A triptan migraine medicine
Naratriptan
A slower-acting but longer-lasting triptan taken at the start of a migraine, often chosen for attacks that tend to return.
What is Naratriptan?
Naratriptan is a triptan used to treat migraine attacks once the headache has started. It works more slowly than some other triptans but lasts longer, which can suit migraines that tend to come back. It tends to cause fewer side effects than the faster triptans, but is not the best choice when you need rapid relief.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Naratriptan — 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
Naratriptan is a triptan used in the UK to treat migraine attacks. Compared with faster triptans, it has a gentler, slower onset but a longer duration of action, which can make it a good option for people whose migraines tend to recur after they ease. It also tends to be better tolerated, with fewer of the tingling and chest-tightness effects some people dislike. It is taken once the migraine headache has begun and is not used for prevention.
How it works
Naratriptan acts on serotonin (5-HT) receptors linked to migraine. It narrows the blood vessels around the brain that widen during an attack and reduces the release of pain- and inflammation-causing chemicals from nerve endings. This calms the migraine process. Because naratriptan is cleared from the body more slowly than some other triptans, its effect is more gradual but lasts longer, which can help with attacks that otherwise return.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: GlaxoWellcome (now GSK).
Developed by GlaxoWellcome (now GSK) in the UK and introduced in the late 1990s as a slower-onset but longer-acting triptan with a gentler side-effect profile.
What it treats
Conditions Naratriptan is used for
Practical use
How to take Naratriptan
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it at the start of the migraine headache, not during the aura and not to prevent attacks.
- Swallow the tablet with water.
- Allow a little more time to work than with faster triptans before judging the effect.
- If the migraine eases and then returns, a repeat dose may be taken after the recommended interval, within the daily maximum.
- Do not take it within 24 hours of another triptan or an ergotamine-type medicine.
- Keep monthly use limited to reduce the chance of rebound headache.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Naratriptan
Advantages
- Longer-acting, which can help migraines that tend to recur.
- Often better tolerated, with fewer tingling and chest-tightness effects.
- Treats the pain and the associated nausea and light/sound sensitivity together.
- A useful alternative if faster triptans cause too many side effects.
Disadvantages
- Slower to work, so not ideal when you need rapid relief.
- Only treats attacks once started — it does not prevent migraine.
- Still carries the triptan cautions around heart disease and high blood pressure.
- Overuse can lead to medication-overuse (rebound) headache.
Practical use
Good to know
Naratriptan is taken at the start of the migraine headache. Its slower onset means it is not the best choice if you need relief quickly, but its longer action can help if your migraines tend to come back. It is often better tolerated than faster triptans. As with all triptans, it should not be used within 24 hours of another triptan or ergotamine, and over-frequent use 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 narrowed blood vessels.
- People with uncontrolled or markedly raised high blood pressure.
- Anyone who has taken another triptan or an ergotamine within the past 24 hours.
- People with significant kidney or liver problems, or taking certain MAOI antidepressants — check with a prescriber.
- Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding, as triptans are generally avoided or used with caution then.
Monitoring
- Blood pressure and heart-health risk should be reviewed before triptans are started.
- Keep track of how many days a month migraine medicines are used.
- Report chest tightness, a very fast heartbeat or any new neurological symptoms.
Side effects
- Tingling, warmth or a tight feeling in the chest, throat or neck — generally milder than with faster triptans.
- Drowsiness, dizziness or tiredness.
- Nausea, although it also helps the sickness of the migraine itself.
- Rarely, serotonin syndrome (agitation, sweating, shivering, fast heartbeat) with certain antidepressants — seek urgent advice.
Key interactions
- Other triptans and ergotamine medicines — do not combine or use within 24 hours of each other.
- SSRI and SNRI antidepressants raise the small risk of serotonin syndrome.
- MAOI antidepressants — naratriptan is generally avoided around their use.
- Tell a pharmacist about all other medicines, including those bought over the counter.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth.
Answers
Naratriptan: frequently asked questions
Why does naratriptan feel slower to work?
Naratriptan has a gentler onset and is cleared from the body more slowly than some other triptans. The trade-off is that it lasts longer, which can help if your migraines tend to come back.
Is naratriptan a good choice if my migraines return?
It can be. Its longer duration of action means it may keep working for a recurring attack better than a fast, short-acting triptan, though everyone responds differently.
When should I take it?
Take it as soon as the migraine headache begins. It is not effective during the aura beforehand and is not used to prevent attacks.
Does it cause fewer side effects than other triptans?
Many people find naratriptan gentler, with less tingling and chest tightness. The same heart and blood-pressure cautions still apply, however.
Can I use it as often as I like?
No. Using triptans on too many days a month can cause medication-overuse headache, and it should not be taken within 24 hours of another triptan or ergotamine.
The wider class
About Triptans
Naratriptan 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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