What is a migraine infusion?
A migraine infusion is a therapy in which medicines and fluid are given directly into the vein, in order to quickly ease the symptoms of a severe migraine attack. When a migraine reaches its peak, an ordinary tablet often does not help enough — either because it works too slowly, or because nausea and vomiting make it ineffective or the patient cannot keep it down.
In these situations, infusion administration has an advantage: the medicine reaches the bloodstream directly and acts faster, while at the same time the fluid lost through nausea and vomiting is replaced. The goal of the infusion is to shorten and ease the attack, reduce the pain and accompanying symptoms, and help the patient feel better as soon as possible.
The content of the infusion is not the same for everyone — the doctor determines it according to the severity of the attack, the accompanying symptoms and your health condition. The therapy most often includes fluid for rehydration, and, if needed, medicines against pain and nausea, as well as other additions the doctor assesses.
At Medical Time a migraine infusion is given under medical supervision, in a calm environment. Since light and sound are often unbearable during an attack, we try to make the setting as quiet and darkened as possible, so the patient can more easily calm down and recover.
When a migraine infusion makes sense — indications
A migraine infusion helps most in severe attacks that do not respond to the usual therapy, or when nausea and vomiting make taking tablets impossible. The decision on therapy and its composition is made by the doctor, after a short assessment.
The most common situations in which a migraine infusion is considered are:
If you have frequent or unusually severe headaches, or the pattern of your headache has changed suddenly, it is important to see a doctor — the infusion eases the attack, but the diagnostics and a migraine treatment plan are a separate, equally important step.
- a severe migraine attack that does not respond to tablets
- nausea and vomiting that make taking medicines by mouth impossible
- a prolonged headache accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound
- exhaustion and dehydration due to vomiting during the attack
- a need for faster relief when the usual therapy works too slowly
- recurrent attacks in which tablets no longer give a sufficient effect
What the infusion contains and how it works
The composition of a migraine infusion is tailored to each patient, but usually has several goals: to replace fluid, ease the pain and calm the nausea. This is why the therapy most often consists of a combination of components that work together.
The basis is fluid for rehydration, which replaces what the body has lost through nausea, vomiting and reduced intake. Rehydration alone brings relief for many patients, as dehydration is a frequent companion and amplifier of an attack.
In addition, the doctor includes in the infusion, as needed, medicines against pain and medicines against nausea, to ease the headache and calm the vomiting. At their assessment, other ingredients that support recovery can also be added, always in doses and a combination the doctor considers safe for the specific patient.
Since everything reaches the bloodstream directly, the effect sets in faster than with tablets, and the problem of vomiting is bypassed too. The goal is not only to quiet the pain at that moment, but also to stabilise the patient and help them come out of the attack more easily.
What a migraine infusion looks like — course and duration
Before the infusion the doctor carries out a short assessment — asking about the severity and duration of the headache, the accompanying symptoms, previous migraines, allergies and the medicines you take. Based on this they determine the composition of the infusion and rule out conditions requiring a different approach.
The infusion is given into a vein, most often in the arm, while the patient lies in a calm, ideally darkened space. The solution is released slowly, drop by drop. One infusion usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the composition and the patient's condition. During this time the staff monitor how you are tolerating the therapy and how the symptoms respond.
In many patients relief begins during the infusion or soon after it — the pain eases, the nausea calms, and the sense of exhaustion lifts with the replacement of fluid. When it is finished, the doctor gives advice for what follows: on rest, fluid intake and any continuation of therapy.
For the patient the preparation is simple — it is enough to come and lie down quietly. Everything else is provided by the staff, and the calm setting further helps to get through the attack more easily.
Safety and possible side effects
A migraine infusion, when given with a medical assessment and supervision, is well tolerated. Still, like any infusion therapy and administration of medicines, it carries small risks, which is why it is given under the supervision of staff and in controlled conditions.
The most common are mild and transient reactions:
The side effects also depend on the medicines that go into the composition of the infusion. That is why it is important to tell the doctor everything you take and any previous reactions to medicines, so the therapy is tailored and safe precisely for you.
- a sensation of stinging or irritation at the needle puncture site
- transient drowsiness or mild dizziness, especially with anti-nausea medicines
- a dry mouth or transient stomach discomfort
- a drop in blood pressure or a feeling of weakness on standing up suddenly
- rarely: a reaction to the administered medicine
- very rarely: an allergic reaction requiring urgent management
When a migraine infusion is not the right option
An infusion eases a migraine attack, but is not a solution for every headache and does not replace diagnostics. There are situations that require a different, more urgent approach.
A sudden, unusually severe headache (“the worst of your life”), a headache accompanied by a disturbance of consciousness, speech, vision or weakness of the limbs, or a headache after a head injury, can be a sign of a serious condition and require urgent medical examination, not delay with an infusion. In these cases, contact emergency services.
What it is important to inform the doctor about before therapy:
- all the medicines you take, including therapy for migraine and headache
- previous allergic reactions to medicines and infusions
- diseases of the heart, blood vessels, kidneys or liver
- pregnancy, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding
- any sudden or unusual change in the character of the headache
Why have a migraine infusion at Medical Time
At Medical Time we give a migraine infusion with a medical assessment and supervision, in a calm and, where possible, darkened space that itself helps during an attack. We tailor the composition of the therapy to the severity of the attack and the accompanying symptoms, instead of giving everyone the same.
An advantage is also that the whole facility stands behind the infusion — so if a further assessment or planning of long-term migraine treatment is needed, specialist consultations and diagnostics are available in the same place.
- fast help in a severe attack, under medical supervision
- therapy tailored to the severity of the attack and the accompanying symptoms
- a calm and darkened setting that eases recovery
- fluid replacement and relief of nausea, not just quieting the pain
- slow and controlled administration, with monitoring of how you respond
- the option of further assessment and planning of migraine treatment in the same place
- fast booking when help is needed right away
Price
The price of a migraine infusion depends on the composition of the therapy the doctor determines — from fluid replacement to medicines against pain and nausea — as well as on the duration and supervision. That is why the final price is set after a short assessment.
For a guide to the cost of individual infusions, see all our infusions in the price list, and for an exact proposal and appointment, call us.
- Migraine infusion (at the doctor's assessment)
For advice and an appointment call 062-399-888.
Frequently asked questions about the migraine infusion
An infusion delivers fluid and medicines directly into the bloodstream, so it acts faster than tablets and bypasses the problem of vomiting. It replaces the fluid lost through nausea, eases the pain and calms the nausea, thereby helping the attack to subside faster.
The composition is tailored to the patient. The basis is usually fluid for rehydration, and the doctor adds, as needed, medicines against pain and against nausea, as well as other additions they assess as safe for your condition.
In many patients relief begins during the infusion or soon after it. The speed and degree of relief depend on the severity of the attack and the composition of the therapy.
One infusion usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the composition and the patient's condition. With the assessment before and the advice after therapy, the whole visit is somewhat longer.
Yes, when given with a medical assessment and supervision. Mild and transient side effects are possible, such as drowsiness or irritation at the puncture site. That is why it is important to tell the doctor all your medicines and any previous reactions.
A sudden, worst-ever headache, or a headache accompanied by a disturbance of consciousness, speech, vision, weakness of the limbs or after a head injury, require urgent examination. In these cases contact emergency services, do not delay with an infusion.
An infusion eases a specific attack, but does not cure migraine as a disease. For long-term treatment, diagnostics and a therapy plan are needed, which you can arrange through a specialist consultation.
The price depends on the composition of the therapy, the duration and supervision, so it is set after a short assessment. You can see the prices of individual infusions in the price list of all our infusions, and for an exact proposal call 062-399-888.