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In-Hospital Treatment for Migraines

Hospital admission for migraine pain is not very common. A migraineur (one who suffers from migraines) who is having an acute migraine attack usually goes to a hospital emergency room, is treated there and released. However, patients presenting with "status migrainosus" (severe and unrelenting migraine)--especially when it is accompanied by nausea or vomiting--are sometimes admitted for more aggressive treatment.

  1. Treatment

    • After admission, the patient usually receives the medication dihydroergotamine (DHE). It is administered intravenously every 8 hours. Other IV therapies might also be administered, such as anti-nauseates, Benadryl, magnesium sulfate, Depacon and droperido.

    Effectiveness

    • If the DHE is ineffective, a "triptan" (a drug that acts to constrict blood vessels) or a steroid (anti-inflammatory) medication is usually administered. Narcotics such as morphine or Demerol may also be tried.

    Testing

    • Common tests that are ordered for a migraine patient during hospitalization are blood tests, computed tomography scan (often called a CAT or CT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and sinus X-rays.

    Other Treatments

    • It is often necessary to also treat the patient for depression, anxiety and insomnia.

    Duration

    • It is generally expected that a migraine patient will remain hospitalized for one to three days.

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