Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42452960›Full record

ReviewHeadache2026

Acute migraine treatments in patients above age 65.

Tulsi Shah, Jessica Ailani, Carrie Dougherty, Arathi Nandyala

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Headache, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Tulsi ShahCapital Neurology and Sleep Medicine, McLean, Virginia, USA.
Jessica AilaniDepartment of Neurology, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
Carrie DoughertyDepartment of Neurology, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.
Arathi NandyalaDepartment of Neurology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMigraine remains a prevalent and disabling condition in older adults, yet there are limited data guiding acute treatment in patients over the age of 65 years. This population is often underrepresented in clinical trials and there are special considerations to take with management in this population including age-related pharmacokinetic changes, comorbidities, and increased risk of medication-related adverse effects.

objectiveIn this narrative review, we aim to highlight the current acute treatments for migraine and considerations that should be taken when choosing medications in older adults, including assessing vascular risk factors, polypharmacy, declining kidney function, delayed gastric emptying, and impaired liver metabolism.

methodsThis is a narrative review on the current literature and evidence for the use of acute medications in patients with migraine who are 65 years old or older. The authors queried both PubMed and Google Scholar for relevant publications in February-March 2025.

resultsThe authors provide a breakdown of acute medication treatment options and include special considerations by class. The classes discussed include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, triptans, ergotamines, gepants, ditans, neuromodulation, and nerve blocks.

conclusionUltimately, effective and safe acute migraine management in patients over age 65 years requires applying the best available evidence, understanding knowledge gaps, and engaging in shared decision making. Better data and guidelines are needed to enable clinicians to make informed treatment decisions and to safely provide reassurance to patients who benefit from these therapies.

Indexed as

AnalgesicsMigraine DisordersAcetaminophenAgedAnti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-SteroidalHumansTryptaminesAcetaminophenAnalgesicsAnti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-SteroidalTryptaminesacute migraine treatmentcardiovascular riskelderlyolder adults

Identifiers

PMID42452960
PMCPMC13571047

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.