Analgesic use for carbon monoxide poisoning induced headache: A randomized, controlled, double-blind, clinical trial

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of three analgesics versus placebo in the relief of carbon monoxide (CO)-induced headache in patients with CO intoxication. Methods: This study was a prospective, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial. Patients diagnosed with CO intoxication and who had headaches were included in the study. They were divided into four groups. Patients in group 1 received 50 mg dexketoprofen i.v. in 100 mL of saline, while those in group 2 received 800 mg ibuprofen i.v. Patients in group 3 were given I g paracetamol i.v. Group 4 patients received placebo (100 mL of physiological saline. Visual analogue scale (VAS) values were recorded at onset of treatment, and subsequently at 30th, 60th, 90th and 240th min. Patients who scored 3 and below in VAS 240 were considered to have responded to treatment. Results: A total of 168 patients completed the study. Two analgesics and placebo significantly reduced VAS 240 score (p < 0.05). However, VAS 30, VAS 60 and VAS 240 values decreased significantly in the ibuprofen group, when compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Evaluation of response to treatment revealed no significant differences amongst the groups (p = 0.313). Conclusion: These results suggest that analgesics are not superior to oxygen therapy in the treatment of headaches caused by CO poisoning. However, ibuprofen + oxygen treatment may be applied in people who cannot tolerate headaches for a long time.