Table 11.

Drugs for preventive pediatric headache treatment.

Drug	Dose	Maximum Dose	Notes
AMITRIPTYLINE (PLUS CBT)	Initial dose: 0.25–0.50 mg/kg/day To be increased in the case of ineffectiveness Maintenance: 1 mg/kg/day	75 mg/day	Side effects: suicidal ideation. For patients aged 12 years and older with depression or anxiety disorders.
TOPIRAMATE	Initial dose: 1–2 mg/kg/day (in younger than 12 years); 2.5 mg/kg/day (in aged 12 years and olders) for a week	100 mg/day	Side effects: teratogenicity (caution in women of childbearing age).
VALPROATE	Initial dose: 10–15 mg/kg/day in 2 doses	30 mg/kg/day	Side effects: teratogenicity (caution in women of childbearing age).
CINNARIZINE	1.5 mg/kg/day if weight <30 kg 50 mg/day if weight >30 kg		Contraindicated in patients younger than 12 years.
FLUNARIZINE	3–5 mg/day in a single daily dose	10 mg/day	Side effects: weight gain, sedation. Contraindicated in patients younger than 12 years.
NIMODIPINE	10–20 mg/day in 3 doses	150 mg/day	Side effects: mild gastrointestinal disturbances. Contraindicated in patients younger than 12 years.
PROPRANOLOL	Initial dose: 1 mg/kg/day in 3 doses Maintenance: 20–40 mg/day in 3 doses	3 mg/kg/day	Use with caution in asthmatic, depressed or diabetic patients.

CBT: cognitive-behavioural therapy.