Prophylaxis of migraine with oral magnesium: results from a prospective, multi-center, placebo-controlled and double-blind randomized study.
Level 2 - randomized trial
Individual randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
PubMed 8792038 · doi:10.1046/j.1468-2982.1996.1604257.x
What was done
A prospective, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated oral magnesium for migraine prevention in 81 patients aged 18 to 65 years meeting International Headache Society criteria (mean baseline attack frequency 3.6 per month). Following a 4-week baseline run-in period, participants received either oral 600 mg (24 mmol) trimagnesium dicitrate daily or placebo for 12 weeks.
What was found
During weeks 9 to 12, migraine attack frequency was reduced by 41.6% in the magnesium group compared to a 15.8% reduction in the placebo group relative to baseline (p < 0.05). Days with migraine and symptomatic drug consumption per patient also significantly decreased in the magnesium group. Reductions in attack duration, attack intensity, and medication consumption per attack did not reach statistical significance versus placebo. Reported adverse events were diarrhea in 18.6% and gastric irritation in 4.7% of patients.
Why it matters
This trial provides randomized controlled evidence supporting high-dose oral magnesium as an effective option for migraine prophylaxis and reducing acute medication use.
Limits
The sample size is relatively small (n = 81) with a brief 12-week intervention. The abstract omits numerical values and exact p-values for secondary outcomes including migraine days, medication intake, attack duration, and intensity. Gastrointestinal side effects, particularly diarrhea, occurred in nearly one-fifth of patients.
Cited by
- supports The effective dose of magnesium for preventing migraines is approximately 600 mg per day.