Zolmitriptan
About Zolmitriptan
Zolmitriptan is used to prevent migraine symptoms such as headache, nausea, and vomiting. Migraine is a neurological condition characterized by intense pulsating, throbbing, pounding, debilitating headaches. They usually occur on one side of the head but can occur on both sides or shift. Hormonal changes, stress, bright lights, loud sounds, and certain foods and drinks can trigger migraine headaches.
Zolmitriptan contains Zolmitriptan. It works by constricting blood vessels around the brain, preventing pain signals from reaching the brain, and preventing the release of certain natural substances that cause pain, nausea, and other migraine symptoms.
Take Zolmitriptan as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Zolmitriptan for as long as your doctor prescribes it. In some cases, you may experience certain common side effects such as dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, chest discomfort, dry mouth, irregular heartbeats and heartburn. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
If you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Zolmitriptan, do not take it. Inform your doctor if you have had any kidney or liver problems, ischemic heart disease, hyperlipidemia (high amounts of fat), menopausal dysfunction, obesity, smoking, cerebrovascular illness, or heart disease. Unless otherwise prescribed, do not use Zolmitriptan if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Zolmitriptan may cause drowsiness and fatigue, so drive only if you are alert. Zolmitriptan should not be given to children because its safety and effectiveness have not been proven. Drinking alcohol while taking Zolmitriptan may cause drowsiness.
Uses of Zolmitriptan
Medicinal Benefits
Zolmitriptan contains Zolmitriptan (anti-migraine medication), which is used to prevent migraine symptoms such as headaches, nausea and vomiting. It works by constricting blood vessels around the brain, preventing pain signals from reaching the brain, and preventing the release of certain natural substances that cause pain, nausea, and other migraine symptoms. Thus, Zolmitriptan helps effectively treat symptoms of migraines, such as headache, nausea, and vomiting.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Zolmitriptan
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Chest discomfort
- Dry mouth
- Irregular heartbeats
- Heartburn
- Feeling tired
- Stomach upset
- Tingling and numbness in hands and feet
- Sweating
- Hallucinations
- Fast heart rate
Drug Warnings
Do not take Zolmitriptan if you are allergic to any of its contents. Inform your doctor if you have had any renal or liver problems, ischemic heart disease, hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat), menopausal disorder, obesity, smoking, cerebrovascular disease, and heart disease. Do not use Zolmitriptan if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless prescribed. Zolmitriptan may cause drowsiness and tiredness, so drive only if you are alert. Zolmitriptan should not be given to children as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Zolmitriptan as it could lead to increased drowsiness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Zolmitriptan may have interaction with to relieve headache, pain, and other migraine symptoms (e.g. frovatriptan), anti-depressants (e.g. duloxetine, amoxapine, doxepin), medicines used for treating nerve pain (nortriptyline), antiemetic drugs (e.g. ondansetron) and painkillers (e.g. tramadol).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid the consumption of alcohol, smoking and caffeinated products. Do not consume grapefruit while taking Zolmitriptan.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Zolmitriptan may interact with people with various disease conditions, including renal or liver problems, ischemic heart disease, hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat), menopausal disorder, obesity, smoking, cerebrovascular disease, and heart disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Zolmitriptan as it may increase drowsiness.
Pregnancy
cautionZolmitriptan should be used during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Zolmitriptan should not be taken during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
cautionZolmitriptan may pass into breast milk and harm the baby. Please consult your doctor before taking Zolmitriptan, and your doctor will decide whether Zolmitriptan can be taken by breastfeeding mothers or not.
Driving
cautionZolmitriptan may cause dizziness, weakness and drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns.
Children
unsafeZolmitriptan should not be given to children as the safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Perform meditation and yoga. This helps in relieving stress and provides relaxation. Follow a regular sleep pattern to improve the amount and quality of sleep you get. Massage your scalp to ease the pain.
- Lie down in a quiet, dark room. Place a cold cloth over your forehead or neck.
- Avoid smoking, alcohol and caffeinated drinks. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of fluids. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly helps improve overall health and boost self-esteem.
- Learn what triggers your migraine and try avoiding them. Learn relaxation skills as they help in reducing stress.
- Avoid bright lights, loud noise and extreme temperatures.
Special Advise
Constantly monitor your blood pressure while taking Zolmitriptan.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Migraine: It is a neurological condition that is characterized by an intense, debilitating headache. Hormonal changes, stress, lack or excess of sleep, bright lights, loud sounds, and certain foods and drinks can trigger migraine headaches. Warning symptoms precede migraine headache one or two days before the headache itself. The warning symptoms include food cravings, depression, fatigue, hyperactivity, irritability and neck stiffness. Symptoms of migraine include throbbing pain in one particular area with varying intensity, nausea, vomiting, numbness or tingling sensation, difficulty speaking, and sensitivity to sound and light.
FAQs
Zolmitriptan is used to prevent migraine symptoms such as headache, nausea, and vomiting.
Zolmitriptan contains Zolmitriptan, which works by acting on the serotonin (5-HT) receptors located in the brain. This causes the narrowing of the brain's blood vessels, which in turn affects the blood flow patterns associated with headaches. Thus, Zolmitriptan prevents symptoms of migraine-like headache, nausea, and vomiting.
Dry mouth could be a side effect of Zolmitriptan. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly, and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might help stimulate saliva and thereby prevent dry mouth.
Zolmitriptan treats a headache that has already begun but does not prevent or reduce the attacks. Zolmitriptan should not be used to treat cluster headaches or other types of headaches, which may cause loss of movement on one side of the body.
Yes, Zolmitriptan can cause an increase in blood pressure in some cases. So, while taking Zolmitriptan, constantly monitor your blood pressure to avoid any sudden increase.
Several factors like caffeine withdrawal, changes in hormone levels during menstruation or with the use of birth control pills, changes in sleep patterns, drinking alcohol, missing meals or smoking, other physical stress, loud noises or bright lights, odours or perfumes or exposure to smoke and stress and anxiety may trigger a migraine attack.
No, it is advised not to take both medicines together to avoid unpleasant side effects. Inform your doctor if you are taking depression medicine before starting Zolmitriptan.
Zolmitriptan may cause side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, heartburn, nausea, sweating, or dizziness. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Zolmitriptan is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of age. However, if you have any concerns, consult your doctor.
Zolmitriptan is usually not recommended for persons older than 65 years. However, if you have any concerns, consult your doctor.
You are recommended not to stop taking Zolmitriptan on your own without first consulting your doctor as it may worsen your condition or cause recurring migraine. Therefore, continue taking Zolmitriptan for duration prescribed by your doctor. If you experience any difficulty while using Zolmitriptan, please consult your doctor.
You can take Zolmitriptan as soon as migraine headache starts. Never use it to prevent an attack. Always take Zolmitriptan exactly as advised by your doctor.
If you are having frequent or daily headaches, even if you take headache treatments on a regular basis, it may be due to medication overuse. You should speak with your doctor, who might decide to temporarily stop the medicine.
The symptoms of Zolmitriptan overdose include dizziness, fainting, vomiting, change in electrical activity of the heart, slow heartbeat, and inability to retain urine or stools.
Before using Zolmitriptan, you should inform your doctor if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, or heart disease in your family. Additionally, you should let your doctor know if you smoke, have gone through menopause, or are a man 40 years of age or older. Inform your physician if your headache is associated with dizziness, have trouble walking, lack of coordination, or arm or leg weakness. If you take any depression-related medications, such as sertraline, escitalopram oxalate, fluoxetine, venlafaxine, or duloxetine, your doctor should be aware of this as well. It is particularly critical that you let your doctor know if you have had short-lived chest pain and tightness.
Zolmitriptan is a member of the Triptan class of medications, which are based on tryptamine. Zolmitriptan should not be taken with another triptan. Taking two triptans at once may trigger a heart attack and may also increase blood pressure.
Migraine may run in families. Women are more likely than men to experience migraines. It has been observed that some pregnant women get fewer migraines than others, but not all of them.
Some people develop aura before getting a migraine attack. It may include visual problems, such as seeing flashing lights, blind spots or zig-zag patterns, dizziness, numbness, or a tingling sensation like pins and needles, or feeling off balance. You may also have loss of consciousness and difficulty speaking, although these are uncommon.
Medicines used to prevent migraine are generally used if you have tried to avoid possible triggers but are still experiencing migraines. These medications may also be prescribed if you experience frequent or very severe migraine attacks.
No, Zolmitriptan does not harm your liver, but if you already have a liver problem, inform your doctor before using Zolmitriptan.
