Almotriptan is used to treat migraine (severe throbbing or pulsating sensation usually affecting one side of the head and is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound).
Take Almotriptan exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
Take Almotriptan only when you have a migraine attack.
Almotriptan should be taken at the first sign of a migraine headache. If your migraine headache does not go away after taking the first dose, do not take a second dose without first asking your doctor. If your doctor says that you can take a second dose, wait for at least 2 hours from the time you took the first dose before taking the second dose. Do not take more than 2 doses of this medicine within 24 hours.
Do not take Almotriptan if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or any of its ingredients.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of stroke
- blood circulation problems e.g. peripheral vascular disease (narrowing of the blood vessels supplying the arms and legs)
- heart disease e.g. heart attack, chest pain or discomfort that occurs with activity or when you are resting
- severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure
as Almotriptan may not be suitable for you.
Do not take Almotriptan if you have taken similar medicines used to treat migraines (e.g. triptans, ergot-containing medicines) in the last 24 hours.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- allergy to sulfonamides (an antibiotic)
- undiagnosed migraine
- at risk of heart disease (e.g. diabetes, high cholesterol level, family history of heart disease, obesity, smoker, postmenopausal female or male over the age of 40)
- liver disease
- moderate to severe kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to a child and the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Almotriptan should not be taken to prevent or reduce the number of migraine attacks.
Your doctor may need to do a medical examination and various tests before starting you on this medicine.
If you have an increased risk of heart disease, your doctor may advise you to take your first dose of this medicine in the clinic so that he can monitor your response. You will also be required to have regular heart check-ups while being treated with this medicine.
Almotriptan is not a painkiller. Do not take it for any other purpose other than to relieve a migraine.
Almotriptan may cause drowsiness or dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, dry mouth, weakness, muscle pain, bone pain, seizures, numbness or tingling sensation in the hands and feet, ringing in the ears, and blurred vision.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- tightness, pain, pressure or heaviness in the chest, throat, neck, or jaw
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- abdominal pain, blood in the stool
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Almotriptan if you have already taken similar medicines to treat migraine (e.g, sumatriptan, dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, methysergide) in the last 24 hours.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- medicines to treat depression e.g. fluoxetine, venlafaxine
- medicines to treat fungal infection e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Almotriptan.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Certain types of food and food additives such as chocolate, cheese, coffee and monosodium glutamate (MSG) may trigger a migraine attack. You may want to keep a food diary to help you identify possible foods that trigger off your attacks.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.