Naratriptan: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Functions & Usage

What is the drug Naratriptan used for?

Naratriptan is a drug used to treat migraines. Naratriptan helps to relieve headaches, pain and other symptoms of migraines, including sensitivity to light / sound, nausea, and vomiting. Prompt medication allows you to return to your normal routine and can lower your need for other pain medications. Naratriptan cannot prevent migraines or reduce how often you feel headaches.

Naratriptan belongs to a group of drugs called triptans. These compounds affect certain natural chemical compounds (serotonin) which constrict blood vessels in the brain. It can also block other pain pathways in the brain.

What are the rules for using the drug Naratriptan?

Take one tablet by mouth with or without food, at the first symptom of a migraine, or as directed by your doctor. Do not take Naratriptan to prevent migraines. If there is no improvement in your symptoms, do not take more than this medicine before consulting your doctor. If only some of the symptoms are relieved, or if your headache returns, you can take a second dose after 4 hours or as directed by your doctor. Don't take more than 5 milligrams within 24 hours.

If you have never taken this medicine before and you have risk factors for heart disease (see Prevention section), you may be advised to take your first dose in front of your doctor to monitor for rare but serious heart problems (for example, heart attack).

Your dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better or if it gets worse.

Overuse of this medicine to treat sudden migraine attacks may result in worsening of the headache (overuse of headache) or rebound headaches. Therefore do not use this medication more often or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you need to use this medicine more often, if the medicine doesn't work too, or if you have more frequent or worse headaches. Your doctor may need to change your medication and / or add another, separate medication to help prevent headaches.

How to store Naratriptan?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be considered before using the drug Naratriptan?

Before using Naratriptan:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic or have a severe reaction to Naratriptan or other medicines or if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in Naratriptan tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients in Naratriptan.
• Do not take Naratriptan if during the previous 24 hours you have used any of the following drugs: serotonin receptor agonists such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex, in Treximet), or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or ergot-type drugs such as bromocriptine (Parlodel), cabergoline, dihydroergotamine (DHE 45, Migranal), ergoloid mesylates (gine), ergonovine (Ergotrate), ergotamine (Cafergot, Ergomar), methylergonovine (Methergine), methysergide (Sansert), and Hyder pergolide (Permax).
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist about any medications (prescription or non-prescription), vitamins, nutritional supplements, and any herbal products you are currently using or will be using. Be sure to mention the following medicines if you do use them: acetaminophen (Tylenol); antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Adapin, Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), prot); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); oral contraceptives (in pill form); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, in Symbyax), fluvoxamine, paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft); and selective serotonin / norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), sibutramine (Meridia), and venlafaxine (Effexor). Also, don't forget to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines or have just stopped taking any of the following medicines within the previous two weeks, isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). Your doctor will change the dose of your medication or take more close supervision to avoid side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had heart disease, heart attack, angina (chest pain), irregular heartbeat, stroke or 'ministroke', circulation problems such as varicose veins, blood clots in the legs, Raynaud's disease, in the blood flow to the fingers, thumbs, ears and nose) or ischemic bowel disease (bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain caused by lack of blood flow to the intestines). Your doctor probably won't treat you with Naratriptan.
• Tell your doctor if you smoke or are overweight (obese), if you have or have had blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or kidney or liver disease, if you are in menopause, or if a family member has or have had heart disease or stroke.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are currently breastfeeding. If you plan to continue to have a sexually active lifestyle during treatment with this medicine then consult your doctor about the right way to exercise control against births. If you become pregnant while taking this medicine contact your doctor.
• You should know that Naratriptan can cause drowsiness. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how much effect this drug has on your consciousness.
• Consult your doctor to make sure that the headaches you feel are caused by migraines. Naratriptan should not be used to treat certain types of migraines (hemiplegic or basilar migraine) or certain headaches (cluster headaches).

Is the drug Naratriptan safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This medicine is included in the pregnancy risk category C. (A = No risk, B = No risk in some studies, C = Possible risk, D = There is positive evidence of risk, X = Contraindicated, N = unknown)

It is not known whether Naratriptan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a breastfed baby. Do not breastfeed while using this medicine.

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of Naratriptan?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Naratriptan if you experience serious side effects such as the following:

• Feeling of pain or tightness in the jaw, neck, or throat
• Heavy chest or chest pain, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general feeling of pain
• Sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden headaches, confusion, problems with vision, ability to speak, or balance problems
• Severe sudden stomach pain and bloody diarrhea
• Numbness or tingling and fingers and toes appear pale or blue in color
• (if you are also taking antidepressants) - agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting.

Less serious side effects may include:

• Pressure or a feeling of heaviness in any part of your body
• Dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling; or
• The skin feels warm, reddish, or tingling under your skin

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Interactions

What drugs can interfere with the drug Naratriptan?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

If you are also taking this medication 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.

Can certain foods and drinks interfere with the work of the drug Naratriptan?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interfere with the performance of the drug Naratriptan?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Angina (chest pain)
• Arrhythmia (problems with the rhythm of the heartbeat)
• Basilar migraine (migraine with problems with vision and hearing) has a history of experiencing such pain
• Heart attack, history of having a heart attack
• Heart or blood vessel problems
• Hemiplegic migraine (migraine with a number of paralysis) a history of having experienced such pain
• Hypertension (high blood pressure), uncontrolled
• Ischemic bowel disease (lack of blood flow to the intestines)
• Severe kidney disease
• Severe liver disease
• Peripheral vascular disease (blocked arteries)
• Stroke, history of having had a stroke or
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA), a history of having had a TIA
• Wolff - Parkinson's-White Syndrome (heart rhythm problem) - Should not be used in patients with this condition
• Coronary heart disease, a history of having the disease
• Diabetes
• Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol in the blood)
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Obesity
• Raynaud's Syndrome - Use with caution. May increase the risk for certain side effects.
• Heart rhythm problems (eg, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia) - Use with caution. It might make things worse.
• Mild or moderate kidney disease
• Mild or moderate liver disease - Use with caution. The impact may be increased due to the slow decay of Naratriptan from the body

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for a doctor's prescription. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage for Naratriptan for adults?

Usual Adult Dose for Migraines

Acute migraine with or without aura in adults: (Note: The drug should not be given to patients with hemiplegia or basilar migraine)

1-2.5 mg orally with liquid. If the headache returns or if the patient has only a partial response, the dose can be repeated once after 4 hours. The safety of treating more than four headaches within 30 days has not been determined.

What is the dosage of the drug Naratriptan for children?

The dosage for children has not been determined. Consult a doctor for more information.

In what dosages and preparations is Naratriptan available?

Tablet, Oral: 1 mg, 2.5 mg.

What to do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose symptoms may include:

• The head feels light
• Neck pain
• Tired
• Loss of coordination
• Chest pain

What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.