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Condition

Postdural Puncture Headache

Postdural puncture headache follows a spinal tap, spinal anesthesia, or epidural, when a small hole in the membrane around the spinal cord leaks fluid, lowers pressure, and brings pain that eases lying down. Caffeine has the most research behind it, and one small trial of 94 people having spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery found fewer headaches when it was paired with acetaminophen. Since that is a single study, the evidence is limited.

Sources: PMID 39371383

Supplements studied
1
Graded outcomes
1
Trials
1
People studied
94

Evidence by supplement

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

1 supplement

Caffeine

Caffeine: outcomes studied for Postdural Puncture Headache
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Headaches

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect1 study94 people

Studies that measured headaches

Key findings

  • HeadachesCaffeineImproves (the measure goes down)

The Post-Dural Puncture Headache Supportive Care protocol

2 primary supplements · 5 supporting supplements

  • Caffeine300–500 mg daily (oral or IV); coffee equivalent 3–5 cups strong coffee
  • Hydration/Fluids2–3 liters of fluids daily

See the full protocol

Studies cited

1 study from PubMed

  1. The Prophylactic Effect of Acetaminophen and Caffeine on Post Dural Puncture Headache after Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Section: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial.Iran J Med Sci · PMID 39371383

Supplement stack for Postdural Puncture Headache