Therapeutic effect of memantine on patients with posttraumatic headache: A randomized double-blinded clinical trial

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in different complications. Posttraumatic headache (PTH) is a disabling complication of TBI. We investigated the therapeutic effect of memantine on patients with PTH.

This randomized and double-blinded clinical trial was performed in 2020 in a hospital on 90 patients with head trauma. Patients were divided into two groups. The active group received 5 mg memantine tablet for 2 weeks followed by 10 mg tablet daily for up to 6 months. The control arm received identical placebo tablets. Patients were evaluated at 3 months and 6 months. Headache severity was measured with a Visual Analog Scale for Pain. Headache frequency (per week) and duration were also recorded.

After 3 months, the patients in the memantine group had significantly lower headache severity (P = 001) and frequency (P = 0.008) in comparison to baseline of the study. However, in the placebo group, there was only significant reduction in the headache duration (P = 0.001), and there was no significant reduction in headache intensity and frequency. After 6 months, there was a significant reduction in headache intensity and duration in both groups (P < 0.05), but only in the memantine group, headache frequency was significantly reduced (P < 0.001). Finally, patients in the memantine group had less headache intensity, frequency, and duration after 6 months of taking memantin than the placebo group.(P < 0.05 for all).

The administration of memantine for 6 months could significantly lower the severity, duration, and frequency of PTHs.