Zomig

Pronunciation: ZOLE-mi-TRIP-tan
Generic Name: Zolmitriptan
Brand Name: Zomig

Zomig is used for:

Treating migraine headaches with or without aura (flashing lights, wavy lines, dark spots) in adults. It is not intended to prevent migraines.

Zomig is a serotonin 5-HT₁ receptor agonist ("triptan"). It works by narrowing blood vessels in the brain, which helps to relieve migraines.

Do NOT use Zomig if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Zomig


• you have certain types of irregular heartbeat (eg, symptomatic Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome)


• you have a history of ischemic heart disease (eg, angina, a heart attack), coronary artery disease (CAD), other moderate to severe heart problems, brain blood vessel disease (eg, a stroke, a transient ischemic attack), or other blood vessel disease (eg, Raynaud syndrome, ischemic bowel disease)


• you have uncontrolled high blood pressure


• you have certain types of migraines (eg, hemiplegic, basilar)


• you have used an ergot alkaloid (eg, ergotamine) or another "triptan" migraine medicine in the last 24 hours


• you are taking sibutramine


• you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the past 14 days

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Zomig:

Some medical conditions may interact with Zomig. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a history of liver or kidney problems, seizures (eg epilepsy), heart problems (eg, irregular heartbeat), or other types of headaches (eg, cluster headaches)


• if you have shortness of breath, chest pain, or a history of high blood pressure, a heart attack, a stroke, high cholesterol, diabetes, or smoking


• if you are a woman who is past menopause


• if you are a man who is over 40 years old


• if you are very overweight


• if a family member has had heart disease or a stroke

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Zomig. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (eg, duloxetine), or sibutramine because the risk of a serious side effect called serotonin syndrome may be increased. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include mental or mood changes, hallucinations, fast heartbeat, fever, loss of coordination, muscle spasms, increased sweating, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea


• Cimetidine or MAOIs (eg, phenelzine) because they may increase the risk of Zomig's side effects


• Ergot derivatives (eg, dihydroergotamine, methysergide) or other serotonin 5-HT₁ receptor agonists (eg, eletriptan, rizatriptan) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Zomig

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Zomig may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Zomig:

Use Zomig as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Zomig. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.


• Take Zomig by mouth with or without food.


• It is best to use Zomig as soon as you notice the headache symptoms of a migraine attack.


• If your migraine symptoms go away and then come back, you may take a second dose as directed by your doctor. Wait at least 2 hours between doses.


• If your symptoms do not get better after the first dose, do not take a second dose for the same attack. Contact your doctor.


• Do NOT take more than the amount prescribed by your doctor in a 24-hour period or treat more than 3 headaches within 30 days without checking with your doctor.


• If your medicine has expired, throw it away.


• If you miss a dose of Zomig and you still have a headache, follow your doctor's dosing instructions. Contact your doctor if you are unsure of what to do if you miss a dose. Do NOT use Zomig more often than prescribed. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Zomig.

Important safety information:

• Zomig may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Zomig with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Overuse of Zomig can cause your headache to become worse. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use more often than prescribed without checking with your doctor.


• Rarely, serious heart problems (eg, a heart attack, irregular heartbeat) have been reported within a few hours of using Zomig. Contact your doctor at once if fast or irregular heartbeat; chest, jaw, or neck pain or numbness; numbness of an arm or leg; severe stomach pain, dizziness, or vomiting; fainting; or vision changes occur. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.


• Serotonin syndrome is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Zomig. Your risk may be greater if you take Zomig with certain other medicines (eg, SSRIs, SNRIs). Symptoms may include agitation; confusion; hallucinations; coma; fever; fast or irregular heartbeat; tremor; excessive sweating; and nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.


• Zomig should not be used to prevent or reduce the number of migraine headaches you have. If you have a headache that is different than your usual migraine headaches, check with your doctor before using Zomig.


• Lab tests, including heart function, may be performed while you use Zomig. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Zomig with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Zomig should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Zomig while you are pregnant. It is not known if Zomig is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Zomig, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Zomig:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Burning, numbness, or tingling of the skin; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; feeling of heaviness or pressure; nausea; warm or hot sensation; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); bloody diarrhea; chest pain; confusion; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; numbness or tingling of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; pain, tightness, or pressure in the jaw, neck, or chest; severe headache, dizziness, or vomiting; severe stomach pain; shortness of breath; speech changes; very cold or blue fingers or toes; vision changes or loss of vision; wheezing.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Zomig side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include unusual drowsiness.

Proper storage of Zomig:

Store Zomig at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Zomig out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Zomig, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Zomig is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Zomig. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Zomig resources

• Zomig Side Effects (in more detail)
• Zomig Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Zomig Drug Interactions
• Zomig Support Group
• 23 Reviews for Zomig - Add your own review/rating

• Zomig Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Zomig Consumer Overview


• Zomig Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Zomig Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Zolmitriptan Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

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