Triptans
Frovatriptan
A long-acting triptan for migraine attacks; its longer duration makes it useful for migraines that tend to return, including menstrual migraine, but it still treats attacks rather than preventing them and carries the usual triptan heart cautions.
What is Frovatriptan?
Frovatriptan is a triptan, a medicine used in the UK to treat a migraine attack once the headache has begun. It works on the blood vessels and nerve signals involved in migraine to relieve the headache and related symptoms. It is longer-acting than many triptans, which can make it helpful for migraines that come back during an attack, including migraine linked to periods.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Frovatriptan — 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
Frovatriptan is a triptan, a group of medicines designed to treat migraine attacks. It relieves the migraine headache and accompanying symptoms such as nausea and sensitivity to light. It stands out for lasting longer in the body than most triptans, which can be useful when migraines tend to return or are linked to the menstrual cycle. It treats attacks rather than preventing them.
How it works
During a migraine, blood vessels around the brain widen and nerves release pain-causing chemicals. Frovatriptan acts on serotonin (5-HT) receptors, narrowing these widened vessels and quietening the nerve signals that produce the headache. Its longer-lasting action means it stays working for longer, which can help when a migraine would otherwise return. As with all triptans, the same vessel-narrowing means it is unsuitable for people with certain heart or circulation problems.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Marketed in the UK as Migard and as generic frovatriptan..
Frovatriptan is a long-acting triptan used in the UK to treat migraine attacks, including menstrual migraine.
What it treats
Conditions Frovatriptan is used for
Practical use
How to take Frovatriptan
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 returns, a further dose may be taken after a suitable gap, as advised.
- For menstrual migraine it may be used around the time of your period if your doctor recommends this.
- Do not take it if you have used another triptan or an ergotamine medicine within the past day, and avoid using it on too many days.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Frovatriptan
Advantages
- Long-acting, which can help migraines that tend to return during an attack.
- Useful for menstrual migraine because of its longer duration.
- Taken only when needed for an attack rather than every day.
- Available as both branded Migard and generic frovatriptan in the UK.
Disadvantages
- Treats attacks but does not prevent migraines.
- May work more slowly at first than some shorter-acting triptans.
- Not suitable for people with significant heart or circulation problems.
- Overuse can cause medication-overuse (rebound) headaches.
Practical use
Good to know
Frovatriptan's long duration makes it a common choice for menstrual migraine, where it may be used around the time of periods on a doctor's advice. As with other triptans, it is taken at the onset of the headache (not the aura), is not a preventer, and must not be combined with another triptan or ergotamine within a day. Using it too often can cause medication-overuse headache.
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
- Dizziness or tiredness.
- Tingling, warmth or a feeling of tightness, sometimes in the chest or throat.
- Headache or flushing.
- 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 handled by the body.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth.
Answers
Frovatriptan: frequently asked questions
Why is frovatriptan used for menstrual migraine?
Because it lasts longer in the body than most triptans, it can be useful for the migraines that come around the time of a period, where it may be used over those days on a doctor's advice.
When should I take frovatriptan?
Take it as soon as the migraine headache starts. It is not meant for the aura stage beforehand, nor to prevent migraines.
Is frovatriptan slower to work?
It may take a little longer to act than some shorter-acting triptans, but its effect lasts longer, which can help migraines that tend to return.
Can I take frovatriptan with another triptan?
No. You should not take another triptan or an ergotamine medicine within a day of frovatriptan.
Who should not take frovatriptan?
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.
The wider class
About Triptans
Frovatriptan 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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