Almotriptan (Systemic)

Brand Names : Axert

Proper Use of This Medicine

Do not use almotriptan for a headache that is different from your usual migraines . Instead, check with your doctor.

To relieve your migraine as soon as possible, use almotriptan as soon as the headache pain begins. Even if you get warning signals of a coming migraine (an aura), you should wait until the headache pain starts before using almotriptan. Using almotriptan during the aura probably will not prevent the headache from occurring. However, even if you do not use almotriptan until your migraine has been present for several hours, the medicine will still work.

Lying down in a quiet, dark room for a while after you use this medicine may help relieve your migraine.

If you feel much better after a dose of almotriptan, but your headache comes back or gets worse after 2 or more hours, you may use one additional dose of almotriptan .

Your doctor may direct you to take another medicine to help prevent headaches. It is important that you follow your doctor's directions, even if your headaches continue to occur . Headache-preventing medicines may take several weeks to start working. Even after they do start working, your headaches may not go away completely. However, your headaches should occur less often, and they should be less severe and easier to relieve. This can reduce the amount of almotriptan or pain relievers that you need. If you do not notice any improvement after several weeks of headache-preventing treatment, check with your doctor.

Dosing - The dose of almotriptan will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of almotriptan. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For migraine headaches:
    • Adults - 6.25 or 12.5 milligrams (mg) as a single dose. If the migraine comes back after being relieved, another dose be taken two hours or more after the first dose. Do not take more than 2 doses in any twenty-four-hour period .
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children since overdose is especially dangerous in children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.