What are the ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision) codes and treatment options for different types of headaches?

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Last updated: June 3, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the Guidelines

The ICD-10 codes for common headache disorders include G43 for migraines, G44.0 for cluster headaches, G44.1 for vascular headaches, G44.2 for tension-type headaches, and R51 for unspecified headaches. Treatment options vary by headache type. For migraines, acute treatments include NSAIDs (ibuprofen 400-600mg or naproxen 500-550mg), triptans (sumatriptan 50-100mg orally or 6mg subcutaneously), and antiemetics (metoclopramide 10mg) for associated nausea, as recommended by the American College of Physicians 1.

  • Key considerations for treatment include: + Using combination therapy, such as a triptan with an NSAID or acetaminophen, to improve efficacy 2 + Considering CGRP antagonists-gepants (rimegepant, ubrogepant, or zavegepant) or ergot alkaloid (dihydroergotamine) for moderate to severe acute episodic migraine headache in nonpregnant outpatient adults who do not tolerate or have inadequate response to combination therapy 3 + Avoiding opioids or butalbital for the treatment of acute episodic migraine 4 + Counseling patients to begin treatment of migraine headache as soon as possible after its onset, and to be aware of medication overuse headache, which is a potential complication of migraine treatment 5 Preventive treatments for frequent migraines include propranolol (40-240mg daily), topiramate (25-200mg daily), amitriptyline (10-150mg nightly), and newer CGRP antagonists like erenumab (70-140mg monthly injection) 1.
  • Tension headaches typically respond to NSAIDs, while cluster headaches require high-flow oxygen (12-15L/min), injectable sumatriptan, or intranasal lidocaine for acute attacks, with verapamil (240-480mg daily) for prevention.
  • Medication overuse headaches (G44.4) require withdrawal of the overused medication and transitional therapy. Proper headache diagnosis is essential for effective treatment, as different headache types respond to specific therapies based on their distinct pathophysiological mechanisms.

From the Research

ICD-10 Codes for Headaches

  • The ICD-10 codes for headaches are as follows: + G43: Migraine + G44: Other headache syndromes + R51: Headache

Treatment Options for Different Types of Headaches

  • Migraine: First-line acute treatment for migraine consists of analgesics, triptans, and antiemetics 6. Preventive therapy for migraine can include β-blockers, tricyclics, antiepileptics, and botulinum toxin 6.
  • Tension-Type Headache (TTH): Simple analgesics are widely regarded as first-line medications for the acute treatment of TTH 7. Preventive treatment for TTH can include amitriptyline, venlafaxine, and mirtazapine 7.
  • Post-Traumatic Headache (PTH): Acute/preemptive pharmacological treatments for PTH include drugs used for migraine and TTH 8. Multimodal non-pharmacologic approaches, which account for comorbidities and biopsychosocial factors, are often used in PTH patients 8.
  • Cluster Headache: The onset of cluster headache in close temporal relation to a head trauma has only been described in rare cases 9.

Diagnosis of Headaches

  • Diagnosis of headaches is based on headache history and the exclusion of alternative diagnoses, with clinical criteria provided by the International Classification of Headache Disorders, third edition 7.
  • Migraine is associated with significant work- and family-related disability, and is often underdiagnosed 10.
  • Barriers to appropriate treatment of migraine include lack of access to providers, misdiagnosis, and acute and preventive therapies not being prescribed 10.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Migraine and Tension-Type Headache.

Seminars in neurology, 2018

Research

Tension-type headache.

Nature reviews. Disease primers, 2021

Research

Traumatic head injury in cluster headache: cause or effect?

Current pain and headache reports, 2012

Research

Migraine and Tension-Type Headache: Diagnosis and Treatment.

The Medical clinics of North America, 2019

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.