Zomigon

zolmitriptan

Zomig contains zolmitriptan, which is one of the more recent medications designed for acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in adults. Family of medications, to which zolmitriptan belongs, are often referred to as ‘triptans’.

Zolmitriptan is proved to be an effective and behaviorally specific anti-aggressive agent in situations that engender moderate and alcohol-heightened levels of aggression.

Zomig acts at several of sites that are thought to be involved in producing migraine symptoms, such as the blood vessels in the brain and the nerves involved in the signalling of the headache.

This medicine is specifically developed for the treatment of migraine pain. Pain relief should come in one hour with a single 2.5 mg tablet. If the headache returns, the dose may be repeated after at least two hours, but not to exceed 10 mg during any 24 hour period. In direct comparison of 2.5 and 5 mg, there was little added benefit from the larger dose but side effects are generally increased at 5 mg. Patients should, therefore, be started on 2.5 mg or lower. A dose lower than 2.5 mg can be achieved by manually breaking a 2.5 mg tablet in half. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Take the dose with plenty of water or other fluids.

Side effects:
Zomig is generally well tolerated. Across all doses, most adverse reactions are mild and transient and do not lead to long-lasting effects. Several of the adverse events appear dose related; notably paresthesia, sensation of heaviness or tightness in chest, neck, jaw, and throat, warm and cold sensations, dizziness, somnolence, and possibly asthenia and nausea. Prescribers should be aware of the possibility of long-term ophthalmologic effects.

Zolmitriptan should not be used within 24 hours of treatment with another 5HT1 agonist, or an ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medication. Concurrent administration of MAO A inhibitors or use of zolmitriptan within 2 weeks of discontinuation of MAO A inhibitor therapy is contraindicated. Zomig is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to zolmitriptan or any of its inactive ingredients. It also contains aspartame, and should be avoided by anyone sensitive to that ingredient.

Zomig should only be used where a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established.

Zolmitriptan should be administered with caution to patients with diseases that may alter the absorption, metabolism, or excretion of drugs, such as impaired hepatic function. Zolmitriptan should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when zolmitriptan is administered to a nursing woman.

Zolmitriptan should not be given to patients who have symptoms or findings consistent with ischemic heart disease, coronary artery vasospasm, including Prinzmetal's variant angina, or other significant underlying cardiovascular disease, it should not be given to patients with uncontrolled hypertension, hemiplegic or basilar migraine.

Effective dosage:
single 2.5 or 5 mg dose

Drug Class: Head ache.