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Almotriptan
Used to treat migraines. It helps to relieve headaches, pain and other symptoms of migraines, including sensitivity to light/sound, nausea, and vomiting. Prompt treatment allows you to get back to your normal routine and may decrease your need for other pain medications. Almotriptan does not prevent future migraines or reduce how often you may get a headache.
Almotriptan belongs to a group of drugs called triptans. It affects a certain natural chemical (serotonin) that constricts blood vessels in the brain. It may also block other pain pathways in the brain.....
Why is this medication prescribed?
Almotriptan is used to treat the symptoms of
migraine headaches (severe, throbbing headaches that sometimes are
accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to sound and light). Almotriptan
is in a class of medications called selective serotonin receptor
agonists. It works by narrowing blood vessels in the brain, stopping
pain signals from being sent to the brain, and stopping the release of
certain natural substances that cause pain, nausea, and other symptoms
of migraine. Almotriptan does not prevent migraine attacks.
How should this medicine be used?
Almotriptan comes as a tablet to take by
mouth. It is usually taken at the first sign of a migraine attack. If
your symptoms improve after you take almotriptan but return after 2
hours or longer, you may take a second tablet. However, if your
symptoms do not improve after you take almotriptan, do not take a
second tablet before calling your doctor. Do not take more than two
almotriptan tablets in any 24-hour period. Call your doctor if you need
to take almotriptan more than four times a month. Follow the directions
on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist
to explain any part you do not understand. Take almotriptan exactly as
directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than
prescribed by your doctor.
You may take your
first dose of almotriptan in a doctor's office or other medical
facility where you can be monitored for serious reactions.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking almotriptan,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to almotriptan or any other medications.
- do not take almotriptan within 24 hours of another selective
serotonin receptor agonist such as eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan
(Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan
(Imitrex), or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or ergot-type medications such as
bromocriptine (Parlodel), cabergoline (Dostinex), dihydroergotamine
(D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergoloid mesylates (Germinal, Hydergine),
ergonovine (Ergotrate), ergotamine (Bellergal-S, Cafergot, Ergomar,
Wigraine), methylergonovine (Methergine), methysergide (Sansert), and
pergolide (Permax).
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and
nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and
herbal products you are taking, have recently stopped taking, or plan
to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: antifungals such as
fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), and ketoconazole
(Nizoral); cimetidine (Tagamet); clarithromycin (Biaxin); cyclosporine
(Neoral, Sandimmune); danazol (Danocrine); delavirdine (Rescriptor);
diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin,
Erythrocin); HIV protease inhibitors such as indinavir (Crixivan) and
ritonavir (Norvir); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); metronidazole (Flagyl);
nefazodone (Serzone); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine
(Prozac, Sarafem, in Symbyax), fluvoxamine, paroxetine (Paxil), and
sertraline (Zoloft); selective serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitors (SNRIs) such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine
(Effexor); troleandomycin (TAO); and zafirlukast (Accolate). Also tell
your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the following medications
or if you have stopped taking them within the past two weeks: monoamine
oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine
(Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). Your
doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you
carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you smoke, if you or any family members have or
have ever had heart disease, if you have gone through menopause (change
of life), and if you have or have ever had a heart attack; angina
(chest pain); high blood pressure; high cholesterol; diabetes;
circulation problems; or kidney or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or
are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking almotriptan,
call your doctor.
- you should know that almotriptan may make you drowsy. Do not drive
a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects
you.
- talk to your doctor about your headache symptoms to make sure they
are caused by migraine. Almotriptan should not be used to treat
hemiplegic or basilar migraine or headaches caused by other conditions
(such as cluster headaches).
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Talk to your doctor about drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Almotriptan may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- upset stomach
- drowsiness
- headache
- dry mouth
Some side effects can be serious. The
following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them,
call your doctor immediately:
- rash or itching
- tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in the chest, throat, neck, and/or jaw
- slow or difficult speech
- dizziness or faintness
- weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
- severe stomach pain
- bloody diarrhea
- rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
- difficulty breathing
- paleness or blue color of the fingers and toes
- pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet
Almotriptan may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it came
in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room
temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the
bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer
needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your
medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison
control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not
breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
- tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in the chest, throat, neck, and/or jaw
- slow or difficult speech
- dizziness or faintness
- weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
- rapid, pounding, or irregular heart beat
- difficulty breathing
- headache
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
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