Axert (Almotriptan)

What is Axert?

Axert is classified in the drugs known as triptans.

What is Axert used for?

Axert is used to get relief from pain, headache and other symptoms of migraine, which includes nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light or sound.

How does Axert work?

Axert works by affecting a particular natural chemical in the brain, which is responsible for constricting the blood vessels and thus, helps get relieve from acute pain.

How to use Axert

A leaflet comes along with Axert, which contains all the information about the drug, so you must read the leaflet carefully in order to follow the exact dosage instructions. You can take Axert orally, with or without meal. It is necessary to take Axert with a full glass of water. Swallow the medicine at once and do not chew, break, or crush the pill.

Whenever you notice the symptoms of migraine attack, take Axert immediately, in order to prevent serious consequences. You can take the second dose of Axert, if your headache returns but consume it after a gap of at least two hours.

If you do not get relief from headache after the first dose, do not take the second dose without asking your doctor. Taking more than two tablets within the period of 24 hours could be harmful.

Axert warnings and precautions

• Do not take Axert, if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
• You are not advised to take this medicine, if you have a uncontrolled high blood pressure, hemiplegic or basilar migraine headaches, history of coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease, brain blood vessel disease, or other blood vessel disease.
• Do not take Axert, if you are pregnant, planning to conceive, or a lactating mother.
• You must tell your doctor, if you have liver or kidney problems, epilepsy, other types of headache including cluster headaches, or if any of your family members has had heart disease.
• If you have chest pain, shortness of breath, high cholesterol, diabetes or smoking, you must not take Axert, without asking your doctor.
• Women, who are at post menopause stage or have had a hysterectomy, must take suggestion from their doctor before taking this medicine.
• Men, who have crossed 40 years of age, must ask their doctor before taking the drug.
• If you are overweight, even then, you must take advice from your medical health provider.

What do I do if I have missed a Axert dose?

If you have missed your Axert dose, you should follow the dosage instructions of your doctor.

What do I do if I have taken a Axert overdose?

If you have taken an Axert overdose, you should take help of your local medical emergency team.

Axert interactions

Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors including duloxetine; Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors having fluoxetine; or sibutramine may increase the risk of side effects, when consumed alongside Axert.

Drugs like ketoconazole, ergotamine, ritonavir, erythromycin, phenelzine, verapamil, 5-HT₁ receptor agonist including eletriptan and rizatriptan, can also increase the risk of side effects of Axert. Thus, it is advisable not to consume the two medicines simultaneously.

Sulfonamide medicine, such as celecoxib, acetazolamide; certain diuretics including, hydrochlorothiazide, probenecid, glyburide, valdecoxib, sulfamethoxazole, or zonisamide are also expected to interact with Axert.

Axert side effects

The possible side effects of Axert are drowsiness, dry mouth, dizziness, nausea, headache, vomiting, and sleepiness.

Some of the serious side effects of Axert are severe allergic reactions including hives, skin rashes, difficulty in breathing; swelling of mouth, tongue, lips or face; tightness in chest, changes in vision, chest pain, bloody diarrhea; cold, pale, or blue-colored toes or fingers; fainting, fast or uneven heartbeat, numbness, seizures, severe headache, severe stomach pain, shortness of breath; tightness, pain, or pressure in the jaw and chest or neck.