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.
![Collage of black and white images including: an image of melatonin capsules and a male holding his head](https://media.post.rvohealth.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/melatonin-headaches-collage-1296x728-header-1024x575.jpg)
Melatonin
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
One guideline for treating cluster headaches is
Learn tips for better sleep.
Healthcare professionals aim to use treatments
Preventive treatment options for cluster headaches
- 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
- Oxygen therapy: Oxygen therapy involves breathing pure oxygen through a mask.
- Triptans: Triptans are a type of medication used to treat migraine:
- as injections under the skin, subcutaneous sumatriptan
- as a nasal spray, sumatriptan or zolmitriptan
- Prednisolone: Prednisolone is a type of corticosteroid medication.
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
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.