What is Zolmitriptan?
Zolmitriptan is a triptan that is used in the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura and cluster headaches, sold under the brand name Zomig, among others. It is a selective agonist of serotonin receptors in the 1B and 1D subtypes.
Zolmitriptan Uses:
For the prevention of migraines, Zolmitriptan is used. It helps alleviate the symptoms of headache, pain, and other migraines (including nausea, vomiting, light/sound sensitivity). Prompt therapy will help you back to your daily routine and can minimize your need for other medicines for pain. Zolmitriptan belongs to a family of pharmaceutical products called triptans. It affects a certain natural compound that causes the blood vessels in the brain to narrow (serotonin). By affecting some nerves in the brain, it can also relieve pain.
Zolmitriptan does not avoid potential migraines or reduce the frequency of migraine attacks you receive.
How to take Zolmitriptan
- If available from your pharmacist, read the Patient Information Leaflet before you begin to take zolmitriptan and any time you receive a refill.
- Take this drug by mouth at the first sign of a migraine, with or without food, as instructed by your doctor. The dosage is dependent on your medical condition, medication reaction, and other medicines that you may be taking. Tell your doctor of all the medications you use, including prescription medicines, medicines that are not prescribed, and herbal products.
- If your symptoms do not change, do not take any more doses of this drug until you speak to your doctor. You should take another dose at least two hours after the first dose if your symptoms are only slightly relieved, or if your headache returns. Within a 24-hour cycle, do not take more than 10 milligrams. It may be advised that certain patients take no more than 5 milligrams in a 24-hour period.
- Your doctor can do a heart test before you start taking zolmitriptan if you are at a higher risk for heart problems (see Precautions). He/she can also guide you to the office/clinic to take the first dose of this drug to check for severe side effects (such as chest pain). For specifics, talk to your doctor.
- If you take migraine attack medications for 10 or more days per month, the drugs will potentially make the headaches worse (medication overuse headache). Do not use narcotics more frequently or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you need to take this drug more often, if the medicine does not work well, or if your headaches are getting worse.
Zolmitriptan nasal spray
For inhalation through the nose, zolmitriptan comes as a spray. Typically it is used as the first symptom of the headache of a migraine. You can use a second dose of zolmitriptan if your symptoms improve after you have taken zolmitriptan, but return after 2 hours or longer.
However, if after using zolmitriptan, the symptoms do not improve, do not take a second dose without talking to your doctor. Carefully follow the instructions on the prescription label and ask your doctor or pharmacist to clarify any aspect that you do not understand. Using zolmitriptan as directed specifically. Do not use or use more or less of it more frequently than recommended by your physician.
Follow these steps in order to use the nasal spray:
- Before you use the first dose, read all the manufacturer's directions for using the nasal spray.
- Gently blow your nose.
- Remove the sprayer's protective cover.
- Between your fingertips and thumb, hold the sprayer, but be careful not to click the plunger.
- By pressing tightly on the side of your nose, use the other hand to cover one nostril.
- To the point that you feel relaxed and turn your head back slightly, bring the tip of the sprayer into your other nostril. Be careful not to click the plunger or spray your eyes with the drug.
- Through your nose, breathe in softly. Press the plunger tightly with your thumb at the same time. The plunger can feel rigid and a click can be heard.
- Keep your head turned back slightly and take the tip out of your nose.
- For 5-10 seconds, breathe softly through your mouth. It's natural for your nose or the back of your throat to feel liquid.
- Just one dose of medicine is used in the sprayer.
Zolmitriptan Side Effects:
Some of the common side effects of Zilactin are:
- Tingling/numbness
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness.
- Know that this drug has been prescribed by your doctor and he or she has decided that the value is greater than the risk of side effects. Only some people have significant side effects for many people who take this drug.
- Your blood pressure can be increased by this drug. On a regular basis, monitor your blood pressure and notify your doctor if the results are high.
- If you have some extreme side effects including
- Blue fingers/toes/nails
- Cold hands/feet
- Zolmitriptan can typically cause tightness of the chest/jaw/neck
- Discomfort
- The pressure that is not normally extreme
- Heart attack symptoms
- Pain in the chest/jaw/left arm
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual sweating If these or other serious side effects occur
- Rapid/irregular heartbeat
- Fainting
- Extreme stomach
- Abdominal pain
- Bloody diarrhea
- Symptoms of a stroke
- Get medical attention right away
- Weakness on one side of the body
- Trouble speaking
- Sudden vision changes
- Confusion
This medication can increase serotonin and rarely cause serotonin syndrome/toxicity, a very serious condition. The risk rises if you are also taking other serotonin-increasing medications, so tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the medications you are taking (see Drug Interactions section). If you have any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention right away: rapid pulse, hallucinations, lack of balance, extreme dizziness, severe nausea/vomiting/dizziness
Twitching muscles, unexplained fever, unusual agitation/restlessness.
Precautions
- A serious allergic reaction to this medication is rare and uncommon. However, getting medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including rash, itching/swelling (of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist whether you are allergic to it or whether you have some other reactions before using zolmitriptan. There may be some inactive ingredients present in this substance that may cause allergic reactions or other problems.
- Tell your doctor or pharmacist whether you are allergic to it or whether you have some other reactions before using zolmitriptan. There may be some inactive ingredients present in this substance that may cause allergic reactions or other problems.
- Your risk for heart attacks can be raised by some factors. Tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, history of heart disease in the family, overweight, smoking, postmenopausal (female), over 40 years of age (men).
- You feel dizziness or drowsiness with this medication. You get dizzy or drowsy with alcohol or marijuana (cannabis). Do not drive, use tools, or do something that involves caution before you can do it safely. To ban alcoholic drinks. If you use marijuana, talk to your doctor (cannabis).
- Inform your doctor or dentist of all the medications you need before having surgery (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
- When age increases, the risk of heart disease, liver disease, and high blood pressure increases. Older adults may be more vulnerable to this drug's side effects, especially elevated blood pressure and heart attacks.
- This drug should be used during pregnancy only when it is obviously needed. Discuss with your doctor the risks and advantages.
- Whether this drug passes into breast milk is unclear. Before breastfeeding, consult the doctor.
Interactions
- It can affect the working of your drugs or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all types of potential drug interactions are included. Keep the list and show it to your doctor and pharmacist of all the medications/drugs you are using (including the prescription /nonprescription medicines). Without your doctor's permission, do not start, stop, or adjust the dosage of any medication on your own.
- A significant (possibly fatal) drug interaction can be caused by taking MAO inhibitors with this medicine. During treatment with this drug, do not take any MAO (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) inhibitors. Also, most MAO inhibitors should not be taken until treatment with this drug for two weeks. Tell your doctor when to start taking this drug or avoid taking it.
- If you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin, the risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity increases. St. John's wort, some antidepressants (including SSRIs such as fluoxetine/paroxetine, SNRIs such as duloxetine/venlafaxine), and others, are examples of street drugs such as MDMA/'ecstasy.' If you start or raise the dosage of these medications, the chance of serotonin syndrome/toxicity might be more likely.
- If you are still taking any pharmaceutical products containing ergotamine (such as dihydroergotamine) or any other 'triptan' medicinal products (such as sumatriptan, rizatriptan), you may need to distinguish your dose of zolmitriptan from your dose of these other medicines to minimize the risk of severe side effects. Ask your doctor how long it takes for you to wait between doses of these medications.
Note
Do not share with anyone this drug.
A migraine headache can be caused by certain foods, drinks, or food additives (such as red wine, cheese, chocolate, monosodium glutamate) as well as lifestyle behaviors such as irregular eating/sleeping habits or stress. The avoidance of these "triggers" will help minimize migraine attacks. For more info, contact your doctor.
To track the progress or check for side effects, laboratory and/or medical tests (such as blood pressure) can be performed regularly. For more info, contact your doctor.
Overdose
If overdosed, this drug can be harmful. When someone has taken an overdose some extreme signs such as passing out or respiratory problems can occur.
Missed dose
If you are using this product on a daily basis and forget a dose, take it as soon as you recall it. If it is near the next dose, don’t take the skipped dose. Using the next dose on a regular basis. Do Not double the dose to recover the missed or forgotten dose.
Zolmitriptan Storage:
Store this medication at room temperature only and try to keep away from moisture, heat, and light. Do not freeze it.
Do not flush the drug in the sink or dump it into the sink unless told to do. Disposal of this product is necessarily important when it has expired or is no longer required to you. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more information and guidance about how to safely dispose of your product.
Zolmitriptan Vs Sumatriptan
Zolmitriptan |
Sumatriptan |
|---|---|
| Molar mass: 287.3568 g/mol | Molar mass: 295.402 g/mol |
| Formula: C16H21N3O2 | Formula: C14H21N3O2S |
| Brand name triptan | Brand name Imitrex |
| Useful for treating acute migraine attacks with or without aura and cluster headaches | useful for treating migraine headaches and cluster headaches. |
