GP and surgeon, Dr Shane Charles (MBBS, MRCS, PgDip SEM) provides a simple explanation of the medication below:

'Zolmitriptan is a medication used in the management of acute migraine. '.

If you think Zolmitriptan is a treatment that can help you, start an online consultation now for a registered prescriber to review. If treatment is deemed suitable, they can prescribe it, and we can deliver it to you from the comfort of your own home with a range of convenient delivery and payment options for you to choose from. If you have any questions about a medication, you should always consult your doctor with any questions prior to starting treatment, to ensure that it is safe and suitable for you.

Zolmitriptan is a pain-killing medication used for the treatment of acute migraine headaches among sufferers. The headache medicine works only on headaches that are existing and it will not prevent pain from recurring migraine attacks or minimise in any way its occurrence.

For more information on the prescription medication patients should refer to the Zolmitriptan patient information leaflet.

Zolmitriptan works by narrowing the blood vessels in the brain. It also minimizes the occurrence of certain substances in the body that triggers the migraine pain, sensitivity to sound and light, nausea, and other related symptoms.

Zolmitriptan, when utilised as traditional oral tablets, is found effective in treating migraine with or without aura. It is also useful in treating migraines associated with menstruation. Medical doctors advise the use of the medication during an actual episode of migraine or the drug will not benefit you at all.

Zolmitriptan Tablets

Zolmitriptan is currently available as a nasal spray, an oral disintegrating tablet, and as a plain tablet that can be swallowed. It is available in doses of 2.5 mg and 5 mg.

This tablet is to be taken by mouth with or without meal as prescribed by your physician, during the migraine attack. The dosage will have to depend on the medical condition of the patient, other prescription drugs taken, and response to treatment. Inform your doctor right away if you are using other medications – prescription, non-prescription, and herbal or other alternative products.

Use Zolmitriptan the moment you experience any migraine signs and symptoms. Take a tablet with a full glass of water. If your migraine does not go away, you can take a second tablet after 2 hours of taking the first one. Never attempt to take more than 10 mg of the medication in a span of 24 hours.

The suggested dosage for Zolmitriptan for treating migraine headaches is 2.5 mg. The medication is to be used within the onset of a migraine attack. The symptoms of migraine are sure to recur within 24 hours of initial attack, so sufferers can take a second dose. An interval of 2 hours must be observed before taking the next dose should migraine persist.

When the patient does not obtain any relief with the standard 2.5 mg tablet, take a 5 mg dose of Zolmitriptan for the second dose.

The total daily average intake must not be over 10 mg. Do not take more than two doses of the drug within a 24 hour period.

Zolmitriptan Side Effects

Zolmitriptan side effects include allergic reactions as hives, difficulty breathing, swollen face, throat, tongue, and lips, as well as the following:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Diarrhoea
• Hallucinations
• Rapid heartbeat
• Fainting
• Loss of coordination
• Severe stomach pains
• Bloody diarrhoea

The most common side effects of Zolmitriptan can include:

• Upset stomach
• Tightness in the chest
• Dry mouth
• Heavy feeling
• Feeling exhausted
• Drowsiness
• Flushing or redness

If you experience any serious side effects, stop taking the medication and contact your physician right away.

Zolmitriptan Warnings

The drug should not be used to treat common headaches. Use it only if your condition is identified as migraine headache. Do not use the medication if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, history of stroke or heart attack, or if you have blood circulation problems.

It is advised not to take the medication if you have utilized any medication with MAO inhibitor in the past two weeks like rasagiline, linezolid, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline, methylene blue injection, or tranylcypromine. It is prohibited to use the drug if you have used any other migraine medication within the 24 hour period.

Stop using Zolmitriptan if you have allergies to medication, or if you have:

• Angina
• Coronary heart ailment
• Lack blood supply to your heart
• Blood circulation related problems
• Wolff Parkinson White disease
• History of heart attack
• Experienced stroke even if its mild stroke
• Extremely high blood pressure
• Blood vessel problem
• Blood circulation problem
• Headache that is different from your migraine

Zolmitriptan in a dissolvable tablet may contain Aspartame. Anyone who is sensitive to the ingredient must avoid the medicine and especially patients who have Phenylketonuria. Always talk to your doctor if you are suffering any existing medical condition to avoid any health issues.

Children below the age of twelve years old are ordered to refrain from using the drug. There is no medical study indicating the efficacy and safety of the tablet among pediatric patients. Use of the medication by children is thus strongly prohibited.

Zolmitriptan is also not suitable for patients over 65 years of age. Again, there is no medical study conducted that points to the safety as well as efficiency of the drug among patients over 65 years old. Hence, the use of the medication among old patients is not recommended.

You can safely buy Zolmitriptan online at UK Meds. You will first need to have an online consultation with a pharmacist independent prescriber before your order will be supplied. The online consultation will ensure that Zolmitriptan is the right medication for your medical condition.

More Information

• Different types of migraine