Intravenous Aspirin Use in Migraine Attacks

Abstract

Aspirin is an efficient and cheap analgesic drug, which is used frequently. It is given orally in our country up to date. Use of aspirin intravenously in migraine headache has recently been tried and satisfying results were reported. Thirty-five patients with migraine attacks were admitted to emergency service. Twenty-three patients were treated by 900 mg Lysine acetylsalicylate (LASA)-equivalent of 500 mg aspirin intravenously (I.V). Twelve patients were treated by subcutaneous (S.C) injection of 6 mg sumatriptan. In the patients treated with LASA, the headache relieved clearly in 15 (62.5%) within 4-15 minutes. A moderate pain relief was obtained in 4 patients (17.4%) and there was slight improvement headache in 3 patients (13.1%). There was no response in one patient (4.3%). The pain was disappeared within 30-120 minutes in ten patients (83%) who were treated by sumatriptan. Sumatriptan was not beneficial in two patients (17%). Because of its rapid action and low cost, LASA I.V can be accepted as an effective therapy in migraine attacks treatment.