What is Axert?
Axert is a migraine medication that narrows the blood vessels surrounding the brain. The medicine reduces the substances that cause migraines, headache pain, nausea, and sensitivity to sound and light.Axert can be used to treat migraines among adults as well as adolescents aged 12 or older. The medicine is only effective for a migraine headache that has already started. This medicine will not reduce headaches or prevent them.Axert is not recommended for treating a migraine headache, a tension headache, or a headache causing loss of motion on one side. Only use Axert if your doctor has confirmed that you have migraine headaches.This medication guide does not list all possible uses of Axert.
Side effects of Axert
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy: difficulty breathing, hives, swelling in your lips, face, throat, or tongueDo not use Axert if you experience heart attack symptoms. These include: pain in your chest, pressure or pain, spreading pain to the jaw, shoulder, or neck, nausea, and feeling faint.
Axert may cause serious side effects. Axert should be stopped immediately, and you must call your doctor if:
- The fingers and toes may appear pale, blue, or even numb.
- Blood circulation problems: leg cramps, leg pains, hip or knee pain, or numbness in the legs
- Serotonin levels are high in your body. You may experience agitation, hallucinations, and fever.
- Stomach or intestinal issues: severe abdominal pain, especially after eating; fever; nausea and vomiting; diarrhea; constipation; or bloody or black stools.
Axert side effects may include:
- Dry Mouth
- Nausea, vomiting;
- The sensation of numbness or burning
- Dizziness, drowsiness,
- Mild headache (not migraine).
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Report side effects by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Similar/related drugs
Ubrelvy, Botox, Diclofenac, Celecoxib, Sumatriptan, Metoclopramide, and Reglan
Warning
Axert should not be used if your blood pressure is uncontrolled, you suffer from heart disease, have a history of heart attacks and strokes, or have circulatory problems that lead to a shortage of blood in the body.Axert should not be taken within 24 hours of using any other migraine headache medication.Do not use Axert if you experience chest pressure or pain, if the pain spreads to your shoulder or jaw, or if nausea or sweating is present.
Before you take this drug
Axert should not be taken if:
- High blood pressure that is uncontrolled or severe;
- Heart problems, past and present
- History of coronary artery disease (chest pain), angina (heart attack, stroke, or "mini-stroke")
- A blood vessel disorder, or problems with circulation that result in a shortage of blood within the body,
- A headache that is different from your normal migraine headaches.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Axert will be safe for you:
- A sulfa drug allergy;
- Liver or kidney disease
- Kidney disease
- High blood pressure is a sign of a disorder in the heart's rhythm.
- Risk factors for coronary artery diseases (such as menopause or diabetes; being overweight or obese; high blood pressure; high cholesterol; having a history of heart problems in the family; or older age and male)
This medicine is unknown to cause harm to an unborn child. Inform your doctor of any pregnancy or plans to get pregnant.It's not known if almotriptan can pass into breastmilk or harm nursing babies. You should tell your doctor that you are breastfeeding a child.This medicine should not be given to children under the age of 12.
How to take Axert?
If you experience any side effects, your doctor will likely prescribe Axert to treat them quickly.Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended on the label. Take this medication only as prescribed. Do not exceed or prolong taking of recommended doses or duration.As soon as migraine symptoms appear, take Axert.Take a second pill two hours later if your headache returns after taking the tablet. Almotriptan should not be taken more than twice in a 24-hour period. Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve before you take any additional tablets.If your headache persists after you have taken the first Axert, call your doctor.Do not exceed the recommended dosage. Migraine headache medication can worsen headaches if taken in excess.If you experience more than four headaches within a month (30 days), contact your doctor. Inform your doctor immediately if you notice that this medication is not working well to treat your migraines.Electrocardiographs (also called EKGs) may be required to check your heart's function if you are using Axert for a long time. Your doctor can then determine whether or not you are still safe to continue taking this medication.Keep away from heat, moisture, and light.
What happens if I miss the dose?
Axert does not require a schedule of daily doses because it is only used when needed. If your symptoms don't improve after taking Axert, call your doctor.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.
Avoid this
Axert should not be taken within 24 hours of taking another migraine headache medication.
- Axert, rizatriptan (also known as sumatriptan), zolmitriptan, and other medicines
- Ergot medicine: dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, and methylergonovine.
Axert can impair thinking and reactions. You should be careful when driving or doing anything else that involves being alert.
Interaction with other drug
Axert can lead to a buildup of high serotonin levels in the body. This condition is called "serotonin syndrome" and can be deadly. You should tell your doctor if:
- Medicine to treat depression
- Medicine to treat a mental disorder
- A narcotic medication (opioid);
- Medicine to reduce nausea and vomiting.
Inform your doctor of all medications you take, including those you stop taking, within the last 14 days.
- Ritonavir;
- Antifungal medicine—itraconazole, ketoconazole,
- MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection and phenelzine as well as rasagiline, selegiline and tranylcypromine may all act to combat MAO activity and inhibit neurodegeneration.
The list below is not exhaustive. Almotriptan may also interact with other drugs, such as prescription or over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. This medication guide does not list all interactions.
