Use of intranasal lidocain in the treatment of acute migraine

Abstract

In this study the efficacy of intranasal lidocaine solution in the treatment of acute migraine is searched Between February, 2000 and July, 2001, 41 patients who were admitted to the Emergency Department of Uludag University Medical Faculty Hospital with headache and diagnosed as migraine according to the intemational Headache Society criteria were included in the study. Each patient underwent intranasal application of either 2% lidocaine (Lidocaine group, n:21) or normal safine (Control group, n:20). Mean pain scores at 5,10,15 and 30 minutes were significantly decreased in both groups . When two groups were compared, lidocaine was found to be more effective than placebo only at the 5th minute (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the lidocaine and the placebo groups with respect to the cessation of accompanying symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia. In conclusion, 1 ml 2% intranasal lidocain has no significant advantage over placebo in the treatment of acute migrain.