Which medication is used for moderate-severe tension-type headache in office or emergency settings?

Prepare for the Pharmacology IV – Headache Therapeutics Test. Review the therapeutic approaches, tackle multiple-choice questions with explanations, and boost your test-taking confidence. Ace your exam with precision!

Multiple Choice

Which medication is used for moderate-severe tension-type headache in office or emergency settings?

Acute management of a moderate-to-severe tension-type headache in an office or emergency setting relies on rapid, effective analgesia with an NSAID. An intramuscular NSAID like ketorolac delivers quick pain relief and anti-inflammatory action, making it well-suited for acute care where oral intake may be limited or when fast relief is needed. Metoclopramide, with or without diphenhydramine, is mainly used for nausea and has limited role as a primary treatment for tension-type headaches. Sumatriptan targets migraine-specific pathways and is not effective for tension-type headaches. Therefore, intramuscular ketorolac best fits the scenario for short-term relief in an acute care setting.

Acute management of a moderate-to-severe tension-type headache in an office or emergency setting relies on rapid, effective analgesia with an NSAID. An intramuscular NSAID like ketorolac delivers quick pain relief and anti-inflammatory action, making it well-suited for acute care where oral intake may be limited or when fast relief is needed. Metoclopramide, with or without diphenhydramine, is mainly used for nausea and has limited role as a primary treatment for tension-type headaches. Sumatriptan targets migraine-specific pathways and is not effective for tension-type headaches. Therefore, intramuscular ketorolac best fits the scenario for short-term relief in an acute care setting.

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