Almotriptan

Generic name: almotriptan [ AL-moe-TRIP-tan ]
Brand name: Axert
Dosage form: oral tablet (12.5 mg; 6.25 mg)
Drug class: Antimigraine agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jul 11, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is almotriptan?

Almotriptan is a headache medicine that narrows blood vessels around the brain. Almotriptan also reduces substances in the body that can trigger headache pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other migraine symptoms.

Almotriptan is used to treat migraine headaches in adults and in adolescents who are at least 12 years old. Almotriptan will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

Almotriptan 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 almotriptan only if your condition has been confirmed by a doctor as migraine headaches.

Almotriptan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

You should not use this medicine if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart problems, a history of heart attack or stroke, or circulation problems that cause a lack of blood supply within the body.

Do not take almotriptan within 24 hours before or after using another migraine headache medicine.

Stop using almotriptan and get emergency medical help if you have: chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating, and a light-headed feeling.

Before taking this medicine

You should not take almotriptan if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;

• past or present heart problems;

• history of coronary artery disease, angina, (chest pain), heart attack, or stroke, including "mini-stroke";

• a blood vessel disorder or circulation problems that cause a lack of blood supply within the body; or

• a headache that seems different from your usual migraine headaches.

To make sure almotriptan is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a sulfa drug allergy;

• liver or kidney disease;

• kidney disease;

• high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder; or

• risk factors for coronary artery disease (such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, having a family history of heart disease, or being older than 40 and a man).

It is not known whether almotriptan will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether almotriptan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give this medicine to anyone under 12 years old.

How should I take almotriptan?

Your doctor may want to give your first dose of this medicine in a hospital or clinic setting to quickly treat any serious side effects that occur.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Take almotriptan as soon as you notice migraine symptoms.

After taking a tablet: If your headache goes away and comes back, take a second tablet 2 hours after the first. Do not take more than 2 tablets of almotriptan tablets in 24 hours. If your symptoms have not improved, contact your doctor before taking any more tablets.

Call your doctor if your headache does not go away at all after taking the first almotriptan tablet.

Never use more than your recommended dose. Overuse of migraine headache medicine can make headaches worse.

Contact your doctor if you have more than four headaches in one month (30 days). Tell your doctor if this medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your migraine attacks.

If you use almotriptan long-term, your heart function may need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG). This will help your doctor determine if it is still safe for you to take almotriptan.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since almotriptan is used as needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after using almotriptan.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while using almotriptan?

Do not take almotriptan within 24 hours before or 24 hours after using another migraine headache medicine, including:

• medicines like almotriptan--eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, and others; or

• ergot medicine--dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, methylergonovine.

Almotriptan may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Almotriptan side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using almotriptan and get emergency medical help if you have heart attack symptoms: chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating, and feeling light-headed.

Almotriptan may cause serious side effects. Stop using almotriptan and call your doctor at once if you have:

• numbness or tingling and a pale or blue-colored appearance in your fingers or toes;

• blood circulation problems--weakness or heavy feeling in your legs, burning pain in your feet, leg cramps, hip pain, numbness or tingling in your legs;

• high levels of serotonin in the body--agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting; or

• stomach or intestinal problems--severe stomach pain (especially after eating), fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, bloody or tarry stools.

Common side effects of almotriptan may include:

• dry mouth;

• nausea, vomiting;

• numbness, tingling, or burning sensation;

• dizziness, drowsiness; or

• mild headache (not a migraine).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Almotriptan dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Migraine:

Initial dose: 6.25 mg or 12.5 mg orally as a single dose
Repeat dose: If headache is relieved, but returns, may repeat with 1 dose orally provided there is a minimum interval of 2 hours between doses.
Maximum daily dose: 25 mg

Comments:
-The safety of treating an average of more than 4 migraines per month has not been established.
-The 12.5 mg dose tends to be more effective in adults, however as individuals may vary in their response, the dose should be individualized.
-The effectiveness of a second dose has not been established in clinical trials.

Use: For the acute treatment of migraine attacks in patients with a history of migraine with or without aura.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Migraine:

Adolescents (12 to 17 years):
Initial dose: 6.25 mg or 12.5 mg orally as a single dose
Repeat dose: If headache is relieved, but returns, may repeat 1 dose orally provided there is a minimum interval of 2 hours between doses.
Maximum daily dose: 25 mg

Comments:
-The safety of treating an average of more than 4 migraines per month has not been established.
-Individuals may vary in their response, the dose should be individualized.
-The efficacy in adolescents on migraine-associated symptoms (nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia) and the effectiveness of a second dose have not been established in clinical trials.

Use: For the acute treatment of migraine headache pain in patients with a history of migraine attacks with or without aura usually lasting 4 hours or more when untreated.

What other drugs will affect almotriptan?

Taking almotriptan while you are using certain other medicines can cause high levels of serotonin to build up in your body, a condition called "serotonin syndrome," which can be fatal. Tell your doctor if you also use:

• medicine to treat depression;

• medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder;

• a narcotic (opioid) medication; or

• medicine to prevent nausea and vomiting.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you have used within the past 14 days, and all medicines you start or stop using during your treatment with almotriptan, especially:

• ritonavir;

• antifungal medicine--itraconazole, ketoconazole; or

• an MAO inhibitor--isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with almotriptan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 12.02.

Alocril

Generic name: nedocromil ophthalmic [ ne-DOK-roe-mil-off-THAL-mik ]
Drug class: Ophthalmic antihistamines and decongestants

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Aug 24, 2022. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is Alocril?

Nedocromil is an anti-allergic medicine that can reduces certain symptoms after you are exposed to an allergen.

Alocril (for the eyes) is used to treat itching of the eyes caused by allergies.

Alocril may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Alocril if you are allergic to nedocromil.

This medicine is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether nedocromil ophthalmic passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Alocril is not approved for use by anyone younger than 3 years old.

How should I use Alocril?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Do not use this medicine while wearing contact lenses. Alocril may contain a preservative that can discolor soft contact lenses. Wait at least 15 minutes after using this medicine before putting in your contact lenses.

Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Wash your hands before using the eye drops.

To apply the eye drops:

• Tilt your head back slightly and pull down your lower eyelid to create a small pocket. Hold the dropper above the eye with the tip down. Look up and away from the dropper and squeeze out a drop.

• Blink several times to make sure the solution spreads over your eye. Then close your eyes and wipe away any excess solution with a clean tissue.

• Use only the number of drops your doctor has prescribed. If you use more than one drop, wait about 5 minutes between drops.

• Wait at least 10 minutes before using any other eye drops your doctor has prescribed.

Do not touch the tip of the eye dropper or place it directly on your eye. A contaminated dropper can infect your eye, which could lead to serious vision problems.

Do not use the eye drops if the liquid has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Use this medicine for the full length of time you are exposed to allergens, even if you have no symptoms.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

An overdose of Alocril is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medication.

What should I avoid while using nedocromil ophthalmic?

Do not use other eye medications unless your doctor tells you to.

Alocril side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Alocril may cause serious side effects. Stop using Alocril and call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe burning, stinging, or irritation after using Alocril.

Common side effects of Alocril may include:

• headache;

• runny or stuffy nose;

• eye redness;

• your eyes may be more sensitive to light;

• mild eye irritation after using the eye drops.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Alocril?

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on nedocromil used in the eyes. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.01.