naratriptan at a glance
Medicine class
Selective 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist (triptan)
Licensed use
Acute migraine with or without aura
Administration
Film-coated tablet swallowed whole with water
Prevention
Not licensed to prevent migraine attacks
What is naratriptan used for?
UK-licensed use represented by the selected product:
Acute treatment of migraine attacks with aura.
Acute treatment of migraine attacks without aura.
How does naratriptan work?
Naratriptan activates serotonin 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors. This constricts dilated cranial blood vessels and is also thought to reduce trigeminal nerve activity involved in migraine pain and associated symptoms.
naratriptan preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 2.5 mg
How to take naratriptan
Swallow the film-coated tablet whole with water. Food does not have a known clinically relevant effect on naratriptan exposure. Use it for the headache phase of a diagnosed migraine rather than as preventive treatment.
Migraine or naratriptan may cause drowsiness; do not drive or use machinery if affected.
Frequent use of acute headache treatments can worsen headaches; seek review if headaches become frequent or daily.
naratriptan side effects
Common or expected effects
- Nausea or vomiting, which can also be caused by migraine
- Tingling sensations
- Dizziness or drowsiness
- Feeling hot, tired or generally unwell
Get urgent medical advice
- Persistent, severe or increasing chest or throat pain, pressure or tightness
- Wheezing, collapse, hives, or swelling of the face, lips or eyelids
- Fast, slow or irregular heartbeat
- Lower-left abdominal pain with bloody diarrhoea
- Symptoms suggesting reduced circulation, such as severe limb pain or coldness
naratriptan in pregnancy
Information specifically about naratriptan in pregnancy is limited, although available triptan data have not raised concerns about birth defects. It may be considered when a doctor judges it necessary; discuss treatment when planning pregnancy or after an unplanned pregnancy.
naratriptan while breastfeeding
Human milk-transfer information is limited. The product information advises temporarily interrupting breastfeeding after treatment and discarding milk expressed during that period; ask the prescriber or pharmacist to plan this safely.
naratriptan interactions
Check all prescribed, pharmacy and herbal products before using naratriptan.
Ergotamine, dihydroergotamine or methysergide
Do not combine because additive blood-vessel constriction may increase the risk of coronary vasospasm.
Other triptans or 5-HT1 receptor agonists
Concomitant use is contraindicated because of the potential for additive vasoconstriction.
SSRIs or SNRIs
Rare serotonin syndrome has been reported; monitor for agitation, confusion, sweating, fever, diarrhoea, tremor or muscle twitching.
Common questions about naratriptan
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is naratriptan used for?
It is licensed to treat an acute migraine attack with or without aura after the headache has begun.
Does naratriptan prevent migraines?
No. It treats individual attacks and is not licensed as preventive treatment.
Can naratriptan be taken during migraine aura?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.