Triptans
Almotriptan
A triptan that relieves a migraine attack once the headache begins; it is taken at the onset of the headache (not the aura), is not for prevention, and is avoided in people with significant heart or circulation problems.
What is Almotriptan?
Almotriptan is a triptan, a medicine used in the UK to treat a migraine attack once the headache has begun. It works on the swollen blood vessels and nerve signals involved in migraine to relieve the headache and related symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light. It treats attacks rather than preventing them, and is taken at the start of the headache itself rather than during any warning aura.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Almotriptan — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Almotriptan is a triptan, a group of medicines designed specifically to treat migraine attacks. It relieves the migraine headache and the symptoms that go with it, such as feeling sick and being bothered by light and sound. It is a treatment for an attack that has already started, not a medicine you take every day to stop migraines happening.
How it works
During a migraine, blood vessels around the brain widen and nerves release chemicals that cause pain and inflammation. Triptans like almotriptan act on serotonin (5-HT) receptors, narrowing these widened blood vessels and calming the nerve signals that drive the headache. This relieves the pain and the associated nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Because it can narrow blood vessels elsewhere too, it is not suitable for people with certain heart or circulation problems.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Available in the UK as generic almotriptan..
Almotriptan is a triptan migraine medicine used in the UK to treat migraine attacks once the headache has started.
What it treats
Conditions Almotriptan is used for
Practical use
How to take Almotriptan
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it as soon as the migraine headache begins, not during any aura beforehand.
- Swallow the tablet with water; it can be taken with or without food.
- If the migraine eases and then returns, a further dose may be taken after a suitable gap, as advised.
- Do not take it if you have already used another triptan or an ergotamine medicine within the past day.
- Do not use it to try to prevent migraines, and avoid using it on too many days to prevent overuse headache.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Almotriptan
Advantages
- Effective at relieving a migraine attack and its associated symptoms.
- Generally well tolerated compared with some other triptans.
- Taken only when needed for an attack rather than every day.
- Available as a generic medicine in the UK.
Disadvantages
- Treats attacks but does not prevent migraines.
- Not suitable for people with significant heart or circulation problems.
- Overuse can cause medication-overuse (rebound) headaches.
- Can interact with certain antidepressants to raise the risk of serotonin syndrome.
Practical use
Good to know
Almotriptan works best when taken as soon as the migraine headache starts; it is not meant to be taken during the aura (warning) stage before the headache, nor to prevent attacks. It should not be combined with another triptan or with ergotamine within a day. Using triptans or painkillers too often can lead to medication-overuse (rebound) headaches.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People with heart disease, angina, a previous heart attack or stroke, or poorly controlled high blood pressure.
- People with circulation problems in the legs (peripheral vascular disease).
- People who have used another triptan or an ergotamine medicine in the past day.
- People who have had an allergic reaction to a triptan.
- People with certain uncommon migraine types — hemiplegic, basilar (brainstem aura) or ophthalmoplegic migraine — should not use triptans.
Monitoring
- Heart and circulation risk assessment before first use.
- How many days each month triptans or painkillers are used, to spot overuse headache.
- Blood pressure where relevant.
Side effects
- Tingling, warmth or a feeling of tightness, sometimes in the chest or throat.
- Drowsiness or tiredness.
- Dizziness.
- Feeling sick.
- Rarely, more serious effects on the heart or circulation.
Key interactions
- Other triptans and ergotamine medicines, which must not be taken close together.
- SSRI and SNRI antidepressants, which together can rarely cause serotonin syndrome.
- Some medicines that affect how it is broken down by the body.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth.
Answers
Almotriptan: frequently asked questions
When should I take almotriptan?
Take it as soon as the migraine headache starts. It is not meant to be taken during the aura (warning) stage before the headache, nor to prevent migraines.
Does almotriptan prevent migraines?
No. It treats an attack once it has begun. If you have frequent migraines, a separate preventer medicine may be needed and you should speak to your doctor.
Can I take almotriptan with another triptan?
No. You should not take another triptan or an ergotamine medicine within a day of almotriptan, as this can be harmful.
Who should avoid almotriptan?
People with heart disease, a previous heart attack or stroke, circulation problems or uncontrolled high blood pressure should avoid it, as it can narrow blood vessels.
Can taking almotriptan too often cause headaches?
Yes. Using triptans or painkillers on too many days can lead to medication-overuse (rebound) headaches, so it should only be used for attacks and not too frequently.
The wider class
About Triptans
Almotriptan belongs to the triptans class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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