naratriptan

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

Do not take naratriptan within 24 hours before or after using another migraine headache medicine.

What is naratriptan?

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

Naratriptan is used to treat migraine headaches. Naratriptan will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

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

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using naratriptan?

• severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
• past or present heart problems;
• history of coronary artery disease, heart attack, or stroke, including "mini-stroke";
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or other heart rhythm disorder;
• a blood vessel disorder or circulation problems that cause a lack of blood supply within the body;
• severe liver or kidney disease; or
• a headache that seems different from your usual migraine headaches.

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

• liver or kidney disease;
• high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder; 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).

How should I use naratriptan?

Your doctor may want to give your first dose of this medicine in a hospital or clinic setting to quickly treat any serious side effects that occur.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Never use more than your recommended dose. Overuse of migraine headache medicine can make headaches worse. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your migraine attacks.

Take naratriptan as soon as you notice migraine symptoms.

Do not take the second tablet until at least 4 hours have passed since you took the first tablet. Do not take more than 5 milligrams (mg) of naratriptan in 24 hours.

Tell your doctor if you have more than four headaches in one month (30 days).

Naratriptan can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels. Your blood pressure may need to be checked often while you are using this medicine. If you use naratriptan long-term, 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 naratriptan is used as needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after using naratriptan.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include tiredness, neck stiffness, loss of coordination, or feeling light-headed.

What should I avoid while using naratriptan?

• medicines like naratriptan--almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, and others; or
• ergot medicine--dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine.

What are the possible side effects of naratriptan?

• fast or pounding heartbeats;
• numbness or tingling and a pale or blue-colored appearance in your fingers or toes;
• pain or heavy feeling in your legs, hip pain, burning pain in your feet;
• sudden and severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, constipation, fever, weight loss;
• dangerously high blood pressure --severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, nosebleed, anxiety, confusion, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, seizure;
• heart attack symptoms --chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
• high levels of serotonin in the body --agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting; or
• signs of a stroke --sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance.

Common side effects may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness;
• feeling weak or tired;
• numbness or tingling;
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
• nausea; or
• pain or tightness in your jaw, neck, or throat.

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 naratriptan?

• 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 naratriptan, 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 naratriptan.