A PROSPECTIVE, DOUBLE-BLIND-STUDY OF METOCLOPRAMIDE HYDROCHLORIDE FOR THE CONTROL OF MIGRAINE IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Study objective: To determine the effectiveness of IV metoclopramide as sole therapy for relieving the pain of acute migraine in the emergency department. Design: Prospective study. Fifty patients were divided randomly into subjects and placebo controls with blinding of the treating physician and the patient. Participants: Patients presenting to the ED with migraine requiring parenteral treatment. Interventions: Subjects received 10 mg IV metoclopramide and controls received IV normal saline; patient assessment of relief was followed by means of a numerical scale. Measurements and main results: Sixty-seven percent of subjects compared with 19% of controls had effective pain relief within one hour (P < .001). Subjects achieved mean relief scores of 2.46 compared with 1.69 for controls (P < .02). No significant side effects were observed. Conclusion: IV metoclopramide as a single agent is effective and safe therapy for migraine in the ED. © 1990 American College of Emergency Physicians.