zolmitriptan (nasal)

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

Do not use zolmitriptan nasal 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.

What is zolmitriptan nasal?

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 nasal (for use in the nose) is used to treat migraine headaches in adults and children who are at least 12 years old.

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 using zolmitriptan nasal?

• 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;
• ischemic bowel disease; 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;
• a heart rhythm disorder;
• liver 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).

How should I use zolmitriptan nasal?

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.

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.

Use zolmitriptan as soon as you notice headache symptoms, or after an attack has already begun. The usual dose of zolmitriptan is a single spray into one nostril. Follow your doctor's instructions.

To use the nasal spray:

• Blow your nose gently before using the nasal spray. Remove the protective cap from the nasal spray device.
• Tilt your head back slightly and insert the tip of the bottle into one nostril. Press your other nostril closed with your finger. Breathe in quickly and press the plunger on the device to spray the medicine into your nose.
• Breathe in gently through your nose for 5 to 10 seconds, keeping your head tilted back.
• If the spray gets in your eyes or mouth or on your skin, rinse with water.

After using the nasal spray: If your headache goes away and comes back, use a second dose two (2) hours after the first. Do not use more than 10 mg of zolmitriptan in 24 hours. If your headache does not completely go away, call your doctor before using a second dose of zolmitriptan.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If you use zolmitriptan long-term, your doctor may want to check your heart function using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG), a machine that measures electrical activity of the heart. This will help your doctor determine if it is still safe for you to use this medicine.

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.

After using zolmitriptan, you must wait two (2) hours before using it a second time. Do not use more than 10 mg of zolmitriptan in 24 hours.

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while using zolmitriptan nasal?

• zolmitriptan tablets, almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), or sumatriptan (Imitrex, Treximet); or
• ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Migergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), or methylergonovine (Methergine).

What are the possible side effects of zolmitriptan nasal?

• feeling of pain or tightness in your jaw, neck, or throat;
• sudden and severe stomach pain and bloody diarrhea;
• bowel problems, weight loss, fever, stomach pain after meals;
• cramps or pain in your legs or hips;
• numbness, tingling, burning pain, coldness, and a pale or blue-colored appearance in your fingers or toes;
• irregular heartbeats;
• heart attack symptoms --chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your shoulder, nausea, sweating;
• 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; 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:

• unusual or unpleasant taste in your mouth;
• numbness;
• dizziness; or
• skin being more sensitive than usual.

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 nasal?

• 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 nasal.