Management of headaches - NICE Pathways
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Management of headaches NICE Pathways bring together everything NICE says on a topic in an interactive flowchart. NICE Pathways are interactive and designed to be used online. They are updated regularly as new NICE guidance is published. To view the latest version of this NICE Pathway see: http://pathways.nice.org.uk/pathways/headaches NICE Pathway last updated: 17 April 2018 This document contains a single flowchart and uses numbering to link the boxes to the associated recommendations. Headaches Page 1 of 13 © NICE 2018. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights.
Management of headaches NICE Pathways Headaches Page 2 of 13 © NICE 2018. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights.
Management of headaches NICE Pathways
1 Person diagnosed with headache disorder
No additional information
2 Information and support for people with headache disorders
Include the following in discussions with the person with a headache disorder:
a positive diagnosis, including an explanation of the diagnosis and reassurance that other
pathology has been excluded and
the options for management and
recognition that headache is a valid medical disorder that can have a significant impact on
the person and their family or carers.
Give the person written and oral information about headache disorders, including information
about support organisations.
Explain the risk of medication overuse headache to people who are using acute treatments for
their headache disorder.
NICE has written information for the public explaining its guidance on headaches.
Quality standards
The following quality statement is relevant to this part of the interactive flowchart.
2. Preventing medication overuse headache
3 All headache disorders
Do not refer people diagnosed with tension-type headache, migraine, cluster headache or
medication overuse headache for neuroimaging solely for reassurance.
Consider using a headache diary:
to record the frequency, duration and severity of headaches
to monitor the effectiveness of headache interventions
as a basis for discussion with the person about their headache disorder and its impact.
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© NICE 2018. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights.Management of headaches NICE Pathways
Consider further investigations and/or referral if a person diagnosed with a headache disorder
develops any of the following features.
worsening headache with fever
sudden-onset headache reaching maximum intensity within 5 minutes
new-onset neurological deficit
new-onset cognitive dysfunction
change in personality
impaired level of consciousness
recent (typically within the past 3 months) head trauma
headache triggered by cough, valsalva (trying to breathe out with nose and mouth blocked)
or sneeze
headache triggered by exercise
orthostatic headache (headache that changes with posture)
symptoms suggestive of giant cell arteritis
symptoms and signs of acute narrow-angle glaucoma
a substantial change in the characteristics of their headache.
For information on referral for suspected tumours of the brain or central nervous system see
what NICE says on suspected cancer recognition and referral.
Consider further investigations and/or referral for people who present with new-onset headache
and any of the following.
compromised immunity, caused, for example, by HIV or immunosuppressive drugs
age under 20 years and a history of malignancy
a history of malignancy known to metastasise to the brain
vomiting without other obvious cause.
Quality standards
The following quality statement is relevant to this part of the interactive flowchart.
3. Imaging
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© NICE 2018. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights.Management of headaches NICE Pathways
4 Cluster headache
Acute treatment
Discuss the need for neuroimaging for people with a first bout of cluster headache with a GP
with a special interest in headache or a neurologist.
Offer oxygen and/or a subcutaneous1 or nasal triptan2 for the acute treatment of cluster
headache.
When using oxygen for the acute treatment of cluster headache:
use 100% oxygen at a flow rate of at least 12 litres per minute with a non-rebreathing mask
and a reservoir bag and
arrange provision of home and ambulatory oxygen.
When using a subcutaneous or nasal triptan, ensure the person is offered an adequate supply
of triptans calculated according to their history of cluster bouts, based on the manufacturer's
maximum daily dose.
Do not offer paracetamol, NSAIDs, opioids, ergots or oral triptans for the acute treatment of
cluster headache.
Prophylactic treatment
Consider verapamil3 for prophylactic treatment during a bout of cluster headache. If unfamiliar
with its use for cluster headache, seek specialist advice before starting verapamil, including
advice on electrocardiogram monitoring.
Seek specialist advice for cluster headache that does not respond to verapamil.
Seek specialist advice if treatment for cluster headache is needed during pregnancy.
Interventional procedures
NICE has published guidance on the following procedures with special arrangements for
clinical governance, consent and audit or research:
transcutaneous stimulation of the cervical branch of the vagus nerve for cluster headache
and migraine
implantation of a sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation device for chronic cluster headache
Headaches Page 5 of 13
© NICE 2018. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights.1
At the time of publication (November 2015), subcutaneous triptans did not have a UK marketing authorisation for
this indication in people aged under 18 years. The prescriber should follow relevant professional guidance, taking
full responsibility for the decision. The patient (or their parent or carer) should provide informed consent, which
should be documented. See the General Medical Council's Good practice in prescribing medicines − guidance for
doctors and the prescribing advice provided by the Joint Standing Committee on Medicines (a joint committee of
the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group) for further
information.
2
At the time of publication (November 2015), nasal triptans did not have a UK marketing authorisation for this
indication. The prescriber should follow relevant professional guidance, taking full responsibility for the decision.
The patient (or their parent or carer) should provide informed consent, which should be documented. See the
General Medical Council's Good practice in prescribing medicines − guidance for doctors and the prescribing
advice provided by the Joint Standing Committee on Medicines (a joint committee of the Royal College of
Paediatrics and Child Health and the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group) for further information.
3
At the time of publication (November 2015), verapamil did not have a UK marketing authorisation for this
indication. The prescriber should follow relevant professional guidance, taking full responsibility for the decision.
The patient (or their parent or carer) should provide informed consent, which should be documented. See the
General Medical Council's Good practice in prescribing medicines − guidance for doctors and the prescribing
advice provided by the Joint Standing Committee on Medicines (a joint committee of the Royal College of
Paediatrics and Child Health and the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group) for further information.
Headaches Page 6 of 13
© NICE 2018. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights.Management of headaches NICE Pathways
deep brain stimulation for intractable trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias.
5 Giant cell arteritis
NICE has published a clinical knowledge summary on giant cell arteritis. This practical resource
is for primary care professionals (it is not formal NICE guidance).
Tocilizumab
The following recommendations are from NICE technology appraisal guidance on tocilizumab
for treating giant cell arteritis.
Tocilizumab, when used with a tapering course of glucocorticoids (and when used alone after
glucocorticoids), is recommended as an option for treating giant cell arteritis in adults, only if:
they have relapsing or refractory disease
they have not already had tocilizumab
it is stopped after 1 year of uninterrupted treatment at most and
the company provides it with the discount agreed in the patient access scheme.
This recommendation is not intended to affect treatment with tocilizumab that was started in the
NHS before this guidance was published. People having treatment outside this recommendation
may continue without change to the funding arrangements in place for them before this
guidance was published, until they and their NHS clinician consider it appropriate to stop.
See why we made the recommendations on tocilizumab [See page 10].
NICE has written information for the public on tocilizumab.
6 Medication overuse headache
Explain to people with medication overuse headache that it is treated by withdrawing overused
medication.
Advise people to stop taking all overused acute headache medications for at least 1 month and
to stop abruptly rather than gradually.
Headaches Page 7 of 13
© NICE 2018. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights.Management of headaches NICE Pathways Advise people that headache symptoms are likely to get worse in the short term before they improve and that there may be associated withdrawal symptoms, and provide them with close follow-up and support according to their needs. Consider prophylactic treatment for the underlying primary headache disorder in addition to withdrawal of overused medication for people with medication overuse headache. Do not routinely offer inpatient withdrawal for medication overuse headache. Consider specialist referral and/or inpatient withdrawal of overused medication for people who are using strong opioids, or have relevant comorbidities, or in whom previous repeated attempts at withdrawal of overused medication have been unsuccessful. Review the diagnosis of medication overuse headache and further management 4–8 weeks after the start of withdrawal of overused medication. 7 Migraine (with or without aura) See Headaches / Management of migraine (with or without aura) 8 Tension-type headache Acute treatment Consider aspirin1, paracetamol or an NSAID for the acute treatment of tension-type headache, taking into account the person's preference, comorbidities and risk of adverse events. Do not offer opioids for the acute treatment of tension-type headache. Prophylactic treatment Consider a course of up to 10 sessions of acupuncture over 5–8 weeks for the prophylactic treatment of chronic tension-type headache. 9 See what NICE says on medicines optimisation See Medicines optimisation Headaches Page 8 of 13 © NICE 2018. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights.
1
Because of an association with Reye's syndrome, preparations containing aspirin should not be offered to people
aged under 16 years.
Headaches Page 9 of 13
© NICE 2018. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights.Management of headaches NICE Pathways Tocilizumab Giant cell arteritis is usually treated with a high dose of glucocorticoids, which is gradually reduced over time. High doses of glucocorticoids may cause a number of problems, including skin problems, weight gain, diabetes and osteoporosis. Clinical trial results show that after having tocilizumab plus a tapering course of glucocorticoids for 1 year, more people stay in remission and need lower doses of glucocorticoids compared with people having glucocorticoids alone. In the full population, the most plausible cost-effectiveness estimates were above the range normally considered to be a cost-effective use of NHS resource, even when tocilizumab is used for only 1 year. For the subgroup of people with relapsing or refractory disease, using the committee's preferred assumptions (including that tocilizumab is given for 1 year at most), the most likely cost-effectiveness estimate compared with glucocorticoids alone is £24,977 per quality-adjusted life year gained. This is within the range normally considered to be a cost- effective use of NHS resources, so tocilizumab is recommended. For more information see the committee discussion in the NICE technology appraisal guidance on tocilizumab for treating giant cell arteritis. Glossary Acute narrow-angle glaucoma an uncommon eye condition that results from blockage of the drainage of fluid from the eye. Symptoms of acute glaucoma may include headache with a painful red eye and misty vision or haloes, and in some cases nausea. Acute glaucoma may be differentiated from cluster headache by the presence of a semi-dilated pupil compared with the presence of a constricted pupil in cluster headache. Bout of cluster headache the duration over which recurrent cluster headaches occur, usually lasting weeks or months; headaches occur from 1 every other day to 8 times per day Headaches Page 10 of 13 © NICE 2018. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights.
Management of headaches NICE Pathways Giant cell arteritis also known as temporal arteritis, giant cell arteritis is characterised by the inflammation of the walls of medium and large arteries; branches of the carotid artery and the ophthalmic artery are preferentially involved, giving rise to symptoms of headache, visual disturbances and jaw claudication NSAID non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug Positive diagnosis a diagnosis based on the typical clinical picture that does not require any further investigations to exclude alternative explanations for a patient's symptoms Young people people aged 12 to 17 years Sources Headaches in over 12s: diagnosis and management (2012 updated 2015) NICE guideline CG150 Tocilizumab for treating giant cell arteritis (2018) NICE technology appraisal guidance 518 Your responsibility Guidelines The recommendations in this guideline represent the view of NICE, arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, professionals and practitioners are expected to take this guideline fully into account, alongside the individual needs, preferences and values of their patients or the people using their service. It is not mandatory to apply the recommendations, and the guideline does not override the responsibility Headaches Page 11 of 13 © NICE 2018. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights.
Management of headaches NICE Pathways to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual, in consultation with them and their families and carers or guardian. Local commissioners and providers of healthcare have a responsibility to enable the guideline to be applied when individual professionals and people using services wish to use it. They should do so in the context of local and national priorities for funding and developing services, and in light of their duties to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, to advance equality of opportunity and to reduce health inequalities. Nothing in this guideline should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with complying with those duties. Commissioners and providers have a responsibility to promote an environmentally sustainable health and care system and should assess and reduce the environmental impact of implementing NICE recommendations wherever possible. Technology appraisals The recommendations in this interactive flowchart represent the view of NICE, arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, health professionals are expected to take these recommendations fully into account, alongside the individual needs, preferences and values of their patients. The application of the recommendations in this interactive flowchart is at the discretion of health professionals and their individual patients and do not override the responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or their carer or guardian. Commissioners and/or providers have a responsibility to provide the funding required to enable the recommendations to be applied when individual health professionals and their patients wish to use it, in accordance with the NHS Constitution. They should do so in light of their duties to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, to advance equality of opportunity and to reduce health inequalities. Commissioners and providers have a responsibility to promote an environmentally sustainable health and care system and should assess and reduce the environmental impact of implementing NICE recommendations wherever possible. Headaches Page 12 of 13 © NICE 2018. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights.
Management of headaches NICE Pathways Medical technologies guidance, diagnostics guidance and interventional procedures guidance The recommendations in this interactive flowchart represent the view of NICE, arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, healthcare professionals are expected to take these recommendations fully into account. However, the interactive flowchart does not override the individual responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer. Commissioners and/or providers have a responsibility to implement the recommendations, in their local context, in light of their duties to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations. Nothing in this interactive flowchart should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with compliance with those duties. Commissioners and providers have a responsibility to promote an environmentally sustainable health and care system and should assess and reduce the environmental impact of implementing NICE recommendations wherever possible. Headaches Page 13 of 13 © NICE 2018. All rights reserved. Subject to Notice of rights.
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