Management of migraine and tension-type headache: an algorithm for pharmacists

Abstract

Headache is one of the most common reasons patients seek help from healthcare practitioners. According to the Global Burden of  Disease (GBD) study, headache disorders are among the most prevalent and disabling conditions worldwide. Approximately one-half (52%) of the adult population worldwide is affected by a headache disorder, with the estimated global prevalence of migraine and tension-type headaches (TTH) being 14% and 26% respectively.^1,2 Globally, 86% of people claim to have experienced head pain (either TTH or migraine) at some point in their life, and each day, 15.8% of the world’s population have headache.^2,3 Saudi Arabia, South Africa, USA, India, Philippines, Indonesia, and Kenya have the highest prevalence of regular (weekly) head pain (31% or higher).³