Clinical response to metoclopramide in comparison with sumatriptan in the treatment of migraine attacks

A prospective blind study was conducted with 40 patients (37 women and 3 men) with a diagnosis of severe migraine attacks; 50% of the patients were within the ages of 18 to 30. In an aleatory trial, patients were applied an intravenous 10 mg dose of metoclopramide or a 6 mg of subcutaneous sumatriptan. Vital signs and level of intensity of the headache with associated symptoms were evaluated during one hour. The headache decreased or there was relief in 100% of the patients treated by intravenous metoclopramide, having a better response than the patients treated by sumatriptan (70%), with difference statistically significant of p < 0.01. In terms of the associated symptoms, both relieved most of the symptoms but metoclopramide had best results in relief of nausea; the difference was statistically significant with p < 0.01. Vital signs remained within normal ranges since the moment of medication and during the patient's evaluation until the end. We conclude that intravenous metoclopramide is effective in treatment of severe migraine attacks and its associated symptoms.