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Abortive Headache Therapy in the Office With Intravenous Dihydroergotamine Plus Prochlorperazine
Author(s) -
Saadah Hanna A.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1111/j.1526-4610.1992.hed3203143.x
Subject(s) - dihydroergotamine , prochlorperazine , medicine , anesthesia , migraine , nausea
SYNOPSIS Over two years, 92 patients were treated in the office for 146 severe headache episodes. Headaches were aborted using four different intravenous regimens containing 0.5 or 1 mg. of dihydroergotamine and 3.5, 5, or 10 mg. of prochlorperazine. The speed and rate of response were directly proportional to the prochlorperazine dose used. High prochlorperazine doses (10 mg.) aborted the most headaches (95%) in the shortest time, but caused more sedation and akathesia. Low doses (3.5 mg.) aborted less headaches (89%) and responses were delayed; but, on the other hand, sedation was minimal and akathesia mild and uncommon. Dihydroergotamine given alone caused intolerable side effects; but, when it was given with prochlorperazine, efficacy was enhanced and side effects were greatly reduced. Aborting headaches in the office can be reliably achieved with minimal side effects by administering an intravenous mixture containing 1 mg. of dihydroergotamine and 3.5 mg. of prochlorperazine.