Almotriptan (By mouth)

Introduction

Almotriptan (al-moe-TRIP-tan)

Treats migraine headaches.

Brand Name(s)

Axert

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to almotriptan. Do not use this medicine if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, angina (chest pain), a history of heart attack or stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), ischemic bowel disease, peripheral vascular disease, or certain heart problems. Talk with your doctor about what these heart problems are. You should not use this medicine to prevent migraine headache attacks, or if you have migraine headaches of the hemiplegic or basilar type. Do not take almotriptan within 24 hours after taking another migraine headache medicine such as dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45®, Migranal®), ergotamine (Bellergal-S®, Cafergot®, Ergomar®, Wigraine®), methysergide (Sansert®), naratriptan (Amerge®), rizatriptan (Maxalt®), sumatriptan (Imitrex®, Treximet®), or zolmitriptan (Zomig®).

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• You may take this medicine with or without food.
• When you feel a migraine headache starting, take 1 dose of this medicine.
• If your headache comes back, you may take a second dose of medicine. Wait at least 2 hours after the first dose before taking this second dose.
• If your headache does not improve at all after the first dose of medicine, do not take a second dose. Call your doctor. You may not have a migraine type of headache if the medicine does not help after 1 dose.
• Do not use more than 2 doses in any 24-hour period. Do not use this medicine for more than 4 headaches in any 30-day period, unless your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine should be used to treat only migraine headaches that have already started. Do not use this medicine to prevent migraine headaches, and do not use it to treat any other type of headache. If you have a severe headache and do not know the cause, call your doctor.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using medicine to treat fungal infections (such as fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, Diflucan®, Nizoral®, or Sporanox®), medicine for depression (such as citalopram, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline, trazodone, venlafaxine, Celexa®, Cymbalta®, Effexor®, Lexapro®, Luvox®, Paxil®, Prozac®, Serzone®, or Zoloft®), medicines to treat HIV/AIDS (such as ritonavir, Agenerase®, Crixivan®, Invirase®, Kaletra®, Norvir®, Sustiva®, or Viracept®), antibiotics (such as erythromycin, Biaxin®, Emycin®, or Ery-tab®), or an MAO inhibitor (such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, bleeding problems, high blood pressure, or a family history of heart disease. Tell your doctor if you have an allergic reaction to sulfa drugs (such as sulfamethoxazole, Bactrim®, or Septra®).
• This medicine may cause problems if you have heart disease. If your doctor thinks you might have a problem with this medicine, he or she may want you to take your first dose in the doctor's office or clinic.
• You may have a higher risk of heart disease if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or if you smoke, are overweight, have a family history of heart disease, are a man over 40 years of age, or are a woman who has had a hysterectomy or has gone through menopause. Make sure your doctor knows if you have any of these risk factors before you begin using almotriptan.
• Check with your doctor right away if you have chest discomfort, jaw or neck tightness after taking this medicine. Also, tell your doctor if you have sudden or severe abdominal or stomach pain or bloody diarrhea after using this medicine.
• Check with your doctor immediately if blurred vision, difficulty in reading, or any other change in vision occurs during or after your treatment. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an eye doctor.
• Make sure your doctor knows about all the other medicines you are using. Almotriptan may cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome when taken with some medicines. Check with your doctor first before taking any other medicines.
• If you develop a skin rash, hives, or any allergic reaction to this medicine, stop taking the medicine and check with your doctor as soon as possible.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blurred vision or changes in vision.
• Chest pain or shortness of breath.
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.
• Numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body.
• Pain in your lower leg (calf).
• Pain, tightness, or pressure in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw area.
• Pale, cool, or blotchy skin, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
• Problems with vision, speech, or walking.
• Severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea.
• Sudden severe headache (other than the one being treated).

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Dizziness, drowsiness, or sleepiness.
• Dry mouth.
• Mild nausea or vomiting.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088