Effectiveness of Oral Magnesium in Chronic and Episodic Migraine
Abstract
Background: Chronic migraine (≥15 headache days/month) and episodic migraine (<15 headache days) are disabling neurological disorders affecting more than a billion people worldwide. Current therapies, such as beta blockers and antiepileptics, may be effective but are often poorly tolerated. Magnesium is essential for vascular and brain function and has been suggested as a safe, low-cost alternative for migraine prophylaxis. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of oral magnesium supplementation in reducing migraine frequency and intensity. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar for randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews. Studies comparing oral magnesium, alone or in combination, with placebo or standard therapy were included. Results: Seven studies were identified, comprising three RCTs and four systematic reviews. Findings consistently showed that magnesium supplementation reduces migraine frequency and pain severity, although with some heterogeneity across trials. Conclusion: Oral magnesium is a safe, inexpensive, and well-tolerated option that may serve as an adjunct or alternative to conventional prophylactic treatment, though further high-quality trials are required to strengthen the evidence.
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