Guidance

1 Recommendations

1 Recommendations

1.1 Evidence supports the case for adopting gammaCore to treat cluster headache in the NHS. gammaCore reduces the frequency and intensity of cluster headache attacks and improves quality of life.

1.2 gammaCore is not effective in everyone with cluster headache. Treatment with gammaCore should only continue for people whose symptoms reduce in the first 3 months.

1.3 Cost modelling estimates that, in the first year of treatment, adding gammaCore to standard care is cost saving compared with standard care alone by an average of £450 per person. This cost saving:

  • assumes that the first 3‑month period of gammaCore use is offered by the company free of charge

  • largely results from less use of subcutaneous sumatriptan.

Why the committee made these recommendations

gammaCore is a non-invasive vagus nerve stimulator that can be used to treat cluster headaches. Existing medications for cluster headaches are often only partially effective and may cause serious side effects.

Clinical evidence shows that, for some people, using gammaCore as well as standard care reduces the frequency and intensity of cluster headache attacks and reduces the need for medication. This is likely to lead to significant quality of life benefits for people living with this condition.

Cost analysis suggests that using gammaCore may lead to cost savings because people use medication less. But this depends on a free 3‑month period to identify people who benefit.