Almotriptan

Almotriptan is a prescription medication used to treat migraine headaches in adults and in adolescents who are at least 12 years old .

• Almotriptan is available under various brand names: Axert 

Common side effects of almotriptan include:

• Dry mouth.
• Nausea, vomiting.
• Numbness, tingling, or burning sensation.
• Dizziness, drowsiness; or
• Mild headache (not a migraine).

Serious side effects of almotriptan include:

• Hives. 
• Difficult breathing. 
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Numbness or tingling and a pale or blue-colored appearance in the fingers or toes.
• Blood circulation problems--weakness or heavy feeling in the legs, burning pain in the feet, leg cramps, hip pain, numbness or tingling in the legs.
• High levels of serotonin in the body--agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting; or
• Stomach or intestinal problems--severe stomach pain (especially after eating), fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloody or tarry stools.

Rare side effects of almotriptan include:

• None

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in the chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur because of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to fda at 1-800-fda-1088.

Adult and pediatric dosage

Tablet

• 6.25 mg
• 12.5 mg

Migraine

Adult dosage

• Oral: 12.5 mg as a single dose; if symptoms persist or return, may repeat dose after above 2 hours. 
• Maximum: 12.5 mg/dose; 25 mg per 24 hours

Pediatric dosage

• Children above 12 years and adolescents:
• Oral: initial: 6.25 to 12.5 mg in a single dose; if headache returns, may repeat the dose after 2 hours. 
• Maximum 2 doses/day; maximum daily dose: 25 mg/day. 

Dosage considerations – should be given as follows: 

• See “dosages”

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Almotriptan has severe interactions with the following drugs:
  • Bromocriptine
  • Cabergoline
  • Dihydroergotamine
  • Dihydroergotamine intranasal
  • Eletriptan
  • Ergoloid mesylates
  • Ergotamine
  • Frovatriptan
  • Methylergonovine
  • Naratriptan
  • Procarbazine
  • Rizatriptan
  • Sumatriptan
  • Sumatriptan intranasal
  • Zolmitriptan
• Almotriptan has serious interactions with at least 35 other drugs.
• Almotriptan has moderate interactions with at least 140 other drugs.
• Almotriptan has minor interactions with the following drugs:
  • Amobarbital
  • Duloxetine
  • Escitalopram
  • Eslicarbazepine acetate
  • Fluoxetine
  • Milnacipran
  • Nefazodone
  • Paroxetine
  • Sertraline
  • Trazodone
  • Venlafaxine

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the rxlist drug interaction checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to almotriptan
• Severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• Past or present heart problems.
• History of coronary artery disease, angina, (chest pain), heart attack, or stroke, including "mini-stroke”.
• A blood vessel disorder or circulation problems that cause a lack of blood supply within the body; or
• A headache that seems different from your usual migraine headaches
• Children under 12 years of age

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-term effects

• See “What are side effects associated with using Almotriptan?”

Long-term effects

• See “What are side effects associated with using Almotriptan?”

Cautions

• You should not use this medicine if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart problems, a history of heart attack or stroke, or circulation problems that cause a lack of blood supply within the body.
• Do not take almotriptan within 24 hours before or after using another migraine headache medicine.
• Stop using almotriptan and get emergency medical help if you have: chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating, and a light-headed feeling.
• Do not take almotriptan within 24 hours before or 24 hours after using another migraine headache medicine, including:
• medicines like almotriptan--eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, and others; or
• ergot medicine--dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine.
• Almotriptan may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Pregnancy and lactation

• It is not known whether almotriptan will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
• Lactation
  • It is not known whether almotriptan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.