Comparison of dihydroergotamine with metoclopramide versus meperidine with promethazine in the treatment of acute migraine.

Migraineurs often seek office-based treatment for acute headache. To compare the efficacy and side effect profile, we entered 27 migraineurs into a prospective, randomized, double-blind study where each patient received either 75 mg meperidine with 25 mg promethazine IM or .5 mg dihydroergotamine with 10 mg metoclopramide IV. After 1 hour, pain relief was similar in the two groups, but side effects were significantly greater in the meperidine with promethazine regimen group. The dihydroergotamine with metoclopramide regimen is effective, and has minimal side effects, making it an attractive method for office-based treatment of acute migraine.