What is Zolmitriptan?
Zolmitriptan is a headache medication that narrows the blood vessels that surround the brain. Zolmitriptan also lowers substances within the body that trigger headache discomfort, nausea, sensitization to sound and light, and other symptoms of migraine.Zolmitriptan can be used to treat migraine headaches in adults.
Zolmitriptan is only used to help with headaches that have already started. It won't help prevent headaches or lessen their severity.
Zolmitriptan is not recommended to treat common tension headaches, headaches that result in loss of movement on the opposite side of the body, or any other headache that appears to be distinct from your regular migraine headaches. Make sure to only take this medication in cases where your condition is verified by a medical professional with migraines.Zolmitriptan can also be used for reasons not mentioned in this guideline.
Side effects of Zolmitriptan
Contact a medical professional immediately. If you are experiencing symptoms that indicate an allergy, such as symptoms of hives, breathing difficulties, and swelling of your lips, face, or tongue,
Zolmitriptan may cause serious side effects. Stop taking zolmitriptan immediately and contact your physician immediately in the event that you suffer from:
- The sensation of tightness in your jaw, throat, neck, or chest;
- Rapid or pounding heartbeats; dizziness;
- Acute stomach pains, severe stomach pain, and bloody vomiting;
- Heart attack symptoms: chest pressure or pain that is spreading into your shoulder or jaw; vomiting; sweating;
- Serotonin levels that are high in the body include hallucinations, agitation, fever, a fast heart rate, and excessively active reflexes. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, and fainting.
Common adverse effects of zolmitriptan could include:
- Tension or pain in your chest or throat;
- Dry mouth, upset stomach;
- The sensation of pressure or a heavy feeling in your body.
- Drowsiness, feeling tired,
- Flushing (the warmth of redness or a tingly sensation).
There isn't an exhaustive listing of all adverse consequences. There are other effects that could occur. Ask your doctor medical advice regarding the consequences. If you have any concerns, report the reaction to the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
It is not recommended to use zolmitriptan in the event of uncontrolled elevated blood pressure, heart issues, certain heart rhythm disorders, a history of heart attacks or strokes, or other circulation issues that result in a deficiency of blood supply to the body.
Don't take this medication if you've used an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days, including linezolid, isocarboxazid, Methylene Blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.Do not take zolmitriptan for more than 24 hours prior to or after taking an alternative migraine medication.
Before you take this drug
Do not take the drug zolmitriptan if there is an allergy to this medication or if you are suffering from:
- Coronary heart condition, angina (chest pain), or blood circulation issues in the absence of blood flow to the heart.
- An antecedent family history or a history of the heart, heart attack, or stroke, such as a "mini-stroke";
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome;
- Uncontrolled or severe high blood pressure
- A blood vessel disorder or circulatory problems that result in the body having a shortage of blood in the body.
- A headache that appears like a migraine and is different from your normal ones.
Avoid using zolmitriptan when you've used an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days. A potentially dangerous interaction with a drug could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, Methylene Blue injection, rasagiline, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine, among others.
To be sure zolmitriptan is not harmful to you, inform your doctor. If you are suffering from:
- Heart disease, high blood pressure, or an irregular heartbeat;
- Epilepsy or seizures;
- Kidney disease or liver failure;
- A condition that requires you to take Cimetidine (Tagamet)
- Coronary heart condition (or risk factors like menopause, diabetes, smoking, being obese, having high cholesterol, having an ancestry with coronary heart disease, having an age greater than 40, being male, or being a woman who underwent an operation to remove her uterus)
Zolmitriptan disintegrating tablets can contain phenylalanine. Consult your physician prior to taking this type of zolmitriptan if you suffer from phenylketonuria (PKU).It is unclear if this medication will affect a newborn baby. Inform your doctor if you are expecting or planning to be pregnant.
It is unclear if the zolmitriptan is absorbed into breast milk or whether it can harm the nursing infant. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.Zolmitriptan is not recommended for use by anyone less than 18 years old.
How to take Zolmitriptan?
Follow the directions on the prescription label. Your doctor could change your dosage to ensure you are getting the best outcomes. Avoid using zolmitriptan in greater or lesser quantities or for a longer time than is suggested.Use zolmitriptan as soon as you notice migraine symptoms.Take the normal tablet with a full glass of water.
To take the oral dissolving tablet (Zomig-ZMT):
- Place the tablet in the blister pack until you're ready to take it. Then, open the pack and peel off the foil. Be careful not to push a tablet into the foil, or you could harm the tablet.
- Dry hands are the best way to remove the tablet, then put it in your mouth.
- Do not ingest the tablet in its entirety. Let it melt in your mouth and swallow without chewing. If you want, you could take a drink to aid in swallowing the tablet that has been dissolved.
When you take a tablet, if your headache doesn't disappear or is absent only to come back, then take a second tablet two hours after the first. Do not exceed 10 mg of the drug within 24 hours. If your symptoms haven't been alleviated, consult your physician prior to taking any additional tablets.
Consult your physician if your headache doesn't go away even after the first tablet of zolmitriptan.Don't exceed the prescribed dose. In excess, migraine headache medication can cause headaches to get worse.
Consult your physician if you have had more than four migraines in a month (30 days). Talk to your doctor if the medication isn't working or if you are experiencing migraines.Zolmitriptan could increase blood pressure to levels that are dangerous. Your blood pressure could need to be monitored frequently when you take this drug. Your heart's function could need to be monitored with an electrocardiograph, also known as an ECG (sometimes also referred to as an EKG).Maintain at room temperature, far from heat, humidity, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Because zolmitriptan is only used when necessary, it doesn't have a regular dosing schedule. Consult your physician promptly if your symptoms do not improve following the use of the medication zolmitriptan.
What happens if I overdose?
For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.
Avoid this
Take zolmitriptan for at least 24 hours after taking a different migraine headache medication, including:
- Zolmitriptan nasal spray, almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, or sumatriptan;
- Ergot medicine: dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, and methylergonovine.
Zolmitriptan can affect your ability to think or react. Be aware when you drive or perform things that require you to remain aware.
Interaction with other drugs
Utilizing zolmitriptan when you're taking other medicines could result in the levels of serotonin accumulating within your body, which is known as "serotonin syndrome," which could be fatal. Consult your physician when you are also taking:
- Medications used to manage depressive symptoms;
- Medicine for treating the symptoms of a mental disorder;
- A prescription for a narcotic (opioid) medication
- Medication to stop vomiting and nausea.
This list is not exhaustive. Other medications may interact with zolmitriptan. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. The interactions of all potential drugs are mentioned in this medication guide.
