What Is Naratriptan?
Naratriptan is used to treat migraine headaches. Naratriptan will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.
Naratriptan 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 this medicine only if your condition has been confirmed by a doctor as migraine headaches.
Naratriptan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not use this medicine if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart problems, certain heart rhythm disorders, severe liver or kidney disease, a history of heart attack or stroke, or circulation problems that cause a lack of blood supply within the body.
Do not use naratriptan to treat any headache condition that has not been checked by your doctor.
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to naratriptan, or if you have:
- severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
- past or present heart problems;
- history of coronary artery disease, heart attack, or stroke, including "mini-stroke";
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or other heart rhythm disorder;
- blood vessel disorder or circulation problems that cause a lack of blood supply within the body;
- severe liver or kidney disease; or
- a headache that seems different from your usual migraine headaches.
- liver or kidney disease;
- high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder; or
- coronary heart disease (or risk factors such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high cholesterol, having a family history of coronary artery disease, being older than 40 and a man, or being a woman who has had a hysterectomy).
It is not known whether naratriptan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 18.
Naratriptan Side Effects
Stop using naratriptan and call your doctor at once if you have:
- fast or pounding heartbeats;
- numbness or tingling and a pale or blue-colored appearance in your fingers or toes;
- pain or heavy feeling in your legs, hip pain, burning pain in your feet;
- sudden and severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, constipation, fever, weight loss;
- dangerously high blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, nosebleed, anxiety, confusion, severe chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats, seizure;
- heart attack symptoms--chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating; or
- signs of a stroke--sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance.
- dizziness, drowsiness;
- feeling weak or tired;
- numbness or tingling;
- flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling);
- nausea; or
- pain or tightness in your jaw, neck, or throat.
Naratriptan Interactions
- medicines like naratriptan--eletriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan (Zomig), and others; or
- ergot medicine--dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine.
If you also take medicine to treat depression, naratriptan may cause high levels of serotonin in your body. Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, or fainting.
Other drugs may interact with naratriptan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.
Naratriptan Dosage
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Never use more than your recommended dose. Overuse of migraine headache medicine can make headaches worse. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your migraine attacks.
Take naratriptan as soon as you notice headache symptoms, or after an attack has already begun.
Take 1 tablet whole with a full glass of water.
After taking a tablet: If your headache does not go away completely, or if it goes away and comes back, call your doctor before taking a second tablet.
Do not take the second tablet until at least 4 hours have passed since you took the first tablet. Do not take more than 5 milligrams (mg) of naratriptan in 24 hours.
If your symptoms have not improved after taking 2 tablets in 24 hours, contact your doctor before taking any more tablets.
Tell your doctor if you have more than four headaches in one month (30 days).
Naratriptan can raise blood pressure to dangerous levels. Your blood pressure may need to be checked often while you are using this medicine. If you use naratriptan long-term, your heart function may need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG).
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include tiredness, neck stiffness, loss of coordination, or feeling light-headed.
Since naratriptan is used as needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after using naratriptan.
Naratriptan Pictures
