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| Other drug names: | A-Am An-Az B C-Ch Ci-Cz D-Dh Di-Dz E F G H I-J K-L M-Mh Mi-Mz N-Nh Ni-Nz O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q-R S-Sn So-Sz T-To Tp-Tz U-V W-Z 0-9 |
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Some commonly used brand names are:
In the U.S.--
Zolmitriptan (zohl-mi-TRIP-tan) is used to treat severe migraine headaches. Many people find that their headaches go away completely after they take zolmitriptan. Other people find that their headaches are much less painful, and that they are able to go back to their normal activities even though their headaches are not completely gone. Zolmitriptan often relieves symptoms that occur together with a migraine headache, such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and sensitivity to sound.
Zolmitriptan is not an ordinary pain reliever. It should not be used to relieve any kind of pain other than migraine headaches.
Zolmitriptan may cause serious side effects in some people, especially people who have heart or blood vessel disease. Be sure that you discuss with your doctor the risks of using this medicine as well as the good that it can do.
Zolmitriptan is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For zolmitriptan, the following should be considered:
Allergies--Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to zolmitriptan. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy--Zolmitriptan has not been studied in pregnant women. However, in some animal studies, zolmitriptan caused harmful effects to the fetus. These unwanted effects usually occurred when zolmitriptan was given in amounts that were large enough to cause harmful effects in the mother.
Breast-feeding--Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding. Mothers who are taking this medicine and who wish to breast-feed should discuss this with their doctor.
Children--There is no specific information comparing use of zolmitriptan in children with use in other age groups.
Adolescents--There is no specific information comparing use of zolmitriptan in teenagers with use in other age groups.
Older adults--There is no specific information comparing use of zolmitriptan in patients older than 65 years of age with use in younger adults.
Other medicines--Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine, especially other prescription medicine for migraine headaches, or if you smoke tobacco.
When you are taking zolmitriptan, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking the following:
Other medical problems--The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of zolmitriptan. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Do not use zolmitriptan for a headache that is different from your usual migraines . Instead, check with your doctor.
To relieve your migraine as soon as possible, use zolmitriptan as soon as the headache pain begins. Even if you get warning signals of a coming migraine (an aura), you should wait until the headache pain starts before using zolmitriptan.
Lying down in a quiet, dark room for a while after you use this medicine may help relieve your migraine.
Ask your doctor ahead of time about other medicine you might take if zolmitriptan does not work. After you take the other medicine, check with your doctor as soon as possible. Headaches that are not relieved by zolmitriptan are sometimes caused by conditions that need other treatment.
If you feel much better after a dose of zolmitriptan, but your headache comes back or gets worse after a while, you may use more zolmitriptan. However, use this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, and do not use it more often, than directed . Using too much zolmitriptan may increase the chance of side effects.
Your doctor may direct you to take another medicine to help prevent headaches. It is important that you follow your doctor's directions, even if your headaches continue to occur . Headache-preventing medicines may take several weeks to start working. Even after they do start working, your headaches may not go away completely. However, your headaches should occur less often, and they should be less severe and easier to relieve. This can reduce the amount of zolmitriptan or other pain medicines that you need. If you do not notice any improvement after several weeks of headache-preventing treatment, check with your doctor.
Dosing--The dose of zolmitriptan will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of zolmitriptan. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Storage--To store this medicine:
Drinking alcoholic beverages can make headaches worse or cause new headaches to occur. People who suffer from severe headaches should probably avoid alcoholic beverages, especially during a headache.
Some people feel drowsy or dizzy during or after a migraine, or after taking zolmitriptan to relieve a migraine. As long as you are feeling drowsy or dizzy, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert .
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur :
More common
Chest pain (severe); heaviness, tightness, or pressure in chest and/or neck; sensation of burning, warmth, heat, numbness, tightness, or tingling
Less common or rare
Abdominal pain (severe); changes in facial skin color; cough or hoarseness; diarrhea; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever or chills; loss of appetite; lower back or side pain; nausea; painful or difficult urination; puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, or lips; shortness of breath, troubled breathing, tightness in chest, and/or wheezing; skin rash, hives, and/or itching; weakness
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. Some of the following effects, such as nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dizziness, and general feeling of illness or tiredness, often occur during or after a migraine, even when zolmitriptan has not been used. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common
Dizziness; nausea; sleepiness; unusual tiredness or muscle weakness
Less common
Agitation; anxiety; depression; discomfort in jaw, mouth, or throat; difficulty in swallowing; dry mouth; fainting; heartburn; itching of the skin; large nonelevated blue or purplish patches in the skin; muscle aches; pounding heartbeat; sudden large increase in frequency and quantity of urine; sweating; swelling of face, fingers, feet and/or lower legs
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Developed: 04/03/98
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