Efficacy of Haloperidol vs. Metoclopramide for Treatment of Acute Headaches and Migraines in the Emergency Department

• Status: Terminated
• Trial end date: 2017-04-24
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

Metoclopramide (Reglan) is a common agent used for relief of headaches in the emergency department (ED).In this study the investigators seek to explore another option for treatment of headaches in the ED, one that may be more efficacious and efficient. Haloperidol (Haldol), a butyrophenone class of medication, is thought to act by affecting the dopamine 2 receptor in the brain.

By exploring haloperidol as an option for treatment, the investigators hope to discover a more efficient and effective medication for the treatment of non-traumatic headaches, thereby decreasing a patient's length of stay in the department and decreasing the rate of return visits for continued discomfort from the same headache. This study could lead to the increased usage of haloperidol as a first line agent in the treatment of prolonged headaches presenting to the ED.

• Phase: Phase 4
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: No

Details

• Lead Sponsor: OhioHealth
• Treatments: Diphenhydramine; Haloperidol; Haloperidol decanoate; Metoclopramide; Promethazine

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who present with a headache or migraine with onset less than or equal to 72 hours

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known pregnancy

• Breast-feeding women

• Known history of arrhythmias or QT prolongation (450 ms)

• Known adverse effects to haloperidol, diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or metoclopramide

• Subarachnoid hemorrhage

• Headaches caused by trauma, meningitis

• Congestive heart failure

• Parkinson's Disease

• Dementia

• Pheochromocytoma

• History of glaucoma

• History of seizures

• Non-English speaking patients