Systematic Review Finds Aspirin to be Effective Migraine Relief Treatment

Acute migraine headache sufferers may find relief from taking 1000 mg of Aspirin alone or in addition to 10 mg of metoclopramide, according to conclusions drawn from a Cochrane Systematic Review.

The findings are based on data from the results of 13 studies, consisting of4222 participants, that compared 900 or 1000 mg of aspirin alone or with 10 mg of metoclopramide, with placebo and other active comparators, mainly sumatriptan 50 mg or 100 mg.

Researchers searched a variety of databases for studies falling under the above criteria taking place on or before March 12, 2010. Randomised, double-blind, placebo- or active-controlled studies with at least 10 participants were included. Each study was designed to treat “a discrete migraine headache episode.”

In each case, it was found that the active treatments were superior to placebo. Additionally, there was no difference among aspirin alone and 50 mg of Sumatriptan for 2-hour pain-free and headache relief. However, 100 mg of sumatriptan was more effective than the combination of aspirin plus metoclopramide for 2-hour pain free, but not headache relief.

Nauseau, vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia were also found to be reduced with aspirin alone.Additional metocloprolide reduced nausea and vomiting significantly.