[Intramuscular diclofenac in the acute treatment of migraine: a double-blind placebo controlled study]

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess, in a double blind fashion, the effect of diclofenac on the pain and associated symptoms in patients with acute migraine. 60 patients with migraine with aura and 60 patients with migraine without aura were assigned at random to receiving intramuscular diclofenac, 75 mg associated to intravenous physiological saline, 10 ml, or physiological saline alone. We used 3 parameters of analgesic evaluation and an analogical scale to asses associated symptoms. We also observed the recurrence and rescue medication percentiles. Patients receiving diclofenac showed a statistically significant improvement of pain 60 minutes after the administration in two of the three parameters(migraine without aura) and in all parameters (migraine with aura). They did not present difference, compared to placebo, on the intensity of associated symptoms. We observed a reduction on the recurrence and rescue medication utilization. Despite being an option to treat migraines attacks in the emergency room settings, diclofenac has a slow onset action and no effects on the associated symptoms.