Zomig® is in a class of medications known as the “triptans.” It is a specific medication for aborting migraine headaches. Zomig® is indicated for the acute treatment of migraine in adults. It is not intended for the prophylactic treatment of migraine and Zomig® has not been approved for the treatment of cluster headache. Zolmitriptan has been available in the United States since 1997. Currently it is available in 2.5 and 5 mg tablets as well as a nasal spray. It is also available as Zomig-ZMT 5 mg which is an orally disintegrating tablet that dissolves on the tongue without water. This formula is particularly helpful when nausea and vomiting accompany the migraine pain.
The most common side effects associated with taking zolmitriptan nasal spray include unusual taste, dry mouth; tingling sensation, skin sensitivity, especially around the nose; pain, pressure, and tightness sensations (eg, in the nose, throat, or chest); drowsiness, weakness, dizziness; and nausea. The most common side effects associated with taking zolmitriptan tablets and the zolmitriptan orally disintegrating form include dizziness; tightness, pressure, pain in the neck, throat, or jaw; fatigue; tingling; drowsiness; or nausea.
Both the oral and nasal spray forms should be used no more than two days per week.
Triptans can be effective if taken at any time after the headache develops but provide pain-free relief best when taken early in the headache, while the pain is still mild.
The triptans need to be used with caution, if at all, in patients who have complicated forms of migraine such as basilar migraine or hemiplegic migraine. The same is true for patients who have poorly controlled high blood pressure. Patients who have cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular disease affecting the blood vessels should not use this medication. Patients with risk factors such as high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure may need further testing before using triptans.