| Pharmacy Drug Brand Name: | Axert® |
| Active Ingredient(s): | almotriptan malate |
| Strength(s) / Dose(s): | 6.25mg and 12.5 mg |
| Delivery / Dosage Form(s): | Tablets |
| Company Manufacturer Name: | Pharmacia & Upjohn Company |
| Availability / Prescription: | Prescription only |
| Date Approved by FDA *: | May 17, 2001 |
* Approval by the FDA does not necessarily mean that this drug is available for consumers at this time.
What is Axert used for?
Axert is used to treat migraine attacks in adults. Axert is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin receptor agonists. Axert is not used for preventing migraines.
Take Axert only for a migraine attack. Do not use Axert to treat headaches that might be caused by other conditions. Tell your doctor about your symptoms. Your doctor will decide if you have migraine.
Who should not take Axert?
Do not take Axert if you:
- have ever had heart disease or damage.
- have uncontrolled high blood pressure.
- have hemiplegic or basilar migraine. If you are not sure, ask your doctor.
- have taken another serotonin receptor agonist medication in the last 24 hours. These include naratriptan (AMERGE™), rizatriptan (MAXALT®), sumatriptan (IMITREX®), or zolmitriptan (ZOMIG™).
- have taken ergotamine-type medicines in the last 24 hours. These include ergotamine (BELLERGAL-S®, CAFERGOT®, ERGOMAR®, WIGRAINE®), dihydro-ergotamine (D.H.E. 45®), or methysergide (SANSERT®).
General Precautions:
Check with your doctor before you take any new medicines, including prescription and non-prescription medicines and supplements. There are some medicines that you should not take during the period 24 hours before and 24 hours after taking Axert. Some of them are listed in the section "Who should not take Axert?"
What should I tell my doctor or health care (healthcare) provider?
Tell your health care (healthcare) provider:
- if you take monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, such as phenelzine sulfate (NARDIL®) or tranylcypromine sulfate (PARNATE®) for depression or another condition, or if it has been less than two weeks since you stopped taking a MAO inhibitor.
- if you take ketoconazole (NIZORAL®), itraconazole (SPORANOX®), ritonavir (NORVIR®), or erythromycin (EMYCIN®), or if it has been less than one week since you stopped taking one of these drugs.
- about any other medicines you may be taking, including non-prescription medicines.
- if you smoke cigarettes
These medicines may affect how Axert works. Also Axert may affect how these medicines work.
To help your doctor decide if Axert is right for your or if you need to be checked while taking Axert, tell your doctor if you ever had or have:
- high blood pressure, chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, or heart disease or damage
- family members with heart disease or damage
- liver or kidney problems
- diabetes
- high cholesterol
- plans to become pregnant, or if you are pregnant, might be pregnant, or do not use effective birth control
- plans to breast-feed, or if you are already breast-feeding a baby
What are some possible side effects of Axert? (This is not a comprehensive list of possible side effects assosciated with Axert. Your doctor or pharmacist can provide expert advice on the possible side effects of this drug.)
Axert is generally well tolerated. The side effects are usually mild and do not last long.
The most common side effects are:
- Nausea
- Sleepiness
- Tingling or burning feeling
- Headache
- Dry mouth