There is no cure for cluster headaches, but drugs, such as sumatriptan, and other treatments, including oxygen therapy, can help reduce the incidence and severity of attacks. Treatment aims to relieve some of the symptoms, shorten the periods of headaches, and reduce their frequency. Over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, are not effective, because the pain starts and finishes so rapidly that by the time the medication starts to work, the headache has probably gone.

1. Fast-acting treatments
Inhaling 100-percent oxygen: Breathing in oxygen through a mask at 7 to 10 liters per minute may bring significant relief within 15 minutes. It is not always practical to have an oxygen cylinder and regulator close at hand, but some small units are available. Oxygen therapy may only postpone symptoms, rather than alleviating them.

Injectable sumatriptan (Imitrex): Triptans are a class of drug that can treat migraines. Sumatriptan acts as an agonist for 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors. It can treat migraines, and it can bring rapid relief from cluster headaches. Zolmitriptan (Zomig) is a nasal spray, but it only works for some patients. The adult dose is a 6-milligram (mg) injection. Two injections can be taken in one 24-hour period, at least one hour apart.

Dihydroergotamine: This is an effective pain reliever for some people. It can be taken intravenously or inhaled. A medical professional will need to give an intravenous dose. The inhaler form is effective but less fast-acting.

Octreotide (Sandostatin, Sandostatin LAR): These are synthetic versions of somatostatin, a brain hormone. It is injected. It is an effective treatment for cluster headaches and considered safe for those with hypertension or ischemic heart disease.

2. Preventive treatment
Most people with cluster headaches take short- and long-term medications. When each period of clusters is over, the short-term treatments stop, but the long-term ones may continue.

If attacks occur frequently, or if one lasts over 3 weeks, preventive treatments are recommended. The person will take the treatment the moment the headaches start, and continue until the period of headaches ends.