Zomig

The active ingredient in Zomig is zolmitriptan, which is a triptan. It acts by binding to certain serotonin receptor agonists in the brain and nervous system. When Zomig binds to these receptors, it narrows blood vessels in your brain. It is also known to inhibit the transmission of pain impulses through your nerves.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Zomig. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Zomig:

• Use Zomig as soon as you have symptoms of a migraine attack.
• Swallow Zomig tablets whole, with a full glass of water.
• Take the orally disintegrating pill (Zomig-ZMT):
• Store the tablet in its blister pack until you're ready to take it. Peel back the foil as you open the package. Do not force a tablet through the foil, since this may cause harm.
• Use dry hands to remove the tablet and place it in your mouth.
• Don't swallow the tablet whole. Let it melt in your mouth without chewing. If necessary, drink fluids to aid in swallowing the dissolved tablet.
• If your headache persists or returns after taking your first dose of Zomig, you can take a second dose two hours later. Take no more than 10 mg of zolmitriptan in a 24-hour period. If your symptoms have not improved, consult your doctor before taking any additional medications.
• Never use more than the specified dosage. Using Zomig more often than prescribed may cause medicine overuse headaches or rebound headaches.
• Zomig can elevate blood pressure to hazardous amounts. Your blood pressure may need to be monitored often while using this medication. An electrocardiograph (ECG), often known as an EKG, may be used to assess your heart function.

The most common side effects of Zomig include:

• Dizziness.
• Feeling like there are pins and needles in your arms and legs.
• Dry mouth.
• Nausea.
• Chest pain (angina) or tightness/heaviness of the body.
• Drowsiness.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Zomig. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Heart attack: chest or arm pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, arm pain, or a cold sweat.
• Stroke: abrupt weakness on one side of the body, a headache, changes in speech or vision, and confusion.
• Serotonin syndrome: high fever, a racing heart, hallucinations, rapid changes in thought or mood, and mobility issues.

-Irregular heart rate or rhythm such as a fast, slow, pounding, or skipping heartbeat.

• Allergic reactions: rash, hives, trouble breathing or swallowing, and swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat.
• Blood vessel problems: stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, tingling, or change in color in your fingers and toes (Raynaud's syndrome), vision problems.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Zomig. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Zomig, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including if you have:

• An allergy to zolmitriptan.
• Coronary heart disease (or risk factors such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, a family history of coronary artery disease, being over 40 and male, or being a woman who has had a hysterectomy).
• Angina (chest pain).
• Blood circulation issues.
• A history of heart illness, heart attack, or stroke (including "mini-stroke").
• Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or other heart problems.
• Severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension).
• A headache that differs from your typical migraine cluster headaches.
• Seizures.
• Liver or kidney illness.
• A condition for which you take cimetidine (Tagamet).
• Phenylketonuria (PKU) as Zomig orally disintegrating tablets may contain phenylalanine.
• Taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) in the previous 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

• History of heart problems (such as chest pain or a heart attack)
• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias).
• A history of a stroke or "mini-stroke".
• History of migraines with double vision, dizziness, and movement issues, as well as migraines with weakness on one side of the body.
• Conditions affecting your blood vessels or blood supply (for example, peripheral artery disease or ischemic bowel disease).
• Unmanaged high blood pressure.
• Have consumed another triptan, ergotamine-containing drug, or ergot-type medication within the previous 24 hours.
• Taking MAOI such as phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate) currently or within the last two weeks.

Zomig usually works within two hours to ease migraine pain. In tests, the medicine was shown to reduce pain to minimal or no pain within this time range.

When Zomig is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Do not take Zomig within 24 hours before or after using another migraine headache medicine, including zolmitriptan nasal spray, almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), sumatriptan (Imitrex, Treximet), or ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Migergot), methysergide (Sansert), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), or methylergonovine.
• Tell your doctor if you are already taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant like citalopram (Celexa), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor).

Take Zomig in one dose at the first symptom of a migraine. If the headache persists or returns, you may take another dose two hours after the previous one. The highest single dose is a 5 mg tablet. Take no more than 10 mg in 24 hours.

Tablets (Zomig and generics)

Adults Only: For migraine pain, a normal starting dose is 1.25 mg or 2.5 mg taken orally once.

Oral tablet (Zomig ZMT brand and generics).

Adults Only: For migraine headaches, a normal initial dose is 1.25 mg or 2.5 mg given once on the tongue.

Zomig nasal spray:

Adults and children aged 12 or older: For migraine pain, a normal starting dose is 2.5 mg sprayed into one nostril once.

Zomig is taken as needed. It is not approved to prevent migraine attacks or to treat hemiplegic or basilar migraines.

Store your Zomig at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.

The pharmaceutical company that manufactures Zomig is AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.

There are several lower-cost generic versions available of Zomig.

Zomig is an as-needed medication so there is no specific way to stop taking Zomig.

There are no adequate studies of Zomig's safety in pregnant women. It should only be used if the benefits outweigh the risks. Talk to your doctor if you are already pregnant or if you have any plans to become pregnant. They will know or recommend what is best for you.

There is some evidence that suggests that Zomig is found in small amounts in breast milk and is not likely to affect your nursing infant. However, you should talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed. They will know or recommend what is best for you.