Almotriptan

What is Almotriptan?

Almotriptan tablets are an effective medication to help people who are suffering from migraine attacks. This medicine is often sold under the brand name Almogran.

You can only buy Almotriptan on prescription. It can be taken by adults over the age of 18.

Almotriptan narrows the blood vessels in the brain, which are believed to cause migraines when they widen. This relieves the throbbing headache that comes with this condition.

What is Almotriptan used to treat?

Taking Almotriptan tablets will provide fast-acting relief from the pain associated with migraine headaches. Almotriptan belongs to a group of medicines called triptans. Triptans are specifically prescribed to relieve the pain caused by migraine headaches.

If you require additional pain relief, you can take Almotriptan alongside over the counter painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Why is Almotriptan recommended for migraines?

Almotriptan has been clinically researched and found to be very effective in the acute treatment of moderate to severe migraines. 

It is also generally well-tolerated, which means that you are unlikely to suffer any serious side effects from this medicine. 

How does Almotriptan work?

It is not completely understood what the cause of a migraine is, but the throbbing pain is believed to be a result of the brain's blood vessels widening. Almotriptan is a serotonin receptor agonist, meaning that it stimulates the brain's serotonin receptors, reducing the inflammatory response caused by migraines by causing the blood vessels to narrow.

It is most effective when taken at the onset of a migraine attack, but if you are not able to take it until later on during a migraine episode, it should still be effective. However, taking Almotriptan will not prevent a migraine, so you should not use the medicine for this purpose.

Who can take Almotriptan?

Almotriptan is not a suitable treatment for everyone to take.

Do not take Almotriptan tablets if you are allergic to almotriptan or any of the other ingredients in the tablets.

If you have ever suffered from any diseases that restrict the blood supply to your heart, Almotriptan is not suitable for you. These include:

• Heart attack
• Chest pain or discomfort that happens with stress or activity
• Heart problems without any pain
• Severe high blood pressure
• Mild or moderate high blood pressure that is not controlled
• You have ever had a stroke or a reduction in blood flow to the brain
• You have ever had obstruction of the large arteries in your arms or legs
• You are already taking any other treatment for migraines, such as ergotamine or other serotonin antagonists
• You have severe liver disease

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if:

• Your headache symptoms are different to your normal migraine attacks. They may include vertigo or short-term paralysis on one side of your body
• Your type of migraine has not been diagnosed
• You are allergic to sulphonamides (antibacterial medicines that are used in the treatment of urinary tract infections)
• You suffer from severe kidney disease
• You have liver disease
• You are over the age of 65
• You are at risk of heart disease, such as having uncontrolled high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, high cholesterol, a family history of heart disease, postmenopausal women or men over 40 years old
• You are taking antidepressants classed as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or SNRIs (serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors)

This medication is only to be taken by adults over the age of 18. It is not suitable for children.

Can you buy Almotriptan over the counter?

Almotriptan is a prescription-only medicine (POM), so you cannot buy it over the counter.

Can you buy Almotriptan online in the UK?

To buy Almotriptan online from Medicine Direct, you will first need to complete our confidential online consultation questionnaire; this is so that one of our registered prescribers can make sure Almotriptan is safe for you to take.

If you place your order by 2pm, we can offer you next day delivery on your medication.

Never buy any medicine online unless it is from a pharmacy that is regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council, like Medicine Direct. Our doctors and pharmacists are all registered with the General Medical Council, meaning they can prescribe medicine just like your local GP.

Almotriptan alternatives

Many alternative medicines are available to order from our pharmacy if Almotriptan is not suitable for you. We also stock other triptan medicines, including Sumatriptan and Rizatriptan, which will work in the same way as Almotriptan to relieve your symptoms. These medicines are only available on prescription, but you can buy them from our pharmacy after filling out our questionnaire so a prescriber can review your answers.

The likes of Anadin Extra and Migraleve Pink do not need a prescription to purchase and are also available from our pharmacy after an online consultation.

Almotriptan Dosage

Our pharmacists and prescribers follow NICE guidelines when prescribing Almotriptan.

Always take Almotriptan tablets exactly as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist. Read the patient information leaflet and speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. 

The recommended dose for adults aged 18-65 years old is one 12.5 mg tablet, which you should take as soon as possible after you feel the symptoms of a migraine coming on. Do not take more than one tablet for the same migraine if your symptoms do not improve.

If you have severe kidney disease, do not take more than one tablet in a 24 hour period.

How to take Almotriptan

Ideally, you should take Almotriptan at the first sign of a migraine attack, but it will still provide relief if taken later into an attack.

Take one 12.5mg tablet at the onset of an attack. Swallow the tablet whole with a drink of water.

If your symptoms do not go away or come back, you can take a second dose after two hours.

Do not take more than two tablets in 24 hours.

If your symptoms persist, speak to your doctor.

Almotriptan Side Effects

The common side effects of Almotriptan may affect 1 in every 10 people who take it:

• Tiredness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sleepiness
• Dizziness

Less common side effects may affect up to 1 in 100 people:

• Heart palpitations
• Tinnitus
• Headaches
• Tingling, pricking or numb sensation in the skin
• Dry mouth
• Discomfort when digesting food
• Throat tightening
• Feeling weak
• Diarrhoea
• Muscle pain
• Chest pain
• Bone pain

Speak to your doctor if any of these undesired effects bother you or do not go away.

Rare side effects of Almotriptan include:

• Increased heart rate
• Heart attack
• Heart spasm

Seek immediate medical attention if you suffer any of the above.

Always read the patient information leaflet for a comprehensive list of side effects.

Almotriptan warnings and drug interactions

Tell your doctor if you are already taking any other form of medicine before taking Almotriptan.

In particular, inform your doctor if you are currently taking:

• Medicines to treat depression, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
• Any herbal remedies that contain St John's Wort

Always read the patient information leaflet for more guidance. If you have any questions or concerns at all, we strongly advise you to speak to your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

You should speak to your doctor for information on whether it is suitable for you to take Almotriptan if you are currently pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are trying to get pregnant.

You should also speak to your doctor for guidance if you are breastfeeding. If they deem it suitable for you to take, you should not breastfeed for 24 hours after taking Almotriptan tablets.

Ingredients

The main active ingredients within this medicine are: Almotriptan d and l-hydrogen malate.

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics.

What happens if you take too much Almotriptan?

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if you or someone else takes more Almotriptan tablets than instructed. You are at a greater risk of side effects if you take too much.

Is Sumatriptan the same as Almotriptan?

Both medicines are triptans prescribed for migraines. Both medicines are well tolerated and are similarly effective at relieving symptoms.

How many days in a row can you take Almotriptan?

Do not take Almotriptan for longer than 10 days per month. If you are suffering from migraines on a regular basis, you should go back and speak to your doctor.

Is Almotriptan a narcotic?

Almotriptan is a triptan, not a narcotic.

Can you take Tylenol with Almotriptan?

There are no known interactions between Tylenol and Almotriptan, although you should still speak to your doctor or pharmacist about combining Almotriptan with other medicines.

Can you take Almotriptan on an empty stomach?

Almotriptan tablets can be taken with or without food.

Can you drink alcohol with Almotriptan?

Although alcohol will not have a direct effect on Almotriptan, it can make your migraine symptoms worse. Almotriptan can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and nausea, which could be exacerbated by drinking alcohol. Therefore, you are advised against drinking alcohol while taking this medication.

How fast does Almotriptan work?

You should start to feel better within a couple of hours of taking Almotriptan. A second dose can be taken if your symptoms do not improve or come back within two hours.

Can you take Almotriptan and ibuprofen?

Yes, you can take ibuprofen alongside Almotriptan if you require additional pain relief.

How often can you take Almotriptan?

If you need a second dose, you can take it at least two hours after your first dose. Do not take more than two Almotriptan tablets in 24 hours.