Zolmitriptan 2.5mg Tablets

What is Zolmitriptan and what is it used for?

Zolmitriptan 2.5 mg Tablets provide effective relief from migraine attacks working quickly at the first sign of symptoms to reduce pain. The active ingredient is zolmitriptan, which is a type of medication known as a triptan. Triptans are specially designed to target migraines and are thought to help relieve migraine headaches by reducing inflammation of the blood vessels in the brain.

Each box of Zolmitriptan Tablets contains 6 tablets that can be bought with a prescription and are suitable for adults between the ages of 18 and 65 years.

What is a migraine?

In The UK, migraine headaches affect approximately 25% of women and 8% of men. The condition is believed to be partially hereditary, meaning a person may be more prone if a blood relative also suffers from the condition.

Several factors can trigger a migraine attack, including;

• A poor diet
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Too much caffeine
• Stress
• Not getting enough sleep
• For some women, their monthly period can trigger a migraine attack

A migraine sufferer will likely find that the most severe attacks can completely disrupt their day, causing nausea, light sensitivity, and intense throbbing pain. Many sufferers also experience a heightened intolerance to loud noises and strong smells. Taking Zolmitriptan will help provide relief from these symptoms as well.

Approximately one in every four migraine sufferers will experience some form of pre-migraine warning, which is known as an aura. This can involve visual cues, such as blurred or distorted vision. Alternatively, a sufferer may experience a silent migraine, where the aura occurs but a migraine attack does not follow.

On average, a migraine will last for a few hours, but for some, it can continue for as long as three days. After a migraine has passed, the sufferer may continue to feel fatigued for several subsequent days.

How does Zolmitriptan work?

It isn't fully understood what triggers a migraine, but the associated throbbing pain is thought to be caused by a widening of the blood vessels in the brain. Zolmitriptan belongs to a group of medicines called serotonin agonists. These medicines stimulate the brain's serotonin receptors, which cause the affected blood vessels to narrow, relieving the associated pain.

Zolmitriptan, like other triptans, works best when taken at the onset of an attack. It will also provide a good level of relief if taken during an episode. Triptan medicines are not able to prevent migraines, but they are safe to take in conjunction with other preventative treatments.

Alternate OTC (over-the-counter) Medication for Migraines

There are some over-the-counter medications that can be used initially to try and combat migraine pain and nausea. Some of the products include;

• Paracetamol
• Ibuprofen
• Aspirin
• Migraleve

For more information about what medication can be purchased online to treat migraines please head over to our Advice for Migraines page.

Sources

• Zolmitriptan Tablets, Patient Information Leaflet: https://www.medicines.org.uk/e...
• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/...
• https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drug/z...

Zolmitriptan dosage

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. You should take Zolmitriptan Film-coated Tablets as soon as a migraine headache starts but you can also take it when an attack is already underway.

For adults between 18 and 65 years:

• The recommended dose is one tablet to be swallowed with a drink of water
• You can take a second tablet if the migraine is still present after two hours or if it returns within 24 hours
• Do not use more than two doses in one day unless prescribed to you by your doctor
• The maximum daily dose is 10 mg

Zolmitriptan ingredients

The active ingredient in each Zolmitriptan tablet is: Zolmitriptan 2.5 mg.

The inactive ingredients in each tablet are: Lactose anhydrous, Cellulose microcrystalline, Sodium Starch Glycolate type A, Magnesium Stearate, Hypromellose, Titanium dioxide (E 171), Macrogol 400, Macrogol 8000, Iron Oxide Yellow (E172).

Zolmitriptan side effects

Some people may experience side effects when taking Zolmitriptan. These are usually mild and go away on their own after a short time. The most common side effects include:

• Abnormal sensations such as tingling in your fingers and toes or skin that is sensitive to touch
• Feeling sleepy, dizzy or warm
• Headache
• Uneven heartbeat
• Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
• Stomach pain
• Dry mouth
• Muscle weakness or muscle pain
• Heaviness, tightness, pain or pressure in the throat, neck, arms and legs, or chest
• Problems swallowing

If you are concerned about these effects, or if the product affects you in any other way, stop using it and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Zolmitriptan warnings

Reading the following warnings carefully will help to ensure you are selecting an appropriate product

Do not take Zolmitriptan Film-coated Tablets if any of the following apply to you:

• If you are allergic to zolmitriptan or any of the other ingredients of this medicine
• If you have high blood pressure.
• If you have, or previously had heart problems, including a heart attack, angina, shortness of breath or pressure in the chest.
• If you have or previously had a stroke or short-lasting symptoms similar to a stroke.
• If you are at the same time taking some other medicines for your migraine (e.g. ergotamine or ergot-type medicines like dihydroergotamine and methysergide) or other triptan medicines for migraine.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Zolmitriptan fFilm-coated Tablets. Let your doctor know if:

• You smoke, have high levels of cholesterol, diabetes or if anyone in your family has ischaemic heart disease.
• You have been told that you have Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome.
• You have or previously had liver problems.
• You are taking other medicines for the treatment of depression.
• You are at the same time taking herbal medicines which contain St John`s Wort.

Zolmitriptan - pregnancy & breastfeeding

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist for advice if you are experiencing migraines and are pregnant or breastfeeding. The effects of Zolmitriptan during this time is not widely understood.

Please read all packaging and the Patient Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform your doctor of medicines you are taking or intend to take.