This first section of our medication database entry focuses on basic drug characteristics, uses and benefits, while part two covers side effects, interactions and additional information.
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Zomig Consumer Information
ZOMIG
Generic Name: zolmitriptan (zole mih TRIP tan)
Brand Names: Zomig, Zomig-ZMT
What is the most important information I should know about zolmitriptan?
- Do not take zolmitriptan if the headache you are experiencing is not like other migraines that you have had.
- Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you have heart disease including angina (chest pain), history of a heart attack, or high blood pressure. Serious, even fatal, side effects involving the heart have been reported with zolmitriptan and other similar medicines.
- Never take more of this medication than is prescribed by your doctor. If your symptoms are not being treated, contact your doctor.
What is zolmitriptan?
- Zolmitriptan is a headache medicine. It is believed to work by causing vasoconstriction (narrowing) of arteries and veins that supply blood to the head.
- Zolmitriptan is used to treat vascular headaches such as migraines. Zolmitriptan will not prevent migraines. It will only treat a migraine that is already occurring.
- Zolmitriptan may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking zolmitriptan?
- Do not take zolmitriptan without first talking to your doctor if you
- have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days;
- have taken an ergot-based medication within the last 24 hours--ergot-based medicines include methysergide (Sansert), ergotamine (Ergostat, Medihaler Ergotamine), dihydroergotamine mesylate (D.H.E., Migranal Nasal Spray), and ergotamine combination products (Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine, Cafatine, Cafatine-PB, Cafetrate);
- have taken almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), or sumatriptan (Imitrex) within the last 24 hours;
- have basilar or hemiplegic migraine headaches;
- have had a heart attack, have angina (chest pain), have irregular heartbeats, or have another type of heart disease; or
- are experiencing a headache that is not like other migraines you have had.
- Taking zolmitriptan may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions, or have taken any of the medications, listed above.
- Before taking zolmitriptan, tell your doctor if you
- have risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease, high cholesterol (a type of fat), are overweight, diabetes, smoke cigarettes, are postmenopausal, are a male over 40 years of age;
- have liver disease;
- have kidney disease; or
- have seizures or epilepsy.
- You may not be able to take zolmitriptan, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
- Each 2.5 mg Zomig-ZMT orally disintegrating tablet contains 2.81 mg phenylalanine. Individuals with phenylketonuria may need to monitor their intake of this additive.
- Zolmitriptan is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether zolmitriptan will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
- It is not known whether zolmitriptan passes into human breast milk. Do not take zolmitriptan without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take zolmitriptan?
- Take zolmitriptan exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take one or one-half regular Zomig tablet with a glass of water as soon as you notice symptoms of a migraine, or at any time during an attack.
- Administration with liquid is not necessary for the Zomig-ZMT orally disintegrating tablets. Just prior to taking a dose, peel open the blister pack and place the tablet on the tongue, where it will dissolve and be swallowed with the saliva. The Zomig-ZMT tablets should not be broken.
- If your symptoms do not improve, call your doctor before taking any more doses of zolmitriptan.
- If your symptoms go away and then return, you can take a another dose of zolmitriptan every 2 hours, if needed, up to a maximum of 10 mg in 24 hours unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Never take more than this amount.
- Store zolmitriptan at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
- Since zolmitriptan is taken to treat migraines as they occur and not to prevent them, missing a dose does not usually occur. Take only the doses you need, according to your doctor's instructions.
What happens if I overdose?
- Seek emergency medical attention.
- Symptoms of a zolmitriptan overdose are not well known but may include sedation.
What should I avoid while taking zolmitriptan?
- Do not take zolmitriptan if the headache you are experiencing is not like other migraines that you have had.
- Never take more of this medication than is prescribed by your doctor.
Please see the end of this document for relevant limitations, full details of our medication information supplier, and revision date or version number.