Intravenous Magnesium Sulfate for Acute Nontraumatic Headache in the Emergency Department.
Ann Emerg MedMay 15, 2026 (epub)
Clinical ResearchEmergency Medicine
Salma Messous, Marwa Toumia, Randa Dhaoui et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of intravenous magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) combined with paracetamol in adults with acute nontraumatic headache. Among 1,028 patients, treatment success was observed in 78.9% of the MgSO4 group compared to 65.1% in the placebo group, a difference of 13.8%. However, the clinical significance of this difference was below the accepted threshold.
Key findings
- Success rates were 78.9% for MgSO4 versus 65.1% for placebo, a 13.8% difference.
- Rescue analgesia was needed less frequently in the MgSO4 group (7.1% vs 15.3%).
- Patient satisfaction was higher in the MgSO4 group (91.7% vs 85.1%).
- Adverse events occurred more often with MgSO4 (15.4% vs 11.1%).
Why it matters
Understanding the effectiveness of adjunctive treatments for acute headache can help clinicians optimize pain management strategies in emergency settings, balancing efficacy with potential side effects.