If you have migraine, your doctor might suggest Treximet as a treatment option. It’s a prescription drug used to treat migraine with and without aura in adults and some children.
Treximet comes as a tablet that you swallow when a migraine headache occurs. It’s not used to treat every type of migraine headache, and it’s not used to prevent them. Talk with your doctor to see if it’s right for you.
Treximet contains sumatriptan and naproxen. These two active ingredients work in your body in different ways to treat migraine.
- Sumatriptan is in a group of drugs called selective serotonin receptor agonists.
- Naproxen is in a group of drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
This article describes the dosages of Treximet, as well as its strength and how to take it. To learn more about the drug, see this in-depth article.
The chart below highlights the basics of Treximet’s dosage for adults. (Dosage for children ages 12 to 17 years will be determined by their doctor.) Be sure to read on for more detail.
Form | Strength | Usual dosage | Maximum dosage |
tablet | 85 milligrams (mg) sumatriptan/ 500 mg naproxen | one tablet in 24 hours (as directed by your doctor) | • Do not take more than two tablets in 24 hours. • Doses should be at least 2 hours apart. • A second dose should only be taken if recommended by a doctor. |
Note: This article covers Treximet’s standard dosage schedule, which is provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But always follow the dosage instructions your doctor prescribes.
The recommended dosages for acute (severe and sudden onset) migraine are described below.
What is the form of Treximet?
Treximet comes as a tablet that you swallow.
What strength does Treximet come in?
Treximet tablets come in one strength of 85 milligrams (mg)/500 mg.
The 85-mg/500-mg tablet contains 85 mg of sumatriptan and 500 mg of naproxen.
What are the usual dosages of Treximet?
The commonly used dosages of Treximet are described below. But be sure to follow the dosage directions your doctor gives you. They’ll determine the best dosage and how you should take Treximet to fit your needs.
Dosage for migraine
For adults with migraine, the recommended dose of Treximet is one 85-mg sumatriptan/500-mg naproxen tablet. The maximum dosage for adults in a 24-hour period is two 85-mg sumatriptan/500-mg naproxen tablets, taken at least 2 hours apart.
What’s the dosage of Treximet for children?
For children ages 12 to 17 years, a starting dose of Treximet will be determined by their doctor.* The maximum recommended dosage is one 85-mg sumatriptan/500-mg naproxen tablet in 24 hours. It’s not known if it’s safe for children to take more than one dose in a 24-hour period.
* Treximet used to be available in a 10-mg sumatriptan/60-mg naproxen tablet. This was the recommended dose for children ages 12 years and older, but it has been discontinued.
Is Treximet used long term?
No, Treximet is not usually used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine this drug is safe and effective for you, you’ll only take it when you have a migraine episode.
Dosage adjustments
If you have liver problems, your doctor may decrease your dose of Treximet. Be sure to tell them about your other medical conditions so they can prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
The dosage of Treximet you’re prescribed may depend on several factors. These include:
- your age
- whether you have liver problems
- other conditions you may have
When you get a migraine headache, take Treximet as directed by your doctor. You may take your first dose in your doctor’s office.
Swallow the tablet whole with water or another liquid. You can take it with or without food. Do not break, chew, or crush Treximet tablets.
For adults, if you do not get relief from your first dose, do not take a second dose without talking with your doctor first. If a second dose is recommended by your doctor, take it at least 2 hours after the first dose. More than two doses should not be taken within 24 hours.
It’s not known if it’s safe for children ages 12 years and older to take more than one dose of Treximet in 24 hours.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication.
For information on Treximet expiration, storage, and disposal, see this article.
Accessible drug containers and labels
If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print or use braille
- feature a code that you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
If you have trouble opening medication bottles, let your pharmacist know. They may be able to supply Treximet in an easy-open container. They may also have tips to help make it simpler to open the drug’s container.
Do not take more Treximet than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects.
Symptoms of overdose
Some symptoms caused by an overdose can include:
It is also possible for an overdose of Treximet to result in death.
Note: Treximet contains the two active drugs sumatriptan and naproxen. There is no information regarding overdose on sumatriptan. The information above relates to an overdose of naproxen.
What to do in case you take too much Treximet
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Treximet. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.
Studies didn’t report dependence or withdrawal symptoms with Treximet. (With dependence, your body gets used to a drug and needs it for you to feel normal.)
But certain drugs, including one of the two in Treximet, can cause medication overuse headaches if taken more often than recommended. With overuse, you may have daily migraine-like headaches or an increase in migraine episodes.
When you stop taking the overused drug, withdrawal symptoms such as worsening headaches may happen for a limited time as your body detoxifies. (This is a process in which your body removes the drug.) Be sure to follow the instructions given to you by your doctor on how exactly to take Treximet.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Treximet for you, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Treximet without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Treximet exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask:
- Will my dosage of Treximet change if the maximum dosage doesn’t give me relief?
- How long after taking it will my dose of Treximet start working?
- How does the dosage of Treximet compare to other migraine medications?
- If I have problems with my kidneys, will my dosage of Treximet be different?
- If I’m taking other drugs along with Treximet, does my dosage need to change?
For guidance on treating and managing migraine episodes, subscribe to Healthline’s online newsletter. You can also find support and advice at Bezzy migraine, an online community of people who live with this condition.
Q:
If my migraine is not as intense as usual, can I split my tablet in half to take a lower dose?
AnonymousA:
No, don’t split, crush, or chew a Treximet tablet. It may not work as it should if it isn’t swallowed whole. And this can increase your risk of serious side effects.
Always be sure to take the amount of Treximet your doctor prescribes for you. Talk with them if you have questions about your dosage of this drug.
The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.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.