ALMOTRIPTAN

Common side effects are: Drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, sensations of tingling/numbness/prickling, or dry mouth may occur.  Almotriptan may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high.

Almotriptan can commonly cause heart attack-like symptoms: chest/jaw/neck tightness, pain, or pressure.  Other serious side effects occur, including: fast/irregular heartbeat, fainting, severe stomach/abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, signs of a stroke (such as weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, sudden vision changes, confusion),  blue fingers/toes/nails, cold sensation of hands/feet, hearing changes, mental/mood changes.

May cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome/toxicity. Some of the following symptoms: fast heartbeat, hallucinations, loss of coordination, severe dizziness, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitching muscles, unexplained fever, unusual agitation/restlessness.

If you experience allergic reactions or the symptoms mentioned, contact your doctor immediately.

Precautions

Inform your doctor or pharmacist your allergies, medical history, especially of: heart disease (e.g., chest pain, heart attack), decreased blood flow in the brain (e.g., stroke, transient ischemic attack), blood circulation disease (e.g., ischemic bowel disease), uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension), certain types of headaches (hemiplegic or basilar migraine), blood circulation disorders (e.g., Raynaud’s disease), kidney problems, liver problems or risk factors for heart disease: diabetes, family history of heart disease, high blood pressure (controlled), high cholesterol, overweight, smoker, female after menopause, male over age 40.

Avoid activities that require alertness as this drug can make you drowsy.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women must consult their doctor first before using this medication.

Interactions

Medications that can affect almotriptan include azole antifungals such as ketoconazole/itraconazole, macrolide antibiotics such as erythromycin;  risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin (MDMA/”ecstasy,” St. John’s wort, certain antidepressants such as fluoxetine/paroxetine, SNRIs such as duloxetine/venlafaxine), among others); ergotamine medication (e.g., dihydroergotamine or methysergide) or any other “triptan” drugs (e.g., zolmitriptan, sumatriptan); drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., amitriptyline, chlorpromazine, risperidone, trazodone).

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Get emergency medical help when overdose is suspected.

Missed Dose: Not applicable

Storage: Store medication in room temperature.  Do not expose to light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from pets and children.  Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour into a drain.