Is theophylline more effective than sumatriptan in the treatment of post-dural puncture headache? A randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the safety and efficacy of oral theophylline versus oral sumatriptan in the treatment of post-dural puncture headache (PDPH).Background: PDPH is the most frequent complication of procedures associated with a dural puncture for spinal anaesthesia, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampling, or following inadvertent dural puncture during epidural anaesthesia. Since invasive treatments have known complications, pharmacologic management may be preferable.Patients and Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, phase four, comparative clinical trial; carried out on 60 patients presented with PDPH at Damanhour Teaching Hospital, El Beheira, Egypt; between February 2020 and May 2021. Patients were randomly allocated into two equal groups; group T, which received oral theophylline, and group S, which received oral sumatriptan.Results: There were no statistically significant differences between both groups as regards: demographic data, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status, type of operation, type, and size of the spinal needle. PDPH duration and length of hospital stay were significantly shorter in group T than in group S. Numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) scores were significantly lower in group T than in group S. Palpitation, dizziness, gastric irritation, and nausea/vomiting occurred in both groups with no statistically significant differences. No patient in either group needed an epidural blood patch.Conclusion: Oral theophylline is more effective and safer than oral sumatriptan in the treatment of PDPH. It lowered NPRS scores, shortened the duration of PDPH, and length of hospital stay, and was associated with minimal side effects.