Ketamine Therapy: A Boon for Migraine Treatment

Ketamine is a powerful analgesic drug used to treat a variety of neurological conditions, including migraine. Ketamine infusion therapy targets the NMDA receptor in the brain, which regulates pain. In a clinical study of 61 patients, 77% responded to the ketamine infusion migraine therapy. Thus, ketamine therapy is a proven, viable option for people suffering from migraines and other pain-related conditions.  

Researchers at our Pain Clinic in Lexington, KY, have determined that migraines are caused by abnormal activity in the brain involving nerves, chemicals, and blood vessels. However, more research is needed to determine what triggers migraines and how these triggers are affected. Some researchers say that genetics may play a role, but they have not proven a causal relationship.  

If you’ve tried medications and nothing works, ketamine treatment for migraine is worth considering. Contact our consultants for pain management. 

Migraine Solution: Research 

In a systematic review of randomized controlled trials at our Kentucky Pain Clinic, ketamine was compared to placebo or active intervention in patients with headaches. Researchers analyzed the effectiveness of ketamine infusion for migraine compared to placebo or other active interventions.  

Outcome measures for this migraine therapy included pain frequency, intensity and aura, maximal duration of relief, need for rescue medications and further hospitalization, and quality of life and functional disability. Although these studies did not show uniform benefits for ketamine, the results were promising. 

Migraine Therapy: Mechanisms 

The efficacy of ketamine treatment for migraines was demonstrated in a study conducted at the Anesthesiology Annual Meeting. Researchers evaluated pain relief from intramuscular and IV ketamine therapy in patients with refractory migraines and other refractory headaches. The authors used the VAS (visual analog scale) as the outcome measure. 45% of patients achieved a 50% reduction in VAS scores after ketamine treatment. 

Effects of Ketamine Treatment for Migraines 

Ketamine is used in our Kentucky Pain Clinic as a refractory migraine solution as it has sedative properties and acts on the central nervous system. Ketamine has also been used to effectively treat depression and chronic pain management in Lexington, KY.  

In a recent study, ketamine treatment was found to be effective for patients suffering from multiple headaches and was associated with decreased pain intensity and decreased frequency of symptoms. In addition, ketamine infusion for migraine relief is safe and is associated with minimal side effects.  

In the future, ketamine for migraines and primary headaches may become a valuable treatment. In the meantime, it will reduce the number of emergency room visits and work/school days lost and improve quality of life.  

Call our Pain Clinic in Lexington, KY, to know more about ketamine treatment for migraines. 

Side Effects of Long-Term Ketamine Infusion For Migraine 

A preliminary study of long-term ketamine infusion for migraine treatment showed no side effects or significant improvement in symptoms. The study included six patients admitted to Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital in New York from 2010 to 2014, and ketamine was administered intravenously to the participants over several sessions.  

The study found that ketamine infusions significantly reduced pain for patients with chronic migraine. In fact, the pain level of the patients was reduced up to three weeks following the migraine pain treatment. The researchers said the reduction in pain was sustained in 40% of the patients. 

Efficacy of Ketamine For Migraine Pain Treatment 

Despite the success of other therapies, a subset of patients at our Kentucky Pain Clinic still experience significant disability or impairment from their migraines. The resulting pain can interfere with social and professional life and even prevent a person from getting enough sleep. Ketamine infusion therapy is a migraine solution that may help these patients.  

Many factors are associated with the occurrence of migraines, including stress, hormone imbalances, alcohol consumption, and additives found in food. While the effectiveness of ketamine treatment for migraines is still in its early stages, it is already proving to be an effective therapy.  

The efficacy of ketamine infusion for migraine treatment is not fully understood, but it has shown some promising results. However, further studies are needed to confirm the analgesic effects of ketamine in migraine pain treatment. 

Ketamine For Migraines: Study Limitations 

A study evaluated the use of ketamine in acute migraine therapy in the emergency department (ED). This trial randomized adults with acute migraine to receive intravenous 0.2 milligrams of ketamine or an equivalent volume of normal saline. At baseline, subjects were assessed for their pain levels on the Numeric Rating Scale-11 (NRS-11), categorical pain, and functional disability. Additionally, the study assessed adverse events, side effects, and the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.  

The study’s primary outcome measure was underpowered. The number of patients needed to be approximately 87 to detect a four-point difference in the MADRS score between the ketamine groups. In addition, the repeated ketamine arms failed to generate significant analgesic effects. This was because the researchers wanted to recruit the greatest number of patients possible, not answer a practical question about ketamine treatment for migraines. Another limitation is the absence of a placebo-controlled arm. The placebo arm would have consisted of midazolam infusions, and the study could have raised ethical issues regarding the use of the non-therapeutic intervention.  

Do you suffer from severe migraine? The best treatment awaits! Get in touch with Wellward Regenerative Medicine today!