Axert

Generic name: Almotriptan
Drug class: Antimigraine agents

Usage of Axert

Axert is a headache medicine that narrows blood vessels around the brain. This medicine also reduces substances in the body that can trigger headache pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other migraine symptoms.

Axert is used to treat migraine headaches in adults and in adolescents who are at least 12 years old. This medicine will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

Axert should not be used to treat a common tension headache, a headache that causes loss of movement on one side of your body, or any headache that seems to be different from your usual migraine headaches. Use Axert only if your condition has been confirmed by a doctor as migraine headaches.

Axert may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Axert side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Axert and get emergency medical help if you have heart attack symptoms: chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating, and feeling light-headed.

Axert may cause serious side effects. Stop using Axert and call your doctor at once if you have:

numbness or tingling and a pale or blue-colored appearance in your fingers or toes;

blood circulation problems--weakness or heavy feeling in your legs, burning pain in your feet, leg cramps, hip pain, numbness or tingling in your legs;

high levels of serotonin in the body--agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting; or

stomach or intestinal problems--severe stomach pain (especially after eating), fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloody or tarry stools.

Common side effects of Axert may include:

dry mouth;

nausea, vomiting;

numbness, tingling, or burning sensation;

dizziness, drowsiness; or

mild headache (not a migraine).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Axert

You should not take Axert if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;

past or present heart problems;

history of coronary artery disease, angina, (chest pain), heart attack, or stroke, including "mini-stroke";

a blood vessel disorder or circulation problems that cause a lack of blood supply within the body; or

a headache that seems different from your usual migraine headaches.

To make sure Axert is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

a sulfa drug allergy;

liver or kidney disease;

kidney disease;

high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder; or

risk factors for coronary artery disease (such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, having a family history of heart disease, or being older than 40 and a man).

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether almotriptan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medicine to anyone under 12 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Axert

Your doctor may want to give your first dose of Axert in a hospital or clinic setting to quickly treat any serious side effects that occur.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take Axert as soon as you notice migraine symptoms.

After taking a tablet: If your headache goes away and comes back, take a second tablet 2 hours after the first. Do not take more than 2 tablets of almotriptan tablets in 24 hours. If your symptoms have not improved, contact your doctor before taking any more tablets.

Call your doctor if your headache does not go away at all after taking the first Axert tablet.

Never use more than your recommended dose. Overuse of migraine headache medicine can make headaches worse.

Contact your doctor if you have more than four headaches in one month (30 days). Tell your doctor if this medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your migraine attacks.

If you use Axert long-term, your heart function may need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG). This will help your doctor determine if it is still safe for you to take this medicine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Warnings

You should not use Axert if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart problems, a history of heart attack or stroke, or circulation problems that cause a lack of blood supply within the body.

Do not take Axert within 24 hours before or after using another migraine headache medicine.

Stop using Axert and get emergency medical help if you have: chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating, and a light-headed feeling.

What other drugs will affect Axert

Taking Axert while you are using certain other medicines can cause high levels of serotonin to build up in your body, a condition called "serotonin syndrome," which can be fatal. Tell your doctor if you also use:

medicine to treat depression;

medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder;

a narcotic (opioid) medication; or

medicine to prevent nausea and vomiting.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you have used within the past 14 days, and all medicines you start or stop using during your treatment with Axert, especially:

ritonavir;

antifungal medicine--itraconazole, ketoconazole; or

an MAO inhibitor--isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with almotriptan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Disclaimer

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