The Journal of clinical psychiatry
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Pretreatment with ibuprofen to prevent electroconvulsive therapy-induced headache.
Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has been widely recognized as an effective treatment for severe depression and various other psychiatric illnesses, adverse effects have been frequently reported, especially a high incidence of headache. Analgesics, such as acetaminophen, narcotics, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are commonly used to treat ECT-induced headache. The objective of this study was to determine whether pretreatment with ibuprofen would prevent the onset or decrease the severity of headache that occurs after ECT. ⋯ Ibuprofen premedication reduced the frequency and severity of headache post-ECT and should be considered for appropriate patients who suffer from ECT-induced headache.