Aspirin in the treatment of acute migraine attacks

Abstract

Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin or ASA) has been used for many years as an analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drug. In recent years, evidence for its effectiveness in migraine headache has been demonstrated in several clinical trials. The effervescent highly buffered preparation of aspirin was shown to be effective, safe and well tolerated compared with placebo or other treatment options. The effervescent aspirin preparation is at least as effective as the combination of aspirin plus metoclopramide, but has fewer side effects. This review summarizes and analyzes clinical data of aspirin in the treatment of acute migraine attacks with respect to the different galenic formulations.