zolmitriptan (oral)

What is the most important information I should know about zolmitriptan?

Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Do not use zolmitriptan within 24 hours before or after using another migraine headache medicine.

What is zolmitriptan?

Zolmitriptan is a headache medicine that narrows blood vessels around the brain. Zolmitriptan also reduces substances in the body that can trigger headache pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other migraine symptoms.

Zolmitriptan is used to treat migraine headaches in adults.

Zolmitriptan will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

Zolmitriptan should not be used to treat a common tension headache, a headache that causes loss of movement on one side of your body, or any headache that seems to be different from your usual migraine headaches. Use this medication only if your condition has been confirmed by a doctor as migraine headaches.

Zolmitriptan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking zolmitriptan?

• coronary heart disease, angina (chest pain), blood circulation problems, lack of blood supply to the heart;
• a history of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke, including "mini-stroke";
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome;
• severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
• a blood vessel disorder or circulation problems that cause a lack of blood supply within the body; or
• a headache that seems different from your usual migraines.

Do not use zolmitriptan if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

To make sure zolmitriptan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• heart disease, high blood pressure, or a heart rhythm disorder;
• epilepsy or seizures;
• liver or kidney disease;
• a condition for which you take cimetidine (Tagamet); or
• coronary heart disease (or risk factors such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high cholesterol, having a family history of coronary artery disease, being older than 40 and a man, or being a woman who has had a hysterectomy).

Zolmitriptan disintegrating tablets may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of zolmitriptan if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

How should I take zolmitriptan?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Use zolmitriptan as soon as you notice migraine symptoms.

To take the orally disintegrating tablet (Zomig-ZMT):

• Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take it. Open the package and peel back the foil. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage the tablet.
• Use dry hands to remove the tablet and place it in your mouth.
• Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.

After taking a tablet: If your headache does not completely go away, or goes away and comes back, take a second tablet 2 hours after the first. Do not take more than 10 mg of zolmitriptan in 24 hours. If your symptoms have not improved, contact your doctor before taking any more tablets.

Never use more than your recommended dose. Overuse of migraine headache medicine can make headaches worse.

Zolmitriptan can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels. Your blood pressure may need to be checked often while you are using this medicine. Your heart function may need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG).

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since zolmitriptan is used as needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule. Call your doctor promptly if your symptoms do not improve after using zolmitriptan.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while taking zolmitriptan?

• zolmitriptan nasal spray, almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, or sumatriptan; or
• ergot medicine--dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine.

What are the possible side effects of zolmitriptan?

• feeling of tightness in your jaw, neck, throat, or chest;
• fast or pounding heartbeats, dizziness;
• sudden and severe stomach pain and bloody diarrhea;
• heart attack symptoms --chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating; or
• high levels of serotonin in the body --agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting.

Common side effects may include:

• pain or tightness in your throat or chest;
• dry mouth, upset stomach;
• pressure or heavy feeling anywhere in your body;
• drowsiness, feeling tired; or
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect zolmitriptan?

• medicine to treat depression;
• medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder;
• a narcotic (opioid) medication; or
• medicine to prevent nausea and vomiting.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with zolmitriptan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about zolmitriptan.