New Review Evaluates Non-Oral Medications to Treat Acute Migraine

Many non-oral agents, such as NSAIDS, opioids, and triptans, appear to be effective at treating acute migraine headache when compared with placebo for patients seeking treatment at the emergency department, a new research review from AHRQ finds. However, evidence is insufficient to show that any one treatment is better than another. The review compares the effectiveness of non-oral medications versus standard care, placebo, or other treatments. Nine different classes of drugs are reviewed: antiemetics (metoclopramide), neuroleptics, ergotamines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids, corticosteroids, triptans, magnesium sulfate (MgSO4), and antihistamines. Select to read the findings in the full research review, Acute Migraine Treatment in Emergency Setting.