Medications and Drugs
GENERIC NAME: zolmitriptan
BRAND NAME: Zomig
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Zolmitriptan is a drug for
treating migraine headaches. Migraine headaches are believed to
result from dilation of the blood vessels in the brain. Zolmitriptan
causes constriction of the blood vessels and thereby relieves the
pain of a migraine headache. While zolmitriptan is very effective in
relieving migraine headaches, it does not prevent or reduce the
number of headaches if taken prophylactically. Its mechanism of
action and effectiveness are similar to those of sumatriptan
(Imitrex). Zolmitriptan was approved by the FDA in November of 1997.
GENERIC AVAILABLE: No
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: Orally disintegrating: 2.5 mg
STORAGE: Zolmitriptan should be stored at room
temperature, away from heat and light. It should be kept out of the
reach of children.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Zolmitriptan is used to relieve migraine
headaches and associated nausea and sensitivity to light. It should
not be used to treat types of headaches other than migraine.
DOSING: Dosing: The initial dose is 2.5 mg or less. The dose can be repeated after 2
hours if symptoms persist. The maximum dose is 10 mg per day. Doses less than
2.5 mg can be achieved by splitting the 2.5 mg tablet.
Zolmitriptan may be taken with or without food.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, for
example, isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil),
tranylcypromine (Parnate), and procarbazine (Matulane)) may
exaggerate the effects of zolmitriptan.
Zolmitriptan directly stimulates serotonin receptors on nerves.
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that are used for treating
depression, e.g., fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), and
sertraline (Zoloft), enhance the effects of serotonin by preventing
its uptake by nerves. Therefore, the combination of zolmitriptan and
an SSRI may lead to exaggerated effects of serotonin, and has been
reported to cause weakness, increased reflexes, and loss of
coordination.
Ergots, like dihydroergotamine (DHE) and ergotamine tartrate
(Cafergot) that often are used to treat migraine headaches, can cause
blood vessels to go into spasm. It is possible that the combination
of ergots and zolmitriptan will result in exaggerated spasm of the
vessels. Therefore, it is not recommended that zolmitriptan and
ergots be used within 24 hours of each other.
Cimetidine (Tagamet) may double the concentration of zolmitriptan in
the blood by interfering with its elimination. Potentially, this may
lead to zolmitriptan toxicity.
PREGNANCY: Safe use in pregnancy has not been established.
NURSING MOTHERS: Safe use in nursing mothers has not been
established.
SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects are generally transient. Some
common side effects include pain or tightness in the chest or throat,
tingling sensations, flushing, weakness, dizziness, abdominal
discomfort, and sweating. Rarely, allergic reactions (even shock)
have been reported though usually in individuals who are highly
allergic to many substances.
Reference: FDA Prescribing Information
Last Editorial Review: 3/30/2002
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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