How Do Serotonin 5HT-receptor Agonists Work?

Serotonin 5-HT-receptor agonists are drugs used for treating moderately severe to severe migraine headaches. 

Migraine occurs when a specific nerve in the blood vessels sends pain signals to the brain. As a result, inflammatory substances get released into the nerves and blood vessels of the head, causing dilation and inflammation of these blood vessels.

There are two types of antimigraine agents:

Abortive agents: These agents abort an established migraine attack. 

Preventive antimigraine agents: These agents are given prophylactically to reduce the number of migraine attacks.

Serotonin 5-HT-receptor agonists work as abortive agents. Abortive agents constrict the blood vessels and prevent inflammation by stimulating 5-HT-receptors in the brain. 5-HT-receptor agonists bind to the 5-HT-receptors in the brain and inhibit the release of serotonin to reduce pain, nausea, and other symptoms of migraine.

Serotonin 5-HT-receptor agonists are used for treating moderately severe to severe migraine headaches. They are also indicated for treating hypoactive sexual desire disorder.

The most common side effects of serotonin 5-HT-receptor agonists include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• Chest, throat, or jaw tightness/discomfort
• Worsening of head pain
• Palpitation
• Flushing
• Chills
• Vertigo
• Weakness
• Abdominal pain/discomfort
• Dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing)
• Dyspepsia (indigestion)
• Back pain
• Asthenia (decreased muscle strength)

The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.

Generic and brand names of serotonin 5-HT-receptor agonists include:

• Addyi
• Almotriptan
• Amerge
• Axert
• Eletriptan
• Flibanserin
• Frova
• Frovatriptan
• Imitrex
• Imitrex Intranasal
• Imitrex Statdose
• Maxalt
• Maxalt MLT
• Migard
• Naproxen/sumatriptan
• Naratriptan
• Onzetra Xsail
• Qtrypta
• Relpax
• Rizatriptan
• Sumatriptan
• Sumatriptan intranasal
• Sumatriptan transdermal
• Tosymra
• Treximet
• Zecuity
• Zembrace SymTouch
• Zolmitriptan
• Zolmitriptan transdermal
• Zomig
• Zomig rapimelt
• Zomig-ZMT