Analgesic efficacy and tolerability of locally applied oleum menthae piperitae preparation LI 170 in patients with migraine or tension-type headache

Essential oils such as peppermint oil are widely used in the treatment of headache disorders. However, without any controlled clinical trials there is no scientific evidence for the efficacy and tolerability of these preparations. The aim of our controlled studies was to examine the analgesic efficacy and tolerability of the locally applied oleum menthae piperitae preparation LI 170 in patients with migraine or tension-type headache compared to either paracetamol or acetylsalicylic acid and placebo. Double dummy technique, randomisation and both a placebo and an active substance-controlled double blind design were used. In a further open study, the efficacy and tolerability of oleum menthae piperitae preparation LI 170 was investigated in children suffering from tension-type headache. In both controlled studies against paracetamol and acetylsalicylic acid, peppermint oil LI 170 was found to significantly reduce tension-type headache compared to placebo. The therapeutic efficacy was clinically significant. The combination of paracetamol and peppermint oil was superior to the mono preparations. In the open study, peppermint oil was effective and well tolerated in the treatment of tension-type headache in children. When used for the indication migraine, however, peppermint oil did not reduce headache intensity or headache-induced disability significantly when compared with placebo. As a conclusion, 10% peppermint oil in ethanol solution in controlled trials proved to be an effective and a well-tolerated therapeutic option in the treatment of tension-type headache.