Background: Migraine is characterized as a strong migraine attack with aura, presenting signs and symptoms such as nausea and vomiting, and when intensified and out of control it is called complicated migraine (CM). In addition, CM causes biopsychosocial problems to the patient, causing difficulties or inability to perform functions, such as work, among others. Objectives: To analyze the number of hospitalizations for CM in northeastern Brazil from 2010 to 2020. Design and setting: Cross-sectional, descriptive and observational epidemiological study conducted in the city of São Luís (MA), Brazil. Methods: The source of the data was the Authorizations for Hospital Admission by CM, in northeastern Brazil, between January 2010 and December 2020, by the DATASUS system, using the keywords “treatment of complicated migraine”. Results: The northeast region showed a total of 12,602 hospitalizations for CM treatment, with the state of Maranhão accounting for most hospitalizations (3323). In the northeast, the year 2019 showed the highest prevalence (2260), while the year 2010 showed the lowest prevalence (517). Moreover, in the northeast region there was a total expenditure of 525,428.01 dollars on hospital services. The state of Pernambuco spent the most on hospital services for the treatment of CM (168,934.85 dollars). Conclusion: In this study, the northeastern region presented a significant increase in the cases of CM in the period studied. In addition, the state of Maranhão was the most affected by CM and the state of Pernambuco generated most of the expenses for the treatment of this pathology.