DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Almotriptan (al-moe-TRIP-tan)
Brand Name: Axert

Axert is used for:

Treating acute migraine headaches. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Axert is a triptan. It works by narrowing the blood vessels in the brain and thereby reducing pressure and pain in the brain. A migraine headache is thought to be caused by widened blood vessels exerting pressure on the brain.

Do NOT use Axert if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Axert
• you have uncontrolled high blood pressure or ischemic heart disease
• you have taken an imidazole (eg, ketoconazole) within the last 7 days or an ergot alkaloid (eg, ergotamine) within the last 24 hours
• you have hemiplegic or basilar migraine headaches

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Axert :

Some medical conditions may interact with Axert . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Axert . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine) or imidazoles (eg, ketoconazole) because they may increase the risk of this medicine's side effects

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Axert may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Axert :

Use Axert as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Axert by mouth with or without food.
• Take Axert with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL).
• Swallow Axert whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
• It is best to take a dose of Axert as soon as you notice symptoms of a migraine attack.
• If you headache returns, a second dose may be taken. Allow at least 2 hours between doses of Axert .
• If your pain continues after the first dose, do not take a second dose without talking with your health care provider. Do not take more than 2 tablets in a 24-hour period.
• If you miss a dose of Axert and you still have a headache, follow your doctor's dosing instructions. Contact your doctor if you are unsure what to do if you miss a dose. Do not take Axert more often than prescribed. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Axert .

Important safety information:

• Axert may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Axert with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• If Axert does not stop or decrease the severity of your migraine attack or if your symptoms become worse, check with your doctor.
• Axert is intended to relieve acute migraine headaches. Do not use it to prevent or reduce the number of attacks you experience. Use Axert only to treat an actual migraine attack. If you have a headache that is different than your usual migraine attacks, check with your doctor before using Axert .
• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
• Diabetes patients - Axert may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Additional monitoring of your dose or condition may be needed if you are taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants (eg, fluoxetine).
• Use Axert with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Axert should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Axert while you are pregnant. It is not known if Axert is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Axert , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Axert :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; nausea; sleepiness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); changes in vision; chest pain; fainting; heart throbbing; fast or irregular heartbeat; numbness and tingling of hands or feet; pounding in the chest; tightness in the jaw, neck, or chest; wheezing.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include bluish skin; clumsiness; enlarged pupils; inactivity; incoordination; redness in the arms and legs; seizure; slowed breathing; slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat; unusual dizziness or drowsiness.

Proper storage of Axert :

Store Axert at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Axert out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Axert , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Axert is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Axert . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.