Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a migraine?
- Why do I have migraines?
- What is migraine with aura?
- What is a tension-type headache?
- What is a cluster headache?
- What is a migraine "trigger"?
- What is AXERT ® ?
- How does AXERT ® work?
- Who should not use AXERT ® ?
- What are the possible side effects of AXERT ® ?
- How is AXERT ® taken?
1. What is a migraine?
A migraine is an intense, throbbing, typically one-sided headache. It often includes nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and sensitivity to sound. The pain and symptoms from a migraine headache may be worse than the pain and symptoms of a common headache.
2. Why do I have migraines?
Migraine tends to run in families but it is not yet completely known why migraines happen.
3. What is a migraine with aura?
Most sufferers experience migraine with aura as some type of visual disturbance (ranging from blurred vision to wavy lines or patterns). Others may experience sensory disturbances like tingling or numbness.
4. What is a tension-type headache?
A tension headache is characterized by a mild to moderate intensity of pain felt as pressure or as a tightening sensation on both sides of the head. AXERT ® is not indicated for this type of headache.
5. What is a cluster headache?
A cluster headache is characterized by severe, one-sided head pain usually described as a painful stabbing sensation around one eye. Cluster headache occurs in cycles within a several week to several month period. AXERT ® is not indicated for cluster headache.
6. What is migraine "trigger?"
A trigger can take on many forms—including certain foods, environmental conditions or hormonal factors, and may cause a migraine attack.
7. What is AXERT ® ?
AXERT ® is a medication used to treat migraine attacks in adults and adolescents age 12 to 17 years. AXERT ® is a member of a class of drugs called selective serotonin receptor agonists.
8. How does AXERT ® work?
Treatment with AXERT ®
- reduces swelling of blood vessels surrounding the brain. This swelling is associated with the headache pain of a migraine attack.
- blocks the release of substances from nerve endings that cause more pain and other symptoms of migraine.
-
interrupts the sending of specific pain signals to your brain.
It is thought that each of these actions contributes to relief of your symptoms by AXERT®.
9. Who should not use AXERT ® ?
Do not take AXERT if you
- have ever had heart disease.
- have uncontrolled high blood pressure.
- have hemiplegic or basilar migraine. If you are not sure, ask your doctor.
- have taken another serotonin receptor agonist (e.g. another triptan) in the last 24 hours. These include naratriptan (AMERGE®), rizatriptan (MAXALT®), sumatriptan (IMITREX®, TREXIMET®), or zolmitriptan (ZOMIG®).
- have taken ergotamine-type medicines in the last 24 hours. These include ergotamine (BELLERGAL-S®, CAFERGOT®, ERGOMAR®, WIGRAINE®), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45®), or methysergide (SANSERT®).
- had an allergic reaction to AXERT ® or any of its ingredients. The active ingredient is almotriptan malate. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about inactive ingredients.
10. What are the possible side effects of AXERT ® ?
The side effects are usually mild and do not last long. The following is not a complete list of side effects. Ask your doctor to tell you about the other side effects. Click here for more detailed safety information.
The most common side effects in adults are
- Nausea
- Sleepiness
- Tingling or burning feeling (paresthesia)
- Headache
- Dry mouth
The most common side effects in adolescents are
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Tingling or burning feeling (paresthesia)
- Vomiting
11. How is AXERT ® taken?
- When you have a migraine headache, take your medicine as directed by your doctor.
- If your headache comes back after your first dose, you may take a second dose 2 hours or more after the first dose. If your pain continues after the first dose, do not take a second dose without first checking with your doctor.
- Do not take more than two AXERT ® Tablets in a 24-hour period.
- If you take too much medicine, contact your doctor, hospital emergency department, or poison control center right away.
*AXERT® tablets are indicated for the acute treatment of migraine
with or without aura in adults. AXERT® tablets are indicated for
the acute treatment of migraine headache pain in adolescents age 12 to
17 years with a history of migraine attacks with or without aura
usually lasting 4 hours or more (when untreated). In adolescents age
12-17 years, efficacy of AXERT® on migraine associated symptoms
(nausea, photophobia and phonophobia) was not established.
AXERT® is not intended for the prophylactic therapy of migraine or
for use in the management of hemiplegic or basilar migraine. Safety
and effectiveness of AXERT® have not been established for cluster
headache which is present in an older, predominantly male population.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
AXERT® is a prescription medication for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults, and for the acute treatment of migraine headache pain in adolescents age 12 to 17 years with a history of migraine attacks with or without aura usually lasting 4 hours or more (when untreated). If you have no response for the first migraine attack treated with AXERT®, then your doctor will need to see if you really have migraine before you take AXERT® to treat any future attacks. You should not take AXERT® if you have heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure or have ever had heart disease. If you have risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking, family history of heart attack, menopause, or are a male over 40 years of age), or if you are pregnant, nursing, or thinking about becoming pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking AXERT®. You should also tell your doctor if you have had a stroke of any type or any transient ischemic attacks, or if you have circulation (blood flow) problems, as you should not use AXERT®. Contact your doctor immediately if you are experiencing symptoms of pain, tightness, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw, shortness of breath, weakness, or slurring of speech, if you experience abdominal pain or bloody diarrhea, or if your fingers or toes become cold or discolored. In very rare cases, serious heart problems have occurred in patients without known heart disease.
AXERT®, like other triptans, may be associated with a potentially life-threatening condition mainly when taken together with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), two classes of drugs for depression or other disorders. Common SSRIs are Celexa® (citalopram HBr), Lexapro® (escitalopram oxalate), Paxil® (paroxetine), Prozac®/Sarafem® (fluoxetine), Symbyax® (olanzapine/fluoxetine), Zoloft® (sertraline), and Luvox® (fluvoxamine). Common SNRIs are Cymbalta® (duloxetine) and Effexor® (venlafaxine). If you experience symptoms such as confusion, sweating, flushing, rapid heartbeat, diarrhea, muscle weakness, poor balance, or worsening headache, contact your doctor immediately.
Tell your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter medications you are taking. Do not take AXERT® if you have taken an ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medication or another triptan in the last 24 hours. Do not take if you have had an allergic reaction to AXERT® or any of its ingredients. Tell your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to a sulfonamide drug or if you are taking ketoconazole.
The most common AXERT® side effects in adults are nausea, sleepiness, tingling sensation, headache, and dry mouth.
The most common AXERT® side effects in adolescents are dizziness, sleepiness, headache, tingling sensation, nausea and vomiting.
Ask your doctor about side effects, possible drug interactions, and any other important questions you may have before taking AXERT®.
Celexa and Lexapro are registered trademarks of Forest Laboratories. Paxil is a registered trademark of GlaxoSmithKline. Symbyax, Prozac/Sarafem and Cymbalta are registered trademarks of Eli Lilly. Zoloft is a registered trademark of Pfizer. Luvox is a registered trademark of Solvay. Effexor is a registered trademark of Wyeth.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
For full U.S. Prescribing Information, click here.©Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2010. All rights reserved. Licensed from Almirall, S.A. Your use of the information on this site is subject to the terms of our Legal Notice. Please see our Privacy Policy.
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This page was last updated on Sep 03 2010 at 11:04:05 EDT.