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| Generic Name: | zolmitriptan |
| Pronounced: | zole mih TRIP tan |
| Brand Names: | Zomig,
Zomig-ZMT |
What is the most important information I should know about zolmitriptan? |
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 | 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. |
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| Do not take zolmitriptan if the headache you are experiencing is not like other migraines that
you have had. |
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| Never take more of this medication than is prescribed by your doctor. If your symptoms are not
being treated, contact your doctor. |
 | Zolmitriptan may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Use caution when driving, operating
machinery, or performing other hazardous activities until you can evaluate the effects of the medication. |
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What is zolmitriptan? |
| Zolmitriptan is a headache medicine. It is believed to work by causing vasoconstriction
(narrowing) of blood vessels (arteries and veins) around the brain. Zolmitriptan also reduces the release
of substances in the body that contribute to headache pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and
other migraine symptoms. |
| 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 |
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have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days;
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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);
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have taken almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax),
frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), or sumatriptan
(Imitrex) within the last 24 hours;
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have basilar or hemiplegic migraine headaches;
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have had a heart attack, have angina (chest pain), have
irregular heartbeats, or have another type of heart disease;
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have a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA
or "mini-stroke");
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are experiencing a headache that is not like other migraines
you have had; or
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have an allergy to zolmitriptan or another similar medicine
such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge),
rizatriptan (Maxalt), or sumatriptan (Imitrex).
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| 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 |
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risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, a family
history of heart disease, high cholesterol (a type of fat in the blood), are overweight, have
diabetes, smoke cigarettes, are postmenopausal, or are a male over 40 years of age;
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liver disease;
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kidney disease; or
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seizures or epilepsy.
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| 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. Each 5 mg
Zomig-ZMT tablet contains 5.62 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 be harmful to 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. |
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How should I take zolmitriptan? |
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| 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 zolmitriptan as soon as you notice symptoms of a migraine, or at any time during an
attack. |
 | Take one or one-half regular Zomig tablet with a glass of water, as directed by your doctor. |
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| 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. |
| Use the nasal spray as directed by your healthcare provider. Blow your nose gently before use.
Remove the protective cap just before use. Hold the nasal sprayer device with your fingers and thumb.
Do not press the plunger until you have put the tip of the device into your nostril. Block one nostril by
pressing on the side of the nose with your finger. Either nostril can be used. Put the tip of the sprayer
into the other nostril as far as feels comfortable and tilt your head slightly back. Breathe in gently
through the nose and press the plunger firmly with your thumb at the same time. Keep your head slightly
tilted back and remove the tip from your nose. Breathe gently through your mouth for 5-10 seconds.
You may feel liquid in your nose or the back of your throat. This is normal and will soon pass. |
| If your symptoms do not improve, contact 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. Any single form or combination of Zomig regular tablets,
orally-disintegrating tablets, and nasal spray should not exceed 10 mg in 24 hours. |
 | Store zolmitriptan at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and the reach of children.
Throw away an unused medication on the expiration date. |
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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 if an overdose is suspected. |
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| Symptoms of a zolmitriptan overdose are not well known but may include sedation. |
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What should I avoid while taking zolmitriptan? |
| Zolmitriptan may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Use caution when driving, operating
machinery, or performing other hazardous activities until you can evaluate the effects of the medication. |
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What are the possible side effects of zolmitriptan? |
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| If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking zolmitriptan and seek
emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
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severe or prolonged chest pain or an irregular heartbeat;
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chest, neck, or jaw pain, tightness, or heaviness;
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sudden or severe stomach pain;
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problems seeing; or
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unusual weakness or numbness.
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| Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
take zolmitriptan and talk to your doctor if you experience |
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dry mouth;
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unusual taste in the mouth;
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nausea;
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muscle tiredness or weakness;
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tightness, heaviness, or pressure on a body part (other than
the chest, neck, or jaw);
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drowsiness or dizziness; or
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tingling, tightness, warmth, or heaviness in a body part.
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| Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. |
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What other drugs will affect zolmitriptan? |
| Do not take zolmitriptan if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) within the last 14 days. The
combination could cause seizures, nausea, vomiting, sweating, flushing, and dizziness. |
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| Do not take zolmitriptan if you have taken any of the following medicines within the
previous 24 hours: |
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an ergot-based medication such as methysergide (Sansert),
ergotamine (Ergostat, Medihaler Ergotamine), dihydroergotamine mesylate (D.H.E., Migranal
Nasal Spray), an ergotamine combination product (Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine, Cafatine,
Cafatine-PB, Cafetrate), and others; or
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almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan
(Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), or sumatriptan (Imitrex).
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| Taking zolmitriptan within 24 hours of any of the medicines listed above may
be dangerous. |
| Before taking zolmitriptan, tell your doctor if you are taking a selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitor (SSRI) such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine
(Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft). You may not be able to take zolmitriptan, or you may
require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the
medicines listed. |
| Before taking zolmitriptan, talk to your doctor if you are taking cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet
HB). You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment. |
| Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with zolmitriptan. Talk to your doctor and
pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals,
and herbal products. |
Where can I get more information? |
| Your pharmacist has additional information about zolmitriptan written for health professionals
that you may read. |
What does my medication look like? |
| Zolmitriptan is available with a prescription under the brand name Zomig. Other brand or
generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this
medication, especially if it is new to you. |
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Zomig 2.5 mg--yellow, biconvex, film-coated tablets
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Zomig 5 mg--pink, biconvex, film-coated tablets
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Zomig-ZMT 2.5 mg-round, white tablets
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| Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your
medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner
Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee
is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time
sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare
practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does
not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless
specifically indicated otherwise.
Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or
recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource
designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their
patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to,
and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug
combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug
combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum
does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered
with the aid of information Multum provides.
The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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