Antianxiety medications for tension headaches

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Antianxiety medications for tension headaches

If your tension headaches are triggered by anxiety, you may be treated with an antianxiety medication, such as buspirone (BuSpar), to reduce anxiety and the frequency of tension headaches.

Antianxiety medications relieve anxiety and nervousness and have a calming effect. In high doses, they may cause drowsiness and sleep. Buspirone reduces mild anxiety, irritability, fatigue, and pain. It is usually taken daily to relieve symptoms and is not addictive if it is used continuously.

Generally, side effects are mild and include:

Drowsiness.
Low blood pressure.
A general lack of interest in things (apathy).
Dizziness.
Forgetfulness.

Antianxiety medications other than buspirone (such as alprazolam) may be tried, but they can become addictive. Buspirone is not habit-forming and may be used for longer periods of time.

If your tension headaches are triggered by anxiety, taking buspirone or another antianxiety medication every day can decrease headache frequency and duration.

References

Other Works Consulted
Evans RW (2003). Migraine. In Saunders Manual of Neurologic Practice, chap. 11, pp. 421–430. Philadelphia: Saunders.

Credits

Author	Monica Rhodes
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
Last Updated	July 30, 2007

Last updated:	July 30, 2007
Author:	Monica Rhodes
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Colin Chalk, MD, CM, FRCPC - Neurology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman

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