This study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of domperi
done in combination with paracetamol in the treatment of migraine. Sev
erity of headache, duration of migraine attack and overall efficacy of
treatment were amongst the variables assessed in a randomized, double
-blind, three-way cross-over comparison of 1 g paracetamol plus either
domperidone 30 mg, domperidone 20 mg or placebo, taken at onset of he
adache. Forty-six patients attending the City of London Migraine Clini
c completed the study. A significant difference was observed in the du
ration of the migraine attack: a median of 17.5 h with paracetamol alo
ne was reduced to 12.0 h with the addition of domperidone 20 mg, and t
o 12.0 h with domperidone 30 mg. No significant adverse events were re
ported. A reduction in pain intensity and nausea was noted but this wa
s not statistically significant. It was concluded that domperidone sho
rtens the duration of a migraine attack and may help reduce headache a
nd associated symptoms.