Drug Notes

Almotriptan (By mouth)

Almotriptan (al-moe-TRIP-tan)

Treats migraine headaches.

Brand Name(s):

Axert

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. Use almotriptan only when you have a migraine.
• If your headache improves but then comes back, you may take a second dose. Wait at least 2 hours before you take the second dose.
• If your headache does not improve at all after the first dose, do not take a second dose. Call your doctor.
• Do not use more than 2 doses in any 24-hour period.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• 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 take almotriptan within 24 hours of taking another migraine headache medicine, such as dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methysergide, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, or zolmitriptan.
• Some medicines can affect how almotriptan works. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
  • Erythromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, ritonavir
  • An MAO inhibitor
  • Medicine to treat depression, such as citalopram, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or if you smoke. Tell your doctor if you have ischemic bowel disease, or a family history of heart disease, heart attack, blood circulation problems, or stroke. Tell your doctor if you had an allergic reaction to sulfa drugs.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Increased risk for heart attack, angina, or stroke
  • Spasms in the blood vessels, including Raynaud syndrome
  • Serotonin syndrome (more likely if used with medicine to treat depression)
  • High blood pressure
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Your headaches may become worse if you use headache medicine for 10 or more days per month. 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, fast heartbeat, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there
• Blurred vision or other vision changes
• Chest pain or tightness in your throat, neck, or jaw, trouble breathing, unusual sweating, fainting
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat
• Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, problems with vision, speech, or walking
• Pale, cool, or blotchy skin, numbness or tingling in your hands or feet
• Severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting

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