What it is used for
- Acute treatment of a migraine attack with or without aura after the diagnosis is confirmed
- Relieving attack pain and associated symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light and sound
How it is used
- Take the tablet when migraine pain begins as prescribed, with or without food
- If the headache improves and then returns, follow the doctor's or leaflet's instructions; do not repeat it or combine headache medicines yourself
- If the first treatment does not help, do not take more for the same attack before asking the doctor because the diagnosis may need review
- Record headache days and treatment use, and see the doctor if attacks become more frequent
Possible side effects
- Dizziness, sleepiness or headache
- Nausea or dry mouth
- Tingling, numbness or a warm sensation
- Temporary pressure or heaviness in the chest, throat or neck
- Rarely, palpitations or raised blood pressure
Who should not use it
- Coronary artery disease, coronary spasm or a history of heart attack
- Stroke, transient ischaemic attack or severe peripheral vascular disease
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Hemiplegic migraine, migraine with brainstem symptoms, or allergy to the medicine
Before and while using it
- Severe or persistent chest pain, breathlessness or sweating needs emergency care and must not be treated with another dose
- Sudden weakness, speech difficulty or loss of vision may be a stroke rather than migraine and needs emergency care
- Frequent use of attack medicines can cause medication-overuse headache; see the doctor if headache days increase
- Fever with agitation, sweating, tremor or stiffness may be serotonin syndrome and needs urgent help
- It can cause dizziness or sleepiness; do not drive during an attack or until you know its effect
Medicine interactions
- Do not combine it with another triptan or an ergot medicine within the interval stated in the leaflet because of blood-vessel narrowing
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors and some liver-enzyme inhibitors can raise its level and must be reviewed
- Serotonergic antidepressants can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome
- Tell the doctor about every headache, blood-pressure or depression medicine and any herbs
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Tell the doctor if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy; use only when expected benefit justifies possible risk
- Ask the doctor before breastfeeding because the medicine may enter milk; suitable timing or an alternative may be advised
How to store it
- Keep tablets in their original pack, away from moisture, heat and children's reach
Get medical help straight away if
- Your face, lips or tongue swell, or you find it hard to breathe.
- You get a severe rash, blistering or peeling skin.
- A side effect worries you or doesn’t go away: contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Questions about this medicine?
Talk to a doctor by video, or send your question by text.
Source: Standard international medicine references
This guide is general information and doesn’t replace advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Don’t start, stop or change a medicine without asking them, and always read the leaflet in the pack.