Zolmitriptan

What is this medication for?

Zolmitriptan is a selective serotonin receptor agonist. It works by reducing inflammation and reversing the widening of blood vessels in the brain, thereby stopping a migraine headache. It is often used to treat a migraine attack after it begins. It will not prevent a migraine.

How should I take or use this medication?

• Follow your doctor’s instructions as to how many tablets to take when the attack starts. It should work within 1 hour.
• If your migraine improves but comes back, wait at least 2 hours before taking the next dose. Do not take more than (4 tablets) 10mg per day.
• However, if you are taking a medication called cimetidine (for indigestion or stomach ulcers), the maximum dose per day is (2 tablets) 5mg.
• Do not use zolmitriptan too frequently (limit of 10 days use per month), as it may cause medication overuse headache (migraine/headache may worsen).
• Zomig Rapimelt is designed to dissolve on the tongue rather than be swallowed. Peel open the foil packaging and gently remove a tablet. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Place it on your tongue and allow it to dissolve before you swallow.
• You may take this medication with or without food.
• If the tablets did not give you enough help with your migraine, consult your doctor.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication.
• You have history of heart condition or stroke, uncontrolled blood pressure, liver or kidney diseases.
• You are taking medications under the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) e.g. fluoxetine, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) e.g. venlafaxine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) e.g. isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine.
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.

What are some common side effects of this medication? ​

• Feeling sleepy, dizziness, tiredness, muscle weakness

  • Do not drive or use machinery
  • Do not drink alcohol when taking this medication
• Pain or tightness in your throat or jaw
  • If pain is intense and does not go away, please seek medical attention
• Tingling sensation in your fingers and toes
• Nausea, vomiting
• Dry mouth

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately? 

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

Signs and symptoms of serotonin syndrome such as:

• Feeling agitated and restless, other mental changes such as hallucination
• Heavy sweating, shivering
• Fast heart rate, irregular heartbeat
• Rigid or twitching muscles
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea

Signs and symptoms of a heart attack:

• Discomfort in the middle of your chest that lasts for a few minutes or goes away and comes back
• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
• Chest pain or chest discomfort that feels like an uncomfortable heavy pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Avoid taking different triptans or triptan combination products (e.g. eletriptan, sumatriptan etc.), or medications containing ergotamine (e.g. Caffox, Cafergot) or dihydroergotamine within 24 hours after taking zolmitriptan.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How do I throw away this medication safely? ​

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.