Controlled trial of ketorolac in tension-type headache

Abstract

Intramuscular ketorolac 60 mg, meperidine 50 mg plus promethazine 25 mg, and normal saline were compared in acute exacerbations of tension-type headache. Forty-one subjects (30 females and 11 males) were randomized into three groups and evaluated by the McGill Short-Form Pain Questionnaire before treatment, and 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 hours after treatment. All three groups showed a significant treatment effect that persisted for the 6 hours of evaluation. Ketorolac treatment was significantly better than placebo at 0.5 and 1 hour by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Pain Rating Index, and better than meperidine at 2 hours (by the VAS). Meperidine and placebo did not differ at any time point. Ketorolac is effective in short-term treatment of tension-type headache.