Comparison of the Effect of Intravenous Paracetamol, Dexketoprofen and Ibuprofen on Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in the Treatment of Acute Migraine Attack Headache in the Emergency Department: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial

• This is the randomized double blinded clinical trial to compare the efficacy of these three drugs in this clinical setting.
• A randomized clinical trial was conducted in the Emergency Department (ED) of Pamukkale University Medical Faculty Hospital
• Study personnel (emergency physicians and nurses) were trained before the study.
• When intravenous drugs (Paracetamol, Dexketoprofen and ibuprofen) was being recommended, an eligibility checklist was completed by the attending physician.
• If there were no exclusion criteria, written informed consent was obtained and baseline information, including initial Acute Migraine Attack Headache severity ratings with visual analog scale (VAS) were recorded.
• The need for identification and enrollment of participants by staff with conflicting work pressures resulted in recruitment of a convenience sample of patients.
• All patients eligible for the study were randomized to one of three groups:

First Group: 1000 mg of paracetamol ( perfalgan 10mg/ml solutionBristol- Myers Squibb_UK) intravenous (IV) was given 70 patients, Second Group: dexketoprofen 50 mg ( arveles ampoule -Ufsa- Istanbul) intravenous (IV) was given 70 patients, third group: 400 mg İbuprofen (İntrafen 400 mg vial-Gen-İstanbul) intravenous (IV) was given 70 patients, which determined to be applied as a group.

In addition, intravenous metoclopramide was added to the threatment of patients with acute migraine attack headache.

Drug packs prepared in 150 ml serum physiology were numbered by an independent nurse, who not involved in the study.

• Drugs were prepared according to the computer-generated random number sequence to assign treatment allocations
• The allocation list was kept by the emergency nurse. Patients received the paracetamol,dexketoprofen,ibuprofen medication schemes according to their random allocations.
• After enrollment and recording of baseline information, the next numbered study drug pack was obtained, and administered intravenously.
• Randomization was achieved by using computer software to generate random numbers. During the intervention, participants were monitored by an oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitor, an automatic sphygmomanometer (blood pressure), and a rhythm monitor (heart rate and rhythms)
• One researcher blinded to patient allocation observed the whole procedure and recorded the acute migraine attack headache scores.
• Patients in three groups received three types of medication in a similar manner, thus ensuring double blind.