Acute Migraine Rescue Treatment

Severe, prolonged migraines don’t always respond to medication. Advanced IV therapies may help interrupt the cycle and provide relief.

Acute Migraine Rescue Treatment in Los Angeles

Our IV-based migraine rescue treatments, including advanced infusion therapies, are designed to provide rapid relief when standard medications fail.

  • “I NEED HELP NOW!” situations
  • Migraine lasting 72+ hours (status migrainosus)
  • Frequent migraines (10–15 per month)
  • Symptoms not responding to medications
  • Nausea, vomiting, or dehydration
  • Risk of medication overuse headaches

When a Migraine Becomes Neurologically Entrenched

Chronic migraines treatment shifts from acute rescue to prophylactic reset. Migraines are complex neurological events involving:

  • Serotonin receptor fluctuations
  • Neurovascular changes
  • Trigeminal nerve activation
  • Central sensitization
  • Inflammatory signaling

Once a migraine cycle becomes established, especially in chronic or treatment-resistant cases, it may require more than oral triptans or standard rescue medications.

Neither Ketamine or DHE Ketamine Only + DHE Only DHE + Ketamine Sphenopalatine Block
•Intravenous (IV) hydration
•IV Magnesium
•IV Valproic acid
•IV Anti-nausea medicines
•IV steroids
•Non-opiate IV pain medicines
•Intravenous (IV) hydration
•IV Magnesium
•IV Anti-nausea medicines
•IV steroids
•Non-opiate IV pain medicines
•Intravenous (IV) hydration
•IV Magnesium
•IV Anti-nausea medicines
•IV steroids
•Non-opiate IV pain medicines
•Intravenous (IV) hydration
•IV Magnesium
•IV Anti-nausea medicines
•IV steroids
•Non-opiate IV pain medicines
This is a procedure that can block nerve
impulses responsible for brain blood
vessel dilation and help reduce pain quickly.
This protocol is ideal
if:
Client not off
“Triptans” for >24hrs
(Cannot have DHE)
Ketamine &
associated sedation
are not wanted.
This Protocol is ideal if:
Client not off “Triptans”
for >24hrs & is willing to
have ketamine and the
sedation that
accompanies it.
This Protocol is ideal if:
Non-sedative option is wanted.
Client can be available
2-3 days with gaps of
6hrs between infusions
each day. The multi-day
DHE protocol acts as a
“bridge therapy.” It
provides powerful pain
relief and suppresses the
withdrawal headache
while the patient’s
down-regulated
receptors have time to
recover and reset. It’s
possible a client’s
standard oral
preventative and
abortive medications
can actually start
working again.
This protocol is ideal
as it targets central
pain windup as well
blood vessel constriction
known to reduce headache severity.
This procedure involves instilling
lidocaine solution into the back of
the nose very near the sphenopalatine
ganglion and slowing nerve transmission.

DHE: A Targeted Approach for Severe or Persistent Migraine

Dihydroergotamine (DHE) has been used for decades in the treatment of acute and refractory migraine.

Administered intravenously in a structured clinical setting, DHE works by:

  • Acting on serotonin receptors involved in migraine pathways
  • Constricting dilated blood vessels linked to migraine pain
  • Interrupting prolonged migraine cycles
  • Reducing central pain signaling

 

DHE infusion therapy is often considered for:

  • Chronic migraines
  • Status migrainosus (migraines lasting longer than 72 hours)
  • Migraines unresponsive to triptans
  • Recurrent emergency-room-level headaches

 

How These Treatments Work

  • DHE: Helps shut down the migraine generator
  • Ketamine: Also can be used helps reduce central pain amplification in certain situations.

 

The right treatment depends on your symptoms, history, and clinical evaluation.

What Treatment Involves

Because migraine infusion therapy involves potent medications, treatment is conducted in a medically supervised setting.

Before treatment, we evaluate:

  • Your situation together with your neurologist
  • Cardiovascular history
  • Blood pressure stability
  • Medication interactions
  • Migraine history and frequency
  • Previous treatment response

     

DHE is not appropriate for everyone. Screening is essential.

Migraine Rescue FAQ

Ketamine or DHE may be considered for:

  • Acute migraine attacks

  • Chronic migraines

  • Status migrainosus (multi-day migraines)

  • Migraines not responding to standard rescue medications

 

Consult with us to determine which treatment would be best in your situation.

How fast can DHE vs ketamine relieve a migraine?

With ketamine, it’s mostly a maintenance treatment. Many patients experience improvement during or shortly after infusion.

DHE is more commonly used in migraine rescue situations, and is not sedating.

Is this used for active migraines?

Yes. Ketamine is commonly used as a rescue treatment for ongoing migraine attacks.

How is this different from standard migraine rescue medication?

Ketamine works centrally on pain signaling rather than vascular constriction, making it effective when triptans fail.

Why Southern California Infusion Therapy?
  • Medical-grade IV ketamine
  • Experienced migraine and pain management team
  • Rapid-access rescue treatments
  • Continuous safety monitoring
  • Calm, low-stimulus treatment environment
Does insurance cover migraine rescue infusions?

Not at this time. We do offer flexible monthly payment options through Advance Care or Wisetack.

Can ketamine help stop multi-day migraines?

Yes. Ketamine is often used for status migrainosus, when migraines persist for days.

For acute migraine attacks, DHE may be more suitable for immediate relief. Specific criteria apply. Consult us to determine which would be right for you.

Schedule Migraine Rescue Treatment

If migraines are severe, prolonged, or no longer responding to medication, IV ketamine therapy or DHE may help provide relief or rescue.