate nerves to reduce headaches.

Treatments for cluster headache symptoms include:

When to see a doctor

A person should seek professional medical advice if they have headaches that:

  • are severe
  • persistent
  • begin quickly
  • happen often

They should also do so if they have concerning symptoms.

A person with a sudden severe headache should seek urgent emergency medical attention immediately. It may be a symptom or sign of some serious or life threatening conditions, such as stroke or aneurysm.

Headache and migraine resources

To discover more evidence-based information and resources for headaches and migraine, visit our dedicated hub.

Melatonin is a treatment healthcare professionals use to help prevent cluster headaches.

It is a dietary supplement in the United States and may cause several side effects. Its long-term side effects are still unknown.

Scientists who investigated using melatonin to help cluster headaches found it may help prevent headaches when taken in the evening. However, it may not be effective if a person has chronic cluster headaches.

Healthcare professionals can use other treatments to treat or help manage cluster headache symptoms.

People should seek professional medical advice for the treatment of cluster headaches, including using melatonin.

People with sudden severe headaches should seek immediate medical attention.