Almotriptan

Generic name: almotriptan [ AL-moe-TRIP-tan ]
Brand name: Axert
Dosage form: oral tablet (12.5 mg; 6.25 mg)
Drug class: Antimigraine agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 14, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is almotriptan?

Almotriptan is a headache medicine that narrows blood vessels around the brain. Almotriptan also reduces substances in the body that can trigger headache pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other migraine symptoms.

Almotriptan is used to treat migraine headaches in adults and in adolescents who are at least 12 years old. Almotriptan will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

Almotriptan should not be used to treat a common tension headache, a headache that causes loss of movement on one side of your body, or any headache that seems to be different from your usual migraine headaches. Use almotriptan only if your condition has been confirmed by a doctor as migraine headaches.

Almotriptan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Almotriptan side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using almotriptan and get emergency medical help if you have heart attack symptoms: chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating, and feeling light-headed.

Almotriptan may cause serious side effects. Stop using almotriptan and call your doctor at once if you have:

• numbness or tingling and a pale or blue-colored appearance in your fingers or toes;

• blood circulation problems--weakness or heavy feeling in your legs, burning pain in your feet, leg cramps, hip pain, numbness or tingling in your 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.

Common side effects of almotriptan may include:

• dry mouth;

• nausea, vomiting;

• numbness, tingling, or burning sensation;

• dizziness, drowsiness; or

• mild headache (not a migraine).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

You should not use almotriptan 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.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take almotriptan if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• 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.

To make sure almotriptan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a sulfa drug allergy;

• liver or kidney disease;

• kidney disease;

• high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder; or

• risk factors for coronary artery disease (such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, having a family history of heart disease, or being older than 40 and a man).

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether almotriptan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medicine to anyone under 12 years old.

How should I take almotriptan?

Your doctor may want to give your first dose of almotriptan in a hospital or clinic setting to quickly treat any serious side effects that occur.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take almotriptan as soon as you notice migraine symptoms.

After taking a tablet: If your headache goes away and comes back, take a second tablet 2 hours after the first. Do not take more than 2 tablets of almotriptan tablets in 24 hours. If your symptoms have not improved, contact your doctor before taking any more tablets.

Call your doctor if your headache does not go away at all after taking the first almotriptan tablet.

Never use more than your recommended dose. Overuse of migraine headache medicine can make headaches worse.

Contact your doctor if you have more than four headaches in one month (30 days). Tell your doctor if this medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your migraine attacks.

If you use almotriptan long-term, your heart function may need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG). This will help your doctor determine if it is still safe for you to take almotriptan.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Almotriptan dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Migraine:

Initial dose: 6.25 mg or 12.5 mg orally as a single dose
Repeat dose: If headache is relieved, but returns, may repeat with 1 dose orally provided there is a minimum interval of 2 hours between doses.
Maximum daily dose: 25 mg

Comments:
-The safety of treating an average of more than 4 migraines per month has not been established.
-The 12.5 mg dose tends to be more effective in adults, however as individuals may vary in their response, the dose should be individualized.
-The effectiveness of a second dose has not been established in clinical trials.

Use: For the acute treatment of migraine attacks in patients with a history of migraine with or without aura.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Migraine:

Adolescents (12 to 17 years):
Initial dose: 6.25 mg or 12.5 mg orally as a single dose
Repeat dose: If headache is relieved, but returns, may repeat 1 dose orally provided there is a minimum interval of 2 hours between doses.
Maximum daily dose: 25 mg

Comments:
-The safety of treating an average of more than 4 migraines per month has not been established.
-Individuals may vary in their response, the dose should be individualized.
-The efficacy in adolescents on migraine-associated symptoms (nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia) and the effectiveness of a second dose have not been established in clinical trials.

Use: For the acute treatment of migraine headache pain in patients with a history of migraine attacks with or without aura usually lasting 4 hours or more when untreated.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since almotriptan is used as needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after using almotriptan.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using almotriptan?

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.

What other drugs will affect almotriptan?

Taking almotriptan while you are using certain other medicines can cause high levels of serotonin to build up in your body, a condition called "serotonin syndrome," which can be fatal. Tell your doctor if you also use:

• medicine to treat depression;

• medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder;

• a narcotic (opioid) medication; or

• medicine to prevent nausea and vomiting.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you have used within the past 14 days, and all medicines you start or stop using during your treatment with almotriptan, especially:

• ritonavir;

• antifungal medicine--itraconazole, ketoconazole; or

• an MAO inhibitor--isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with almotriptan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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