What is this medication for?
Naratriptan is used for the relief of migraine attacks with or without aura
(warning signs that occur prior to the onset of a migraine). It is not to be
used for the prevention of migraine. Migraine headaches are thought to be caused
by a widening of the blood vessels in the head. Naratriptan belongs to a class
of drugs known as 5-hydroxytryptamine agonists, which relieves migraine
headaches by narrowing these vessels.
In most people, naratriptan eliminates or reduces the symptoms of migraine
including headache, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those
listed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all
of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor
or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do
not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms
as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their
doctor has not prescribed it. Do not stop taking this medication without
consulting your doctor.
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
How should I use this medication?
Adults: After a headache starts, you take one tablet of naratriptan
(1 mg or 2.5 mg). Your doctor can help determine if you should take
the 1 mg tablet or the 2.5 mg tablet. Naratriptan should be taken
as early as possible after the onset of a migraine headache, but is also effective
if taken at a later stage.
If the headache improves after the first dose but then returns, a second tablet
may be taken but no sooner than 4 hours after the first tablet was taken. The
maximum daily dose of naratriptan is 5 mg in 24 hours.
If the headache does not respond to the first dose, consult with your doctor
before you take the second dose. In this situation, a second dose is not likely
to work.
It is very important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as
body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor
has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change
the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture,
and keep it out of the reach of children.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Naratriptan should not be used by anyone who:
- has a history of stroke or transient ischemic attacks
- has angina (chest pain), including Prinzmetal angina (coronary vasospasm)
- has blood vessel disease (peripheral vascular disease) including bowel disease
- has certain types of migraine headaches (including hemiplegic, or basilar
migraine)
- has heart disease or a history of heart disease (e.g., a history of heart
attack or silent ischemia [damage to the heart without symptoms])
- has high blood pressure that is severe or not under control
- has severely reduced liver or kidney function
- has taken another 5-hydroxytryptamine agonist (e.g., naratriptan, rizatriptan,
sumatriptan, zolmitriptan) in the previous 24 hours
- has taken ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medications (such as dihydroergotamine,
ergotamine, or methysergide) in the previous 24 hours
- is allergic to naratriptan or any of the components of the formulation