Effects of oral magnesium for migraine prophylaxis

Abstract

Objectives: Conflicting results have been reported for positive effects of magnesium supplementation on migraine prophylaxis. The objective of this study was to assess whether, magnesium oxide in addition to routine treatments in adults, reduces migrainous headache frequency, migraine days and headache severity. Methods: In this 2-month clinical trial, effects of 500 mg/day oral magnesium oxide for migraine prophylaxis and serum magnesium concentration in 77 migrainous adults (case=33, control=44) aged 34.10±9.61 years, were assessed. Weight and height were measured and body mass index was calculated. Results: Significant reduction in migraines, migraine days, headache severity and migraine index in the both groups compared with baseline, were observed. In magnesium oxide group compared with control group, 50% or greater reduction in migraines (P<0.01) and headache severity (P<0.05) were significant. Statistically non-significant decreases in migraine index and migraine days in the magnesium oxide group were reported. Magnesium supplementation increased significantly (P<0.001) serum magnesium concentration while in control group no difference was seen. Conclusion: In spite of oral magnesium oxide supplementation (500 mg/day) in addition to routine treatments appears to be effective in migraine prophylaxis, larger trials involving this safe, appealing complementary therapy are needed.