If you have migraine, your doctor might suggest Reyvow as a treatment option. It’s a prescription medication used to treat migraine episodes in adults.

Reyvow is only used to treat a migraine that is already happening. It shouldn’t be taken every day to prevent migraine attacks. And you shouldn’t take more than one dose per 24 hours.

The brand-name medication Reyvow contains the active drug lasmiditan. This is currently no generic version of this drug. Reyvow comes as a tablet that you take by mouth.

For more information about Reyvow, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article.

Like other drugs, Reyvow can cause mild to serious side effects (also called adverse effects). Keep reading to learn more.

Some people may experience mild to serious side effects during their Reyvow treatment. Below are some of the most commonly reported side effects in studies of the drug.

Keep in mind that this is not a complete list of adverse effects. And not everyone who takes Reyvow will have side effects.

Examples of Reyvow’s commonly reported side effects include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Examples of mild side effects that have been reported with Reyvow include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

In most cases, these side effects should be temporary. And some may be easily managed. But if you have any symptoms that are ongoing or that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And don’t stop taking Reyvow unless your doctor recommends it.

Reyvow may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. See the Reyvow prescribing information for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Reyvow, visit MedWatch.

Rarely, serious side effects have been reported by people taking Reyvow. They include:

* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Reyvow, call your doctor right away. Immediately call 911 or your local emergency number if:

  • the side effects seem life threatening
  • you think you’re having a medical emergency

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Reyvow’s side effects.

Will I have a higher risk of side effects if I take a higher dose of Reyvow (100 mg or 200 mg)?

Taking a higher dose of Reyvow could place you at a higher risk of side effects. But the risk of most side effects isn’t very different. And most people who take Reyvow don’t have side effects, regardless of their dose.

In studies, people taking a 100-milligram (mg) or 200-mg dose of Reyvow had a slightly higher risk of most mild side effects). Dizziness was the side effect most affected by taking a higher dose.

Talk with your doctor if you have side effects while taking Reyvow. They may suggest that you take a reduced dose to help ease your side effects.

Are there any drug interactions with Reyvow that might increase my risk of side effects?

Yes, certain drug interactions with Reyvow may increase your risk of side effects.

For example, Reyvow can lower your heart rate. Taking other medications that can also lower your heart rate may increase your risk of this side effect. An example of this type of medication is propranolol (Inderal LA, InnoPran XL).

Certain medications can also increase your risk of side effects such as dizziness, coordination problems, and sleepiness. Examples of these medications include diazepam (Valium) and eszopiclone (Lunesta).

And certain drugs can increase your risk of serotonin syndrome if you take Reyvow. For more information about serotonin syndrome and Reyvow, see “Side effects explained” below.

If you’d like to know more about specific medications that can interact with Reyvow, check out this article. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more.

Am I at risk of stroke from taking Reyvow?

No, it isn’t thought that Reyvow increases your risk of stroke.

In people who have taken other migraine medications, such as Maxalt, there have been rare reports of stroke as a side effect. But this wasn’t a reported side effect for people taking Reyvow in studies.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Reyvow may cause.

Rebound headache

Like other medications that treat migraine, you may have rebound headaches from taking Reyvow.

If you experience rebound headaches, your headaches get worse after taking a drug such as Reyvow. This may cause daily migraine headaches or more frequent migraine episodes. You’re at risk of rebound headaches if you take a drug such as Reyvow on 10 or more days in a month.

What might help

If you’re taking Reyvow on 10 or more days in a month, talk with your doctor. They may recommend a different migraine treatment option for you. They may also have you stop taking Reyvow until your rebound headaches go away.

Serotonin syndrome

It isn’t common, but taking Reyvow can cause serotonin syndrome as a side effect. With serotonin syndrome, you have a high level of serotonin in your body. Serotonin is a chemical your body makes that helps your brain cells and nerves function correctly. It also has many other important roles.

In extreme cases, serotonin syndrome can be life threatening.

Symptoms of serotonin syndrome can include:

These symptoms are most likely when you first start taking Reyvow, or whenever your dose is increased. They can even occur within minutes of taking a new or higher dose.

Taking other medications that can increase your serotonin levels also increases your risk of serotonin syndrome from Reyvow. Examples include:

What might help

If you notice symptoms of serotonin syndrome while taking Reyvow, contact your doctor right away. But if your symptoms feel life threatening, seek emergency care immediately.

Your doctor will likely have you stop taking Reyvow if you have serotonin syndrome as a side effect.

Before taking Reyvow, tell your doctor about any other medications you take. The doctor can let you know if any of your medications increases your risk of serotonin syndrome. And they can tell you if it’s safe to take Reyvow with these drugs.

Numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation in your mouth or skin

Taking Reyvow may causetingling, numbness, or a burning sensation in your mouth or skin as a side effect. This was one of the more common side effects reported by people who took Reyvow in studies. But most people who take Reyvow don’t have this side effect.

What might help

Tell your doctor if you have any tingling, numbness, or a burning sensation in your mouth or skin while taking Reyvow. They may want to see you to evaluate your symptoms and check if there are other possible causes. If your doctor thinks that these symptoms are a side effect of Reyvow, they may suggest trying a reduced dose. Or they may recommend stopping Reyvow and trying a different migraine treatment.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Reyvow can cause an allergic reaction in some people. But this was rare in studies. The symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest the following to help you manage your symptoms:

If your doctor confirms that you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Reyvow, they’ll decide if you should continue taking it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms that you had a serious allergic reaction to Reyvow, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Reyvow treatment, consider keeping notes about any side effects you’re having. Then, you can share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dosage of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon after starting that dosage you experienced it
  • the specific symptoms of the side effect
  • how it affected your daily activities
  • any other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Keeping notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Reyvow affects you. Your doctor can use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Reyvow may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Reyvow. The list below includes factors to consider.

High blood pressure. Taking a dose of Reyvow can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure. This isn’t serious and goes away after a few hours in most people. But if you already have high blood pressure, this may make Reyvow unsafe for you. Your doctor will help you determine if Reyvow is safe to take.

Liver problems. After you take a Reyvow dose, your body uses your liver to get rid of the drug. If you have liver problems, your liver may not get rid of Reyvow as well. This can increase your risk of side effects from this medication. People with mild to moderate liver problems can usually take Reyvow without issues. But if you have severe liver problems, your doctor may determine that Reyvow isn’t safe for you.

Slow heart rate. Taking Reyvow can slow your heart rate by 5 to 10 beats per minute. This change doesn’t cause problems in most people. But if you already have a slow heart rate, this may increase your risk of certain Reyvow side effects, including dizziness and fatigue. It could also cause other problems related to a heart rate that is too slow. If you have a slow heart rate, your doctor can help determine whether Reyvow is safe for you.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Reyvow or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Reyvow. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.

Alcohol use and Reyvow

Alcohol may interact with Reyvow, and it’s best to minimize or avoid drinking while taking this drug. Because alcohol and Reyvow can both cause sleepiness, dizziness, and problems with coordination, combining them can make these side effects serious.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor before starting Reyvow. They can advise you on how much, if any, is safe to drink while you’re taking this medication.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Reyvow

It’s not known if it’s safe to take Reyvow while pregnant. Talk with your doctor if you’re pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant before you start this medication.

It’s also not known if it’s safe to breastfeed while taking Reyvow. It’s not known if the drug is present in human breast milk, or if it could cause side effects in a breastfed child. Talk with your doctor about feeding options for your child while you’re taking Reyvow.

Misuse with Reyvow is possible. Misuse is when a medication is used in a way other than how it’s prescribed.

While rare, it’s possible to feel a “high” or euphoria (intense feelings of happiness) while taking Reyvow. Some people may misuse Reyvow in an attempt to feel these effects.

Because of the possibility for misuse, Reyvow is a controlled substance in the United States. This means that it has an approved medical use, but it may be misused for other purposes. It also means that the federal government, doctors, and pharmacists may pay close attention to how the drug is prescribed and used.

Only take Reyvow exactly as your doctor recommends. And never share Reyvow or any other medication that you’re prescribed.

Reyvow is a prescription medication used to treat migraine. If you have questions about Reyvow, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some examples to get you started include:

  • Can I take other medications to treat migraine while I’m taking Reyvow?
  • Are there treatments I can take to prevent migraine?
  • If I have side effects of Reyvow, are there treatments I can take?

Consider signing up for Healthline’s migraine newsletter for guidance about treating and managing your condition.

Q:

Will I have withdrawal symptoms if I stop taking Reyvow?

Anonymous

A:

It’s not likely. Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can happen after you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on. But withdrawal symptoms weren’t reported in studies of Reyvow.

Keep in mind you may have rebound headaches if you take Reyvow on 10 or more days in a month. If this happens, your doctor may have you stop taking the drug until your rebound headaches go away. During this time, you may temporarily have more migraine episodes than usual.

If you’re concerned about withdrawal symptoms from Reyvow, talk with your doctor.

Amber Watson, PharmDAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.
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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.