Print
Email
What is almotriptan?
Almotriptan is a headache medicine. It is believed to work by narrowing the 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. Almotriptan
What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?
Pricing information provided by drugstore.com.
| Axert 6.25MG TABS | ORTHO | 6/$125.2 or 18/$355.09 |
What are the possible side effects of almotriptan?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
Stop using almotriptan and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
-
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
-
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
-
sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
-
fast heart rate, agitation, muscle stiffness, hallucinations, lack of coordination, with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;
-
sudden and severe stomach pain and bloody diarrhea;
-
numbness or tingling and a pale or blue-colored appearance in your fingers or toes.
Continue using almotriptan and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:
-
dry mouth, upset stomach;
-
mild headache (not a migraine);
-
dizziness, sleepiness; or
-
pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body; or
-
feeling of pain or pressure in your neck and throat.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
How should I use almotriptan?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label. Take almotriptan as soon as you notice headache symptoms, or after an attack has already begun. Your doctor may want to give your first dose of this medicine in a hospital or clinic setting to see if you have any serious side effects. Take one almotriptan tablet whole with a full glass of water.
What is the most important information I should know about almotriptan?
Almotriptan can cause serious side effects on the heart, including heart attack or stroke. Although these side effects are rare, do not use this medication if you have a history of heart disease, angina (chest pain), blood circulation problems, ischemic bowel disease, severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure, or history of a heart attack or stroke. Before using almotriptan, tell your doctor if you have coronary artery disease, 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 coronary artery disease, being older than 40 and a man, or being a woman who has had a hysterectomy).
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since almotriptan is used as needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule. Call your doctor promptly if your symptoms do not improve after using almotriptan. After taking a almotriptan tablet, you must wait two (2) hours before taking a second tablet.
What other drugs will affect almotriptan?
Before using almotriptan, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), mibefradil (Posicor), cimetidine (Tagamet); ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), nefazodone (Serzone), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, E.E.S, E-Mycin), troleandomycin (Tao); HIV medicines such as indinavir (Crixivan), saquinavir (Invirase), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), ritonavir (Norvir), or nelfinavir (Viracept); an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor); or
Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?
Almotriptan has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Almotriptan given to animals in doses 80 to nearly 1,000 times the manufacturer's recommended daily dose for humans caused an increase in birth defects. The incidence of embryolethality increased at the highest dose. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Almotriptan is only recommended for use during pregnancy when benefit outweighs risk.
There are no data on the excretion of almotriptan into human milk. The manufacturer recommends exercising caution when administering almotriptan to nursing mothers.
Animal studies have shown the presence of almotriptan in milk several hours after dosing.
Who should NOT use this medication?
- Known or suspected ischemic heart disease (e.g., angina pectoris, history of MI, documented silent ischemia).
- Coronary artery vasospasm (e.g., Prinzmetal variant angina).
- Other serious underlying cardiovascular disease (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension).
- Hemiplegic or basilar migraine.
- Treatment within previous 24 hours with another 5-HT1 receptor agonist or an ergot alkaloid. (See Specific Drugs under Interactions.)
- Known hypersensitivity to almotriptan or any ingredient in the formulation.
What does my medication look like?
Almotriptan is available with a prescription under the brand name Axert. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you. Axert 6.25 mg--white, round tablets Axert 12.5 mg--white, round tablets
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a almotriptan overdose may include severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure (convulsions), neck stiffness, tiredness, lack of coordination, feeling light-headed, or fainting.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using almotriptan?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to almotriptan, or if you have: a history of heart disease, angina (chest pain), blood circulation problems, or history of a heart attack or stroke; ischemic bowel disease; severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure; or a headache that is not like other headaches you have had.
Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
If you are taking an analgesic for pain and you are no longer experiencing the pain you may stop using the medication. In general, pain medications are to be used on an as needed basis.
I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
Where can I get more information?
More Information
Drug Info Tools
