Intranasal lidocaine for migraine and cluster headaches

Abstract

While lidocaine may not be effective for the relief of all cluster or migraine headaches and the pain may recur in some patients, this therapy may offer an important therapeutic alternative for certain migraine patients. Further research may provide more information, such as which headache types best respond to lidocaine, if higher concentrations of lidocaine are more effective, if lidocaine solution is more effective than lidocaine nose spray, and if other local anesthetics are as effective.