Frovatriptan

The recommended adult dose of frovatriptan is 2.5 mg taken by mouth with fluids for migraine headache with or without aura. If the headache goes away with the first dose but then returns, a second dose of 2.5 mg may be taken between 4 and 24 hours after the first. You should never take more than 2 tablets in a 24-hour period.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

If you do not have relief from the headache with the first dose of medication, it is unlikely that a second dose will help.

It is important to take Frovatriptan exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Store Frovatriptan at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause dryness of the mouth; it may cause dizziness - use caution when getting up from a lying or sitting position and use caution if driving; it may cause unusual tiredness; it may cause nausea or, rarely, vomiting; it may cause numbness and a decreased sensitivity to touch; it may cause a feeling of tightness in your chest. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Each round, white, film-coated tablet debossed with "2.5" on one side and "E" on the other contains 2.5 mg of frovatriptan (base) as the succinate. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide NF, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose USP, lactose NF, magnesium stearate NF, microcrystalline cellulose NF, polyethylene glycol 3000 USP, sodium starch glycollate NF, triacetin USP, titanium dioxide USP, and triacetin USP.

Do not take Frovatriptan if you:

• are allergic to frovatriptan or any ingredients of the medication
• do not have a clear diagnosis of migraine
• have Angina (chest pain), including Prinzmetal's angina (coronary vasospasm)
• have blood vessel disease (e.g., ischemic bowel disease, Raynaud's syndrome, Stroke, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs))
• have certain types of migraine headaches (including hemiplegic, basilar, or ophthalmoplegic migraine)
• have had a Heart Attack
• have heart disease (e.g., heart valve disease, ischemic heart disease, abnormal heart rhythms, congenital heart disease)
• have high blood pressure that is severe or not under control
• have severely reduced liver function
• have taken another 5-hydroxytryptamine agonist (i.e., Naratriptan, Rizatriptan, Zolmitriptan) in the previous 24 hours
• have taken ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medications (such as Dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, or methysergide) in the previous 24 hours

There may be an interaction between frovatriptan and any of the following:

• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, lisdexamphetamine)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, olanzepine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• Bromocriptine
• Buspirone
• Cabergoline
• Cyclobenzaprine
• Dextromethorphan
• ergot-containing medications (e.g., dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, or methysergide), if taken at the same time or within the previous 24 hours
• Linezolid
• lithium
• Metoclopramide
• Mirtazapine
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.S. e.g., Maprotiline, Moclobemide, Selegiline, Tranylcypromine)
• narcotic pain relievers (e.g., Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, Oxycodone)
• other 5-hydroxytryptamine agonists (e.g., rizatriptan, naratriptan, zolmitriptan) if taken at the same time or within the previous 24 hours
• Propranolol
• St. John's wort
• serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs; e.g., Desvenlafaxine, Duloxetine, venlafaxine)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Paroxetine, Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Fluvoxamine)
• serotonin antagonists (anti-emetic medications; e.g., Granisetron, Ondansetron)
• Tapentadol
• Tramadol
• Trazodone
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Desipramine, Imipramine)
• Tryptophan

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Frovatriptan. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin taking a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should take Frovatriptan.

Allergy: People allergic to other medications in this class (5-hydroxytryptamine agonists such as rizatriptan and naratriptan) can also have an allergic reaction to frovatriptan. If you are allergic to any of these medications, you should not take frovatriptan unless advised to do so by your doctor.

Blood pressure: Frovatriptan may cause an increase in blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, discuss with your doctor how Frovatriptan may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Frovatriptan, and whether any special monitoring is needed. People with severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure should not take frovatriptan.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Frovatriptan may cause drowsiness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform other potentially hazardous tasks until you have determined how Frovatriptan affects you.

Heart disease and stroke: Frovatriptan may cause narrowing of the blood vessels that supply the heart. This can lead to chest pain, heart attacks, Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat), and other heart problems. There have also been reports of bleeding in the brain and stroke with Frovatriptan. For this reason, frovatriptan should not be used by people with heart or blood vessel disease. If you have certain risk factors for heart disease (e.g., high blood pressure, High Cholesterol, smoking, Obesity, Diabetes, family history of Coronary Artery Disease, Menopause, men over 40 years of age), tell your doctor.

Medication overuse headaches: As with other medications used to treat headache pain, taking frovatriptan too frequently may cause headaches to recur as the medication wears off. If you find that headaches return frequently, you may be taking too much of Frovatriptan. This situation should be discussed with your doctor.

Seizures: If you have seizures or a history of seizure disorder, discuss with your doctor how Frovatriptan may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Frovatriptan, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Serotonin syndrome: Frovatriptan may cause a rare but potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome, especially when used with other medications that increase serotonin levels (e.g., Sumatriptan, rizatriptan, certain antidepressants, St. John's wort, sibutramine, Venlafaxine). If you experience symptoms such as agitation, confusion, hallucinations, fast heart rate, Fever, lack of coordination, increased body temperature, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, and Diarrhea, get immediate medical attention.

Pregnancy: Frovatriptan should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Frovatriptan, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if frovatriptan passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Frovatriptan, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Frovatriptan have not been established for children less than 18 years of age.

Seniors: There is limited experience with the use of frovatriptan by people over 65 years of age. The use of Frovatriptan by seniors is not recommended.

For greater effectiveness and faster relief, use this product at the first sign of a migraine. Generally, this medication is used only as needed. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. This medication may be taken with or without food.