Naratriptan

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to get rid of or decrease the pain and symptoms of a migraine headache. It is not used to prevent future attacks.
• It may take 1-3 hours to feel the full benefits of this medicine.

How does it work?

• Naratriptan works by squeezing certain blood vessels in the brain and preventing irritation/inflammation.

How is it best taken?

• Swallow tablet whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• Take with liquids as early as possible after the attack has started.
• If no headache relief by 4 hours after the first dose, then take another dose.
• Do not take more than 5 mg as a total daily dose.
• Do not take within 24 hours of other migraine medication without consulting healthcare provider.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• This medicine is taken on an as needed basis, not on a regularly scheduled one. It can be taken any time during the course of the headache, but sooner is better.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can worsen headache.
• Do not take if you have a history of angina (chest pain from the heart), heart spasms, heart attack, or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• Do not take within 24 hours of other headache medicines. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are taking any medicines for depression, like monoamine oxidase inhibitors. These include isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine. Certain medicines do not mix well with this medicine.
• Use caution if you have risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight, diabetes, cigarette smoking, a male >40 years of age, other family members with heart disease, postmenopausal women). Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling sleepy, lightheaded, or dizzy. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Numbness or tingling of hands or feet.

What should I monitor?

• Return of headache. Talk with healthcare provider if it changes from usual course or if it does not get better with this medicine.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• No relief of headache after treatment.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Chest pain, tightness, or heaviness, throat pain or tightness, rapid heartbeat, or difficult breathing.
• Too tired or sleepy.
• Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
• Any rash.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant)
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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