Frovatriptan

What is Frovatriptan?

Frovatriptan, a headache medication that narrows the blood vessels surrounding the brain, is an effective treatment for migraines. Frovatriptan reduces the substances in your body that cause headache pain, nausea, and sensitivity to sound and light. Frovatriptan can be used to treat migraines. Frovatriptan can only be used to treat headaches that have already started. It does not reduce headaches, nor will it prevent them. Frovatriptan is not recommended for treating a tension headache or a headache causing loss of motion on one side. Only use frovatriptan if your doctor has confirmed that you have migraine headaches. Frovatriptan can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.

Side effects of Frovatriptan

If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.

Frovatriptan may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor immediately if:

• Sudden and severe stomach pain with bloody diarrhea
• Chest pain, shortness of breath and irregular heartbeats are symptoms to watch out for.
• A seizure (convulsions);
• Blood circulation problems in the legs or feet: cramps, tightness, heavy feeling, numbness, tingling or numbness, muscle weakness, pain or burning, cold sensation, color changes (pale, blue), hip pain
• Heart attack symptoms: chest pain or pressure; pain spreading into your jaw or shoulder; nausea; and sweating.
• High levels of serotonin can cause agitation, hallucinations, and fever.
• Increased blood pressure: severe headache, blurred or distorted vision, pounding of the neck, ears, or nose, anxiety;
• Signs of stroke: sudden numbness, weakness, or headache (especially one side), slurred or shaky speech, and problems with vision, balance, or coordination.

Freovatriptan side effects may include:

• Mild headache (not migraine);
• Feeling too hot or too cold
• Dry mouth, upset stomach
• Chest pain;
• Bone or joint pain
• Numbness in the fingers or toes
• Dizziness, tiredness;
• Flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling feeling)

There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Reaching out to the FDA can be done easily by dialing 1-800-FDA-1088 and reporting adverse events.

Warnings

Frovatriptan should not be taken if you have ever suffered from heart disease, coronary artery disease, blood circulation problems, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe liver disease or have suffered a heart attack or stroke in the past; also if your migraine headache seems different from others. Take frovatriptan for at least 24 hours after taking another migraine headache medication.

Before you take this drug

If you are allergic, have headaches that seem different than your normal migraine headaches, or have had:

• Heart problems or strokes (including "ministrokes")
• Angina (chest discomfort), problems with blood circulation, and a lack of blood supply to the heart are all symptoms of coronary artery diseases.
• Circulation issues that impact your legs, arms, stomach, intestines or kidneys;
• A heart disorder called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome;
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Severe liver disease

Tell your doctor about any of the following:

• Liver or kidney disease
• High blood pressure is a disorder of the heart rhythm.
• Risk factors for coronary heart disease include diabetes, menopause, and smoking. Other risk factors are high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a family history.

Unknown is whether frovatriptan can harm a baby in utero. Inform your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Breast-feeding may not be possible while taking this medication. You should consult your doctor if you are concerned about any risks. Frovatriptan should not be used by anyone under the age of 18.

How to take Frovatriptan?

Your first dose may be administered in a hospital setting or clinic to treat any serious side-effects. As soon as headache symptoms appear, take frovatriptan. Read all the instructions and directions that come with your prescription. Follow the directions on the label. Do not exceed the recommended dosage. The overuse of migraine headache medication can worsen headaches. If the medication seems to be less effective in treating migraine attacks, tell your doctor. Take one tablet with a glass of water. Call your doctor if your headache doesn't completely disappear after taking the first tablet. Take a second pill if your headache disappears and then returns. Take no more than three tablets within 24 hours. If your headache persists after taking your first frovatriptan, call your doctor. Tell your doctor if more than four headaches occur in a month (30 days). Inform your doctor if the medication is not working as well to treat your migraine attacks. Store away from any heat or moisture at room temperature for optimal storage results.

Details on dosage

Adult dose for migraine:
Only use after a migraine diagnosis has been made.
Initial dose: 2.5mg orally, once
If migraine symptoms or headaches return, you may administer a second dose at least two hours after the first.
Maximum daily dose: 7.5 mg.
Comments:
This drug should not treat basilar or paraplegic headaches, as these patients have a higher risk of stroke.
The safety of treating more than four migraine attacks on average in a 30-day period has not yet been proven.
Use: To treat acute migraines with or without an aura.

What happens if I miss the dose?

As frovatriptan can be taken as needed, there is no need to follow a schedule of daily doses. If your symptoms don't improve after taking frovatriptan, call your doctor.

What happens if I overdose?

Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention.

What should be avoided?

Do not take frovatriptan for migraine headaches within 24 hours of taking another migraine headache medication.

• Sumatriptan, almotriptan, eletriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, and zolmitriptan;
• Ergot medicine such as dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, or methylergonovine.

You should avoid driving or other hazardous activities until you are sure of how frovatriptan affects you. You may be unable to react.

Interaction with other drug

If you use frovatriptan with certain other medications, it can lead to a buildup of high levels of serotonin in your body. This condition is called "serotonin syndrome" and can be fatal. Tell your doctor if:

• Medicine to treat depression or a mental disorder;
• Medicine for Parkinson’s disease
• Medicine for serious infections
• Herbal products
• Stimulant medicines;
• Opioid medicine;
• Medicine to prevent nausea and vomiting

This list is incomplete. Other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products, may also affect frovatriptan. This list does not include all possible interactions with drugs.