almotriptan at a glance
Medicine class
Selective serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist (triptan)
Licensed use
Acute treatment of the headache phase of migraine with or without aura
Prevention
Not intended to prevent migraine attacks
Food
The tablet can be taken with or without food
Driving
Migraine and almotriptan can cause sleepiness; avoid driving or machinery if affected
What is almotriptan used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for acute migraine treatment.
Treatment of the headache phase of migraine attacks in adults, whether or not the migraine includes aura.
It is not licensed for migraine prevention.
How does almotriptan work?
Almotriptan activates serotonin 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors. This narrows certain cranial blood vessels and reduces signalling and inflammatory activity in the trigeminovascular system involved in migraine.
How to take almotriptan
Use almotriptan only for a clearly diagnosed migraine attack and follow the prescription label. It is intended for the headache phase rather than prevention.
Swallow the film-coated tablet with liquid.
It may be taken with or without food.
Do not take it alongside another triptan or an ergot-type migraine treatment.
almotriptan side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Tiredness
Get urgent medical advice
- Chest pain or marked chest or throat tightness
- Swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat, breathing difficulty or anaphylaxis
- Features of serotonin syndrome, such as confusion or agitation with fever, sweating, diarrhoea or muscle twitching
- Severe abdominal pain with bloody diarrhoea, which may indicate intestinal ischaemia
- Seizure
almotriptan in pregnancy
Pregnancy information specific to almotriptan is very limited. Available triptan evidence has not raised a clear concern about harm, but sumatriptan has substantially more pregnancy experience. Almotriptan should be considered only after discussion with the prescriber about benefits and alternatives.
almotriptan while breastfeeding
The UK product information advises caution and temporary avoidance of breastfeeding after treatment. A small lactation study found low transfer into milk, but the almotriptan estimate came from only one participant. Discuss timing and alternatives with a prescriber or pharmacist.
almotriptan interactions
Check all prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products before using almotriptan.
Other triptans
Concurrent use is contraindicated because combined vasoconstrictor effects may increase cardiovascular risk.
Ergotamine and ergot derivatives, including methysergide
Concurrent use is contraindicated because additive vasospasm is possible.
SSRIs and SNRIs
The combination can rarely cause serotonin syndrome; patients should be observed for characteristic mental, autonomic and neuromuscular symptoms.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Common questions about almotriptan
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can almotriptan prevent migraine attacks?
No. Almotriptan treats the headache phase of an attack that has already started; it is not a preventive treatment.
Can almotriptan be taken during migraine aura?
Its UK licence covers the headache phase of migraine with or without aura. It is not intended solely to treat aura before the headache begins.
Can almotriptan be taken with food?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.