Sumatriptan in patients with postdural puncture headache

Objective.-To determine the efficacy of sumatriptan in the management of pa tients presenting for an epidural blood patch for the management of postdur al puncture headache, Background.-Postdural puncture headache can be quite severe, requiring inva sive therapy (ie, epidural blood patch). Sumatriptan has been used successf ully in patients with postdural puncture headache, however, its use has not been investigated in a controlled fashion. Methods.-Ten patients with postdural puncture headache presenting for an ep idural blood patch were given either saline or sumatriptan subcutaneously. The severity of the headache was evaluated at baseline and 1 hour following injection. If the headache remained severe, an epidural blood patch was pe rformed. Results.-Only one patient in each group received relief front the injection . Conclusions.-We do not recommend sumatriptan in patients who have exhausted conservative management of postdural puncture headache.