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. 2014 Aug 28;15(1):47. doi: 10.1186/1129-2377-15-47

Table 2.

European Headache Federation proposed criteria for refractory chronic migraine

EHF proposed criteria for refractory chronic migraine  
A. ICHD-III β chronic migraine
 
No medication overuse
 
B. Prophylactic migraine medications in adequate dosages used for at least 3 months each.
 
C. Contraindications or No effect of the following preventive medication with at least 3 drugs from the following classes:
 
• Beta blockers
 
propranolol up to 240 mg/d
 
metoprolol up to200mg
 
atenolol up to100mg
 
bisoprolol up to10mg
 
• Anticonvulsants
 
Valproate acid up to 1,5 g/d
 
Topiramate up to 200 mg/d
 
• Tricyclics
 
amytriptyline up to 150 mg/d
 
• Others
 
Flunarizine up to 10 mg/d
 
Cardesartan 16 mg/d
 
• OnabotulinumtoxinA
 
155 - 195 U according to the PREEMPT protocol
 
D. Adequate treatment of psychiatric or other comorbidities by multidisciplinary team, if available.
 
Notes:
 
- Secondary Headache must be excluded
 
- MRI provides no underlying cause
 
- Laboratory and CSF analyses within normal range, including CSF pressure
 
- Meaning of efficacy: reduction on HA days >50%
 
- Detoxification procedure (in/out hospital setting): intravenous, oral and advice only are all accepted.