IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.
Table of Contents
- Uses and How to Use
- Dosage and Storage
- Precautions and Side Effects
- Drug Interactions
- Drug Images
Pronounced: (AL-moe-TRIP-tan)
Axert Oral Side Effects
Drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, sensations of tingling/numbness/prickling, or dry mouth may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
Chest/jaw/neck tightness can commonly occur shortly after using almotriptan. Only rarely are these signs of a serious condition. However, you may not be able to tell this apart from a serious reaction related to a lack of blood flow to the heart, brain or other parts of the body. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these unlikely but very serious (rarely fatal) side effects occur:
- chest pain
- jaw/left arm pain
- fainting
- fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat
- vision changes
- weakness on one side of the body
- confusion
- slurred speech
- sudden or severe stomach/abdominal pain
- bloody diarrhea
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:
- blue fingers/toes/nails
- cold sensation of hands/feet
- hearing changes
- mental/mood changes
This medication may rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome. The risk increases when this medication is taken with certain other drugs such as other "triptans" used to treat migraine headaches (e.g., sumatriptan, zolmitriptan), certain antidepressants including SSRIs (e.g., citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine) and NSRIs (e.g., duloxetine, venlafaxine), or a certain drug to treat obesity (sibutramine). Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you take any of these medications. Serotonin syndrome may be more likely when you start or increase the dose of any of these medications. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop some of the following symptoms:
- hallucinations
- unusual restlessness
- loss of coordination
- fast heartbeat
- severe dizziness
- high fever
- severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
- twitchy muscles
In the unlikely event you have a serious allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Axert Oral Precautions
See also How to Use section.
Before taking almotriptan, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other triptan migraine drugs; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
This medication should not be taken if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have a history 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)
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- certain blood circulation disorders (e.g., Raynaud's disease)
- kidney problems
- liver problems
Tell your doctor if you have the following 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
If you are at high risk for heart disease, your doctor may want to check your heart before prescribing almotriptan.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.
This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
It is not known whether this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
Copyright 2007 First DataBank, Inc.
