Posted by Bob Johnson (12.19.49.2) on August 01, 2000 at 08:43:31:
(Rescue meds are those used when your regularly effective abortive treat is failing you. Think of them as a second line defense.)
(This report is from: Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2000; 18:311-315.)
IV magnesium sulfate has received some goods reports as an abortive for headaches which would not respond to other medications.
In this report, IV prochlorperazine (Compazine--an old line antinausea med) was compared with IV magnesium and found to be more effective in aborting a headache--90% effective vs. 56% for magnesium. Compazine had fewer side effects and none of the patients in this study required additional medication.
Clearly, using an IV is a last ditch treatment when your regular abortives are not working. It will require working out a plan with your doc to get this treatment at the ER--getting a prescription or letter which you can present at the ER.