[mouse1]

I had a head injury and post concussion syndrome since November and with this headaches which have been treated well with Imigran.

Recently I increased a dose of Cymbalta from 30mg to 60mg and now I don't get headaches at all.

I know the Cymbalta helps because my headaches reduced considerably when I started taking it in February at 30mg. I briefly stopped taking it and had a dull constant headache from the moment I woke up to the time I went to bed.

Has anyone else had success with this particular SNRI?

[Dr. Smith]

There is information on the web about doctors prescribing SNRIs (Effexor/venlafaxine in particular, but Cymbalta/duloxetine as well) off-label for migraine prophylaxis, so the short answer to your question is YES. They appear to be more effective in people with Depression or Anxiety disorders.

SNRIs for migraine

There is some concern about taking SNRIs (or SSRIs) and triptans (Imigran is a triptan -- sumatriptan) concurrently -- possibly resulting in a potentially life-threatening condition called Serotonin Syndrome. Cymbalta and Imigran/Imitrex/sumatriptan are mentioned specifically.

Public Health Advisory - Combined Use of 5-Hydroxytryptamine Receptor Agonists (Triptans), Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) or Selective Serotonin/Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) May Result in Life-threatening Serotonin Syndrome

Shortly after this FDA Advisory was released, a mitigating article was published in Neurology Today and reprinted in ENT Today:

FDA Advisory on Triptans and SSRI/SNRIs Will Not Affect Migraine Treatment, Say Experts

Doc

[mouse1]

Thanks, I don't have depression but do notice that my mood has improved whilst on Cymbalta.

I never had headache often, and never a migraine until I banged my head, but I find Cymbalta is relieving headaches completely since increasing the dose.

Now I am on 60mg the way things are going I do not feel I will need Imigran again, but I have taken the two together without difficulty and under medical advice previously..