Randomised trial of IV metoclopramide vs IV ketorolac in treatment of acute primary headaches

Introduction: Headache is one of the most common neurological conditions among emergency department visits (ED), although the best therapy has not been identified yet. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to compare the pain-relieving effect of metoclopramide and ketorolac in acute primary headaches patients. Methods: This double-blind, randomised clinical trial was conducted at Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran. This research involved all adult patients with acute primary (migraine or tension-type) headaches presented to the ED. Pain intensity was assessed with 0 to 10 verbal Numeric Rating Scales (NRS). The subjects were randomised into 10 mg intravenous (IV) metoclopramide or 30 mg IV ketorolac groups. Pain score and drug adverse reactions were compared between the two groups at baseline, 15, 30, and 60 min alter baseline. Results: 108 patients completed this trial and were equally divided into two groups (mean age of 34 +/- 8.54 years; 57.4% female). Before treatment, the mean pain score was 6.9 and 6.8 in metoclopramide and ketorolac groups, respectively (p > 0.05). Metoclopramide failed to provide more improvement in pain score at 30 min (p = 0.55) and 60 min (p = 0.15) from baseline. There were no serious adverse events in this study. Only five patients required rescue medication which four of them were in ketorolac group. Conclusion: We were unable to reject the null hypothesis that there would be no difference in pain outcomes between metoclopramide and ketorolac. (C) 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study compared the pain-relieving effects of metoclopramide and ketorolac in acute primary headaches patients, finding no significant difference between the two drugs in pain outcomes with no serious adverse events reported.