What side effects are possible with this medication?
A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal
doses. A side effect may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does
not occur in everyone. Not everyone will experience side effects, and which
side effects a person experiences cannot be anticipated.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking
this medication. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side
effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or
pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of
the medication.
- dizziness
- drowsiness
- malaise/fatigue
- nausea
- numbness
- pain and pressure sensation
- reduced salivation
- sensitivity to light
- throat/neck symptoms
- tightness or heaviness sensations
- vomiting
- warm/cold temperature sensations
Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone at 1-800-332-1088.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Be sure to inform your doctor of all your medical conditions before you
begin taking a medication. Some conditions can affect how you should take this
medication.
Allergic reactions: People may experience an allergic reaction or a
hypersensitivity reaction to naratriptan. Reactions range from skin allergy
to serious allergic reaction. Rarely, severe allergic reactions to naratriptan
may occur. Because of the possibility of allergic reactions, people who are
allergic to any of the other medications in this class (5-hydroxytryptamine agonists)
should not use naratriptan.
Heart disease or high blood pressure: Naratriptan can cause the vessels
in the heart to spasm (tighten). People who have heart disease or who have conditions
that cause spasms of the blood vessels in their heart (vasospastic heart disease)
should not take this medication. Call your doctor if you experience sensations
of tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in the chest. Naratriptan can also
cause the blood pressure to rise. If you have high blood pressure already, naratriptan
might not be right drug for you.
Headache type: Naratriptan should only be used where there is a clear
diagnosis of migraine headache.
Liver or kidney function: People with reduced liver or kidney function
should be carefully monitored by their doctor while taking naratriptan. People
with severely reduced liver or kidney function should not use naratriptan.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Drowsiness may occur as a result of treatment
with naratriptan. Do not perform skilled tasks (e.g., driving or operating machinery)
until you determine that this medication does not impair your ability to perform these tasks safely.
Possible heart disease: It is strongly recommended that naratriptan
not be used by people who are at risk for, but have not been diagnosed with,
heart disease unless an examination shows that the person is free of this condition.
People at risk for heart disease include those with high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, diabetes, or a strong family history of heart disease; people who
smoke or are obese; women in early or natural menopause; and men over 40 years
old. If you belong to one of these groups of people, your doctor may also recommend
regular heart check-ups while you are taking this medication.
Pregnancy: The safety of using naratriptan during pregnancy has not
been established. Its use should be considered only if potential benefits to
the mother outweigh potential risks to the unborn child.
Breast-feeding: It is not known if naratriptan passes into breast milk.
If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect
your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you will need to stop taking the
medication or stop breast-feeding.
Children (less than 18 years old): The safety and effectiveness of naratriptan
in children have not been established and its use by this age group is not recommended.
Seniors: Use of naratriptan by people over the age of 65 years is not
recommended.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
An interaction between medications does not always mean that you must stop
taking one of them. The following medications may affect the way naratriptan
works, be affected by naratriptan, or increase the risk of side effects:
- ergot-containing drugs (e.g., dihydroergotamine, methysergide)
- serotonin agonists (e.g., eletriptan, sumatriptan)
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (e.g., fluoxetine, fluvoxamine,
paroxetine, sertraline)
If you are taking any of these or other medications (including non-prescription,
herbal, and supplement products), speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending
on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to change your therapy
or suggest ways of managing any interactions. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine
from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications,
you should let your doctor know if you use them.