Drug Notes

Naratriptan (By mouth)

Naratriptan (nar-a-TRIP-tan)

Treats migraine headaches.

Brand Name(s):

Amerge

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• Swallow the tablet with water or other liquid.
• If your headache comes back or you do not get complete relief, wait at least 4 hours before you take another dose. Do not take more than 5 milligrams (mg) in 24 hours.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Use naratriptan only when you have a migraine. This medicine is not used on a regular schedule.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use this medicine if you have taken another migraine headache medicine in the past 24 hours, such as another triptan or an ergot medicine.
• Some foods and medicines can affect how naratriptan works. Tell your doctor if you are using medicine for depression or an MAO inhibitor.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, high blood pressure, angina, diabetes, bowel disease, or a family history of heart disease. Tell your doctor if you have a history of blood circulation problems or if you smoke.
• This medicine should be used only for classic or common migraine headaches. Do not use for any other kind of headache or pain.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Higher risk for abnormal heart rhythm, heart attack, angina, or stroke
  • Tightness or discomfort in your chest, neck, or jaw
  • Spasms in the blood vessels, such as Raynaud syndrome
  • Serotonin syndrome
• Your headaches may become worse if you use headache medicine for 10 or more days per month.
• This medicine may make you dizzy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Anxiety, restlessness, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, twitching, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there
• Chest pain, especially if it spreads to your arms, jaw, back, or neck
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Numbness or tingling in your hands, arms, legs, or feet, color changes in your fingers or toes
• Severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
• Sudden severe headache (other than the one being treated)
• Tightness or discomfort in your chest, neck, or jaw
• Vision changes that are not part of a usual migraine

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017