Aspirin in high doses can relieve severe headaches and migraine, according to a new research at the UCSF Headache Center.

Study participants administered aspirin through an IV and 25 percent of the time reported a more modest pain reduction about 40 percent of the time.


Aspirin also is non-toxic, non-addictive, non-sedating, has few side effects for adults, and is less expensive than drug regimens such as triptans that physicians typically prescribe to headache patients to combat severe pain.

To develop a successful treatment plan for these patients, physicians first turn to a hospital inpatient program where medication withdrawal can be overseen by a neurologist or pain specialist. High-dose intravenous aspirin can help patients manage headache pain while undergoing medication withdrawal, the study shows.

Further research is needed to understand how exactly the aspirin works to reduce headache pain, the UCSF team said, but the findings give neurologists a safe and effective treatment option for migraine sufferers that is less expensive than the alternative multi-drug alternative.