Zolmitriptan

What is Zolmitriptan?

Zolmitriptan is a selective serotonin receptor agonist and is used in the treatment of migraines, with or without aura and cluster headaches. Zolmitriptan is a member of the triptan class of drugs.

Zolmitriptan is prescribed to treat migraines, helping to relieve the unpleasant symptoms of this common issue such as headaches, nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Ideally, it should be taken at the onset of a migraine attack, although it can also be taken later on into an attack.

You need a prescription to buy Zolmitriptan. 

What is Zolmitriptan used to treat?

Zolmitriptan tablets are sold as an acute treatment for migraine attacks. 

You will likely be prescribed Zolmitriptan when over the counter painkillers like paracetamol have not worked to ease your migraines.

Zolmitriptan should not be used to prevent migraines, only to relieve them when they occur.

While the exact cause of a migraine is not known, Zolmitriptan continues to be widely prescribed and is effective at relieving the symptoms of a migraine.

Why is Zolmitriptan recommended for migraines?

In clinical trials, Zolmitriptan was found to be an effective treatment for the symptoms of migraines. There is even evidence to suggest that Zolmitriptan can reduce the symptoms of migraine when other treatments had failed to have an effect. 

Research also showed that Zolmitriptan was generally well tolerated, so the risk of side effects is minimal. 

How does Zolmitriptan work?

Triptans like Zolmitriptan work to relieve the symptoms of migraines by helping to narrow the blood vessels around the brain, which are believed to expand at the onset of a migraine attack.

By narrowing the blood vessels back to their normal size the pressure is relieved, as is the throbbing headache that comes with a migraine. Furthermore, this helps to ease the other symptoms that are caused by migraines, like nausea.

Zolmitriptan is a fast-acting medicine and should have effectively relieved your symptoms after around one hour.

Who can take Zolmitriptan?

Zolmitriptan is an effective medication to treat migraine symptoms, but it may not be suitable for everyone to use.

You should not take Zolmitriptan if:

• You are allergic to zolmitriptan or any ingredients in the medication
• You have high blood pressure
• You have or have ever had heart problems, including a heart attack and angina, or have ever had any symptoms of a heart problem, like tightness in the chest or shortness of breath
• You have liver problems
• You are at risk of heart disease
• You have headaches that differ to the usual ones brought on by migraines
• You have Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
• You are taking any medicine to treat depression
• You have had a stroke or exhibited symptoms similar to those of a stroke
• You are taking any other medicines to treat a migraine (see the Warnings tab for the full list of medicines that interact with Zolmitriptan)

If you have any questions or concerns, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you start to take the medication. This list is not exhaustive; always read the patient information leaflet.

Can you buy Zolmitriptan over the counter?

Zolmitriptan cannot be bought over the counter. You will need a prescription from your doctor to purchase this medication.

Can you buy Zolmitriptan online in the UK?

Medicine Direct stocks Zolmitriptan, but it is a prescription-only medicine (POM). To buy Zolmitriptan online from our pharmacy, you will need to first fill out our online consultation form for one of our prescribers to assess. This is to make sure that it is a suitable medicine for you to take. You will also need to have been diagnosed with migraines by your doctor.

We can offer you next day delivery if your order is placed by 2pm.

Medicine Direct is fully regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council, which means that all of our medicine is safe and approved for sale in the UK. For your own safety, never buy medication online unless it is from a registered pharmacy.

Zolmitriptan alternatives

You can buy various other triptan medicines online from Medicine Direct. These medicines work in the same way as Zolmitriptan. We also stock migraine medicines such as Sumatriptan and Almotriptan. Just complete an online consultation form and one of our registered doctors or pharmacists will review your answers to ensure your desired medication is safe for you to take.

Zolmitriptan is also available as a branded version, Zomig 2.5mg/5mg tablets.

Imigran nasal sprays are available to treat migraines, as are Imigran tablets. These medicines contain sumatriptan as the active ingredient.

We also sell non-prescription alternatives to Zolmitriptan. Anadin Extra caplets provide effective relief from migraines, as well as the likes of toothache and period pain. Containing paracetamol and aspirin, Anadin Extra is a comprehensive treatment for migraine symptoms. They also contain caffeine, which helps the medicine to get to work as quickly as possible, providing rapid relief from pain.

Zolmitriptan Dosage

Our pharmacists and prescribers follow NICE guidelines when prescribing Zolmitriptan.

Take Zolmitriptan as your doctor or pharmacist has instructed you. Always read the patient information leaflet for comprehensive instructions.

Zolmitriptan tablets should be swallowed whole with a drink of water. The tablets can be taken with or without food.

You can take Zolmitriptan tablets as soon as you start to suffer a migraine attack.

You can take a second dose after two hours if your migraine symptoms have not gotten any better or come back. Do not take more than two doses in a single 24 hour period. The maximum daily dose of Zolmitriptan is 10mg (2 5mg tablets).

If this medication does not provide effective relief from your condition, go back to your doctor, who may prescribe a different course of treatment for you to try.

Zolmitriptan Side Effects

Common Zolmitriptan side effects include:

• Headaches
• Dry Mouth
• Difficulty swallowing
• Muscle pain or muscle weakness
• Stomach pain
• Tingling in your fingers or toes
• Your skin becoming sensitive to touch
• Feeling weak
• Feeling sick or being sick
• Feeling sleepy or dizzy
• Feeling warm
• Uneven heartbeat
• Heaviness, tightness, pressure or pain in the neck, throat, chest, arms or legs

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if any of these effects worry you or don't go away.

In rare cases, you may experience more serious side effects. If you notice any of the below symptoms, you should stop taking Zolmitriptan and seek medical attention straight away:

• Spasms of the blood vessels in the gut – symptoms include stomach pain or diarrhoea
• Bleeding in the brain or a stroke
• Angina (pain in the chest or shortness of breath)
• Very fast heartbeat
• Urinating more often or not urinating at all
• Higher blood pressure

Always read the patient information leaflet for the full list of side effects. If you have any concerns, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you take Zolmitriptan.

Zolmitriptan warnings and drug interactions

Zolmitriptan may interact with other medicines.

Before you take Zolmitriptan, you should inform your doctor and pharmacist of any other medicine you are currently using. This includes both prescription and non-prescription medicines, herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements.

You should make sure your doctor and pharmacist are aware if you are taking any of the following:

• Any medicines to treat depression
• Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
• Cimetidine
• Any quinolone antibiotics

If you take any other triptans, leave at least 24 hours before you take Zolmitriptan. Similarly, after taking Zolmitriptan, leave at least 24 hours before you take any other triptans.

After you take Zolmitriptan, wait at least 6 hours before you take any ergotamine or ergot-type medicines.

You should not drive or operate machinery if you feel dizzy or sleepy as a result of taking this medicine.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

There is insufficient research to say that this medication is completely safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women. There is no evidence to suggest that Triptans used during pregnancy increase the risk of miscarriages or increase the risks of congenital malformations.  

If you are currently pregnant, think you might be pregnant or are trying to get pregnant, you should inform your doctor before you start to take Zolmitriptan.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. Small amounts of the medicine can get into your breast milk and be passed onto the baby.

Zolmitriptan Ingredients

The main active ingredient within this medicine is: Zolmitriptan.

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

Is Zolmitriptan better than Sumatriptan?

Zolmitriptan has been found to be more effective than Sumatriptan at relieving migraine headaches. A study showed that 2.5mg of Zolmitriptan was significantly more effective than 50mg of Sumatriptan.

How much does Zolmitriptan cost in the UK?

To buy Zolmitriptan online at Medicine Direct, the price ranges from £14.99 to £35.99, depending on how many tablets you wish to order.

Is Zolmitriptan the same as Sumatriptan?

Both of these medicines are triptans, and both are taken to relieve the symptoms of migraine headaches. However, Zolmitriptan has been found to be more effective at relieving symptoms than Sumatriptan.

Is Zolmitriptan available in the UK?

Yes, you can buy Zolmitriptan online in the UK from regulated pharmacies. It is also available to buy from pharmacies, but only if your doctor has prescribed it for you.

Is Zolmitriptan a narcotic?

Zolmitriptan is a triptan, not a narcotic.

What happens if you take too much Zolmitriptan?

If you have taken more Zolmitriptan than you were instructed to, you should call 111 or go to A&E straight away. Take the medicine and the patient information leaflet with you if you need to go to hospital. It is particularly important to seek medical attention if you have taken too much medication and experience any side effects.

How many days in a row can you take Zolmitriptan?

Triptans like Zolmitriptan should not be taken more than 10 days each month. If you take triptans on a regular basis, this may make your migraine worse or give you a medication-induced headache. Talk to your doctor if you need to take Zolmitriptan regularly.

Can I drink alcohol with Zolmitriptan?

Avoid alcohol while taking Zolmitriptan as it may make side effects more severe. Alcohol may also make migraine symptoms worse.

Can you take Zolmitriptan with Ibuprofen?

There are no known drug interactions between these two medicines, so it should be safe to take ibuprofen if you require pain relief.

How long does Zolmitriptan last?

Zolmitriptan has a half-life of between 2.5 and 3 hours. If you need to take a second tablet, you can do so as long as it has been at least two hours since you took the first one. Do not take more than 2 tablets in 24 hours.