Zolmitriptan (Into the nose)
zole-mi-TRIP-tan
Drug classes
Antimigraine (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Zolmitriptan nasal spray is used to treat acute migraine headaches in adults and children 12 years of age and older. It is not used to prevent migraine headaches and is not used for cluster headaches. Zolmitriptan works in the brain to relieve the pain from migraine headaches. It belongs to the group of medicines called triptans.
Many people find that their headaches go away completely after they use zolmitriptan. Other people find that their headaches are much less painful, and that they are able to go back to their normal activities even though their headaches are not completely gone. Zolmitriptan often relieves other symptoms that occur together with a migraine headache, such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and sensitivity to sound.
Zolmitriptan is not an ordinary pain reliever. It will not relieve any kind of pain other than migraine headaches. This medicine is usually used for people whose headaches are not relieved by acetaminophen, aspirin, or other pain relievers.
Zolmitriptan has caused serious side effects in some people, especially people who have heart or blood vessel disease. Be sure that you discuss with your doctor the risks of using this medicine as well as the benefits that it can have.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Spray
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
If your headache comes back or you do not get complete relief, wait at least 2 hours before you take another dose. Do not use more than 10 milligrams (mg) in 24 hours.
This medicine is for use only in the nose. Do not get any of it in your eyes or on your skin. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away.
Do not prime the nasal spray. The unit contains only enough medicine for 1 spray.
Before using the medicine, gently blow your nose to clear the nostrils.
Hold 1 nostril closed with your finger. Place the tip of the spray unit in your other nostril. Breathe in gently through your nose and slowly release 1 spray into your nose at the same time.
Keep your head tilted back and remove the spray unit from your nose. Breathe through your mouth for 5 to 10 seconds. You might feel some liquid in your nose or on the back of your throat.
Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Use zolmitriptan only when you have a migraine. This medicine is not used on a regular schedule.
Keep the bottle tightly closed when not using it. Store at room temperature, away from heat and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Do not use this medicine if you have taken another migraine headache medicine in the past 24 hours, such as another triptan or an ergot medicine. These medicines include almotriptan, dihydroergotamine, eletriptan, ergotamine, frovatriptan, methysergide, rizatriptan, or sumatriptan. Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor (such as phenelzine, tranylcypromine) in the past 14 days.
Some foods and medicines can affect how zolmitriptan works. Tell your doctor if you are using cimetidine or medicine for depression.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use if you had an allergic reaction to zolmitriptan. Tell your doctor if you have heart or blood vessel problems, such as a history of heart attack or stroke, or if you have heart rhythm problems.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a family history of heart disease. Tell your doctor if you have a history of blood circulation problems or if you smoke.
This medicine should be used only for classic or common migraine headaches. Do not use for any other kind of headache or pain.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Higher risk for abnormal heart rhythm, heart attack, angina, or stroke Tightness or discomfort in your chest, neck, or jaw Spasms in the blood vessels, such as Raynaud syndrome Serotonin syndrome Increased blood pressureYour headaches may become worse if you use headache medicine for 10 or more days per month.
This medicine may make you dizzy, weak, or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
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
Anxiety, restlessness, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, twitching, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there
Chest pain, especially if it spreads to your arms, jaw, back, or neck
Fast or uneven heartbeat
Numbness or tingling in your hands, arms, legs, or feet, color changes in your fingers or toes
Severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
Sudden severe headache (other than the one being treated)
Tightness or discomfort in your chest, neck, or jaw
Vision changes that are not part of a usual migraine
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Bad or unusual taste in your mouth
Feeling dizzy
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.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Zomig
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
