Nonprescription Doses of Ibuprofen Effectively Treat Migraine Pain

Headache 2001

Researchers have determined that moderate to severe migraines respond to 200-400 mg of ibuprofen. Not only does the ibuprofen improve conditions of the migraine, but also the associated symptoms, such as nausea, photophobia, phonophobia, and functional disability. Researchers treated 660 adults suffering from moderate to severe migraines with either a single dose of placebo or 200 or 400 mg of ibuprofen. Migraine pain and associated symptoms were evaluated before treatment and again two hours later. Authors reported that 41.7 percent of patients treated with ibuprofen exhibited significant improvement after two hours, as opposed to only 28.1 percent of those treated with the placebo. Patients who suffered severe pain before treatment and received 400 mg of ibuprofen experienced greater relief than those who received 200 mg. While the research does not include patients who experience the most severe types of migraines, it is relevant for the majority of migraine sufferers. This study confirms that ibuprofen-the drug presently being used for treatment-is efficacious. Codispoti JR, Prior MJ, Fu M, et al. Headache 2001;41(7):665-679. Return to Top