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Uses

What is almotriptan used for?

Almotriptan is commonly used for the treatment of migraine with or without aura. An aura may occur before or during a migraine attack, and can include sensory problems like seeing flashing lights or zigzag lines, having trouble speaking, or experiencing a tingling sensation. 

Almotriptan may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

How does almotriptan work (mechanism of action)?

Almotriptan is in a class of medicines known as triptans. Triptans are medicines used to treat migraine. During a migraine attack, blood vessels in the brain widen, causing pain and swelling. Triptans work by narrowing these blood vessels, which eases the pain. They also block nerve signals that cause symptoms like nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.

How is almotriptan supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Axert

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 6.25 mg oral tablets
  • 12.5 mg oral tablets

How should I store almotriptan?

Almotriptan should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of almotriptan?

The most common side effects of almotriptan are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Dry mouth
  • Numbness, tingling, or burning in your arms, feet, or face
  • Dizziness 
  • Sleepiness
  • Headache

There may be other side effects of almotriptan that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of almotriptan?

While less common, the most serious side effects of almotriptan are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Almotriptan may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking almotriptan and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Chest Pain, Heart Attack, and Stroke. Almotriptan can cause chest pain, which can be a symptom of a heart attack. The risk of chest pain is higher in people who have or at risk for heart disease. Almotriptan may also increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. Do not take almotriptan if you have certain types of heart problems or have had a recent heart attack without talking to your healthcare provider. Stop taking almotriptan and get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
  • Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
  • Sudden weakness on one side of your body
  • Sudden and severe headache
  • Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech

Heart Rhythm Changes. Almotriptan may cause heart rhythm problems that can lead to an irregular heartbeat and fainting. In rare cases, this may cause the heart to suddenly stop beating (cardiac arrest). Some people have a higher risk of this, including people with existing heart disease or who take other medicines that affect the heart. Get emergency help if you have any of the following signs of heart rhythm changes.

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or fainting
  • Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast, slow, pounding or skipping heartbeat

Blood Flow Problems. Almotriptan can reduce blood flow to many areas of the body, which can be serious. Get emergency medical help if you have any of the following signs of circulation problems.

  • Pain or cramping in the hips or legs
  • Leg muscle tightness or heaviness
  • Burning or aching pain in the feet or toes
  • Weakness, numbness, or tingling in the legs
  • Changes in color or sensation in your fingers and toes (Raynaud’s syndrome)

Medicine Overuse Headache. Taking almotriptan more often than prescribed may cause your headaches to happen more often or to get worse. This is called medicine overuse headache or rebound headache. Tell your healthcare provider if your headaches are getting worse.

Stomach or Intestine Problems. Almotriptan can cause stomach or intestinal problems. Get medical care if you have any of the following symptoms. 

  • Stomach pain that is sudden or severe
  • Stomach pain after eating
  • Weight loss
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation or diarrhea, especially bloody diarrhea
  • Fever 

Serotonin Syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is when there is too much of a substance called serotonin in your body. Almotriptan can cause serotonin syndrome when it is taken alone or with other medicines that affect serotonin. This condition can be life-threatening. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome.

  • Sweating, fever, or flushing
  • Confusion
  • Feeling agitated or restless
  • Seeing or hearing unusual things
  • Dizziness
  • Fast or racing heartbeat
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Muscle twitching, stiffness, or tremor
  • Seizures

Increased Blood Pressure (Hypertension). Almotriptan may increase your blood pressure or make it worse if you have a history of high blood pressure. Call your healthcare provider if your blood pressure increases while taking this medicine.

If you measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 mm Hg or higher, get medical attention right away. Increases in blood pressure may not be noticeable but look out for any of the following symptoms of severely high blood pressure.

  • Sudden severe headache
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Trouble breathing
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Blurry or other changes to vision
  • Anxiety
  • Buzzing in the ears
  • Nosebleed
  • Feeling of skipped heartbeats

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use almotriptan?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take almotriptan.

  • Almotriptan
  • Axert
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific almotriptan products they stock.

Drug Interactions. Almotriptan should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking almotriptan, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Heart or Blood Vessel Problems. Almotriptan should not be taken if you have certain types of heart or blood vessel problems, such as any of the following.

Certain Types of Migraine. Almotriptan should not be taken if you have a type of migraine called hemiplegic migraine (a type of severe migraine that causes an inability to move on one side) or basilar migraine (a rare type of migraine that starts from the base of the brain). Almotriptan is not recommended in people with these migraine types because of a higher risk of stroke. Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure what type of migraine you have.

Ischemic Bowel Disease. Ischemic bowel disease is a condition where you have intestinal damage caused by blood flow problems. Almotriptan can make this condition worse. It should not be taken by people who have a history of this condition. 

What should I know about almotriptan before using it?

Do not take almotriptan unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share almotriptan with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep almotriptan out of the reach of children.

Almotriptan is not used to prevent or reduce the number of migraine headaches.

People who are 65 and older can be at greater risk for some side effects from almotriptan. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.

Almotriptan can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how almotriptan affects you.

You should keep a journal (or use a mobile app) to keep track of migraine attacks, along with when you take almotriptan. This will help you and your healthcare provider understand how well almotriptan works for you.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using almotriptan?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if almotriptan is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Heart problems or stroke (or family history of heart problems or stroke)
  • High blood pressure
  • Blood vessel problems
  • Stomach or intestinal problems
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney problems
  • Liver problems

Also, tell your healthcare provider if you smoke or if you have reached menopause.

Sulfa Allergy. Some people who have a sulfa allergy may also be allergic to almotriptan. A sulfa allergy is a rash or more serious reaction to sulfa, or sulfonamide, medicines. Sulfa medicines include sulfamethoxazole, sulfadiazine silver, or sulfasalazine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any allergies to medicines. Your healthcare provider can help you decide if it is safe for you to take almotriptan.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how almotriptan could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if almotriptan passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does almotriptan interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between almotriptan and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect almotriptan. The risk of drowsiness and dizziness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking almotriptan. Also, alcohol can trigger migraine attacks in some people. Consult your healthcare provider for more information and medical advice. 

Does almotriptan interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking almotriptan.

  • Any other type of triptan, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex and others), rizatriptan (Maxalt), and others, which is a medicine commonly used to treat migraine
  • An ergot, such as ergotamine (Ergomar) or dihydroergotamine (Migranal or Trudhesa), which is a medicine used to treat migraine
  • A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety and depression
  • Ketoconazole or itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), which is a medicine used for fungal infections
  • A medicine used for HIV or AIDS, such as ritonavir (Norvir)

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of almotriptan. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with almotriptan. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally take too much almotriptan?

If you or someone else has taken too much almotriptan, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of almotriptan?

Almotriptan is meant to be used only when needed. Take it as your healthcare provider recommends. Do not take double or extra doses. 

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