Intravenous sodium valproate versus prochlorperazine for the emergency department treatment of acute migraine headaches: A prospective, randomized, double-blind trial

Study objectives: We compare the efficacy of intravenous sodium valproate versus prochlorperazine for the emergency department treatment of acute migraine headache. Methods: We performed a randomized, prospective, double-blind trial performed at a tertiary care military ED. Forty patients, aged 18 to 65 years, presenting with typical migraine symptoms were enrolled. Patients were randomized to receive either 10 mg of prochlorperazine or 500 mg of valproate intravenously over 2 minutes. Pain, nausea, and sedation were assessed by using a standard visual analog scale (VAS). Changes in VAS scores were compared between groups from baseline to end point by using a rank sum test, over time by using 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance, and by requirement for rescue at 60 minutes by using the Fisher exact test. Results: Comparison of the change in median VAS scores over 60 minutes revealed that sodium valproate was significantly less effective than prochlorperazine in reducing pain or nausea (P