Story perspectives

New Migraine Guidelines Favor Nerve Blocks Over Opioids

12/11/2025

Summary

Story summary

A migraine guidelines update recommends targeted occipital nerve blocks over IV opioids for hospitalized patients.
Guidance suggests combining occipital nerve blocks with intravenous (IV) prochlorperazine to improve outcomes, per Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain.
Opioid use in emergency departments declined from 54% to 28% in recent years as practices shifted toward nerve blocks.
Researchers say trained personnel are needed to implement these methods across U.S. emergency departments.

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Story summary

A migraine guidelines update recommends targeted occipital nerve blocks over IV opioids for hospitalized patients.
Guidance suggests combining occipital nerve blocks with intravenous (IV) prochlorperazine to improve outcomes, per Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain.
Opioid use in emergency departments declined from 54% to 28% in recent years as practices shifted toward nerve blocks.
Researchers say trained personnel are needed to implement these methods across U.S. emergency departments.