Canadian pharmacy buying guide: drug characteristics, uses and benefits, side effects and interactions, and links for further information about buying discount drugs online from Canada.

Zomig Consumer Information

ZOMIG

Generic Name: zolmitriptan (zole mih TRIP tan)

Brand Names: Zomig, Zomig-ZMT

What is the most important information I should know about zolmitriptan?

• Do not take zolmitriptan if the headache you are experiencing is not like other migraines that you have had.
• Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you have heart disease including angina (chest pain), history of a heart attack, or high blood pressure. Serious, even fatal, side effects involving the heart have been reported with zolmitriptan and other similar medicines.
• Never take more of this medication than is prescribed by your doctor. If your symptoms are not being treated, contact your doctor.

What is zolmitriptan?

• Zolmitriptan is a headache medicine. It is believed to work by causing vasoconstriction (narrowing) of arteries and veins that supply blood to the head.
• Zolmitriptan is used to treat vascular headaches such as migraines. Zolmitriptan will not prevent migraines. It will only treat a migraine that is already occurring.
• Zolmitriptan may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking zolmitriptan?

• Do not take zolmitriptan without first talking to your doctor if you
• have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14 days;
• have taken an ergot-based medication within the last 24 hours--ergot-based medicines include methysergide (Sansert), ergotamine (Ergostat, Medihaler Ergotamine), dihydroergotamine mesylate (D.H.E., Migranal Nasal Spray), and ergotamine combination products (Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine, Cafatine, Cafatine-PB, Cafetrate);
• have taken almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), or sumatriptan (Imitrex) within the last 24 hours;
• have basilar or hemiplegic migraine headaches;
• have had a heart attack, have angina (chest pain), have irregular heartbeats, or have another type of heart disease; or
• are experiencing a headache that is not like other migraines you have had.
• Taking zolmitriptan may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions, or have taken any of the medications, listed above.
• Before taking zolmitriptan, tell your doctor if you
• have risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease, high cholesterol (a type of fat), are overweight, diabetes, smoke cigarettes, are postmenopausal, are a male over 40 years of age;
• have liver disease;
• have kidney disease; or
• have seizures or epilepsy.
• You may not be able to take zolmitriptan, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Each 2.5 mg Zomig-ZMT orally disintegrating tablet contains 2.81 mg phenylalanine. Individuals with phenylketonuria may need to monitor their intake of this additive.
• Zolmitriptan is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether zolmitriptan will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
• It is not known whether zolmitriptan passes into human breast milk. Do not take zolmitriptan without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take zolmitriptan?

• Take zolmitriptan exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take one or one-half regular Zomig tablet with a glass of water as soon as you notice symptoms of a migraine, or at any time during an attack.
• Administration with liquid is not necessary for the Zomig-ZMT orally disintegrating tablets. Just prior to taking a dose, peel open the blister pack and place the tablet on the tongue, where it will dissolve and be swallowed with the saliva. The Zomig-ZMT tablets should not be broken.
• If your symptoms do not improve, call your doctor before taking any more doses of zolmitriptan.
• If your symptoms go away and then return, you can take a another dose of zolmitriptan every 2 hours, if needed, up to a maximum of 10 mg in 24 hours unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Never take more than this amount.
• Store zolmitriptan at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Since zolmitriptan is taken to treat migraines as they occur and not to prevent them, missing a dose does not usually occur. Take only the doses you need, according to your doctor's instructions.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of a zolmitriptan overdose are not well known but may include sedation.

What should I avoid while taking zolmitriptan?

• Do not take zolmitriptan if the headache you are experiencing is not like other migraines that you have had.
• Never take more of this medication than is prescribed by your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of zolmitriptan?

• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking zolmitriptan and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or
• severe or prolonged chest pain or an irregular heartbeat.
• Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take zolmitriptan and talk to your doctor if you experience
• dry mouth;
• nausea;
• muscle tiredness or weakness;
• drowsiness or dizziness; or
• tingling, tightness, warmth, or heaviness in a body part.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect zolmitriptan?

• Do not take zolmitriptan if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) within the last 14 days. The combination could cause seizures, nausea, vomiting, sweating, flushing, and dizziness.
• Do not take zolmitriptan if you have taken any of the following medicines within the previous 24 hours:
• an ergot-based medication such as methysergide (Sansert), ergotamine (Ergostat, Medihaler Ergotamine), dihydroergotamine mesylate (D.H.E., Migranal Nasal Spray), an ergotamine combination product (Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine, Cafatine, Cafatine-PB, Cafetrate), and others; or
• almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), or sumatriptan (Imitrex).
• Taking zolmitriptan within 24 hours of any of the medicines listed above may be dangerous.
• Before taking zolmitriptan, tell your doctor if you are taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft). You may not be able to take zolmitriptan, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with zolmitriptan. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about zolmitriptan written for health professionals that you may read.
• 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.

Limitations of This Canadian Pharmacy Information

Efforts have been made to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. This is an educational resource only intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. This site does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

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Version: 2.02. Revision Date: 2/14/03.