Intravenous ketorolac versus metoclopramide in adult patients with migraine headaches: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

Background: Intravenous ketorolac and metoclopramide are common emergency treatments for adult patients with migraine headaches. The comparison between ketorolac and metoclopramide for migraine treatment is an intriguing issue for research and clinical practice.

Objectives: To provide an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to help determine which treatment has better effects for migraine patients.

Material and methods: Intravenous ketorolac and metoclopramide were compared to evaluate whether intravenous ketorolac is associated with significant benefits for pain intensity, short-term headache relief and sustained headache relief among adult patients with migraines. Adverse effects were also analyzed. Five studies with a total of 674 adult patients were included in the analysis, which focused on the outcomes of pain intensity, short-term headache relief, sustained headache relief, and adverse effects.

Results: The meta-analysis showed that the only modest but statistically significant difference was present in short-term headache relief when comparing intravenous ketorolac with intravenous metoclopramide. There were no significant differences between intravenous ketorolac and metoclopramide in terms of pain intensity, sustained headache relief or adverse effects.

Conclusion: The results suggest that there are no significant differences in most treatment effects (aside from short-term headache relief) and adverse effects when comparing intravenous ketorolac with intravenous metoclopramide. However, the paucity of literature on this topic might have limited the interpretation of the current results. Thus, more relevant studies are warranted.