Almotriptan vs. Naratriptan for Migraine: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Almotriptan

Naratriptan

Summary for Almotriptan

Prescription only

Almotriptan is a type of migraine medication called a triptan. It treats migraine with or without aura in adults and certain children age 12 to 17 years. Its brand name Axert has been discontinued, so almotriptan is now only available as a generic. Almotriptan is a tablet that's swallowed whole when a migraine starts. You can take another tablet at least 2 hours later if the medication doesn't completely relieve your migraine. Side effects include sleepiness and headache.

Indications for Almotriptan

Treatment of migraine attacks in adults with a history of migraine with or without aura
Treatment of migraine pain in children age 12 to 17 years with a history of migraine with or without aura that lasts 4 hours or more

Pros and Cons for Almotriptan

Pros

A first-choice option for treating a migraine attack in adults
Approved for certain children 12 years and older
Might start working as soon as 30 minutes after taking the 12.5 mg strength

Cons

Might not be a good option for people who have trouble swallowing pills whole during a migraine
Not used to prevent migraine or to treat other types of headaches
Must wait at least 2 hours to take another tablet if the first dose didn't fully relieve the migraine

Common Side Effects for Almotriptan

Adults:

Nausea (1-2%)
Dry mouth (1%)
"Pins and needles" feeling in the arms or legs (1%)

Children age 12 years and older:

Sleepiness (up to 5%)
Dizziness (3-4%)
Nausea (1-3%)
Vomiting (up to 2%)
Headache (1-2%)
"Pins and needles" feeling in the arms or legs (1%)

Warnings for Almotriptan

Heart attack, chest pain (angina), and irregular heart rhythm
Stroke or other brain injury
Extreme narrowing of blood vessels
Serotonin syndrome
Worse headaches if you take almotriptan too often
High blood pressure
Serious allergic reaction

Summary for Naratriptan

Prescription only

Naratriptan is a triptan that's used to treat migraines with or without aura in adults. While the brand name Amerge is no longer available, there's a generic version that you can get by prescription. Naratriptan is a tablet that's swallowed whole once, typically as a single dose. But you can take the medication again 4 hours later if the first dose didn't work to relieve your migraine. Side effects aren't common, but it might make you nauseous, sleepy, or dizzy.

Indications for Naratriptan

Treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in adults

Pros and Cons for Naratriptan

Pros

One of the first-choice options for short-term treatment of migraines
Might cause less side effects than sumatriptan (Imitrex)
Available as a lower-cost, generic medication

Cons

Only available as a tablet, so it might not be a good option for people who have trouble swallowing pills during migraine attacks
Can take up to 4 hours to get the maximum benefit
Hasn't been studied in children
Can't use to prevent migraines

Common Side Effects for Naratriptan

Nausea (up to 5%)

Warnings for Naratriptan

Heart problems and high blood pressure
Stroke or other brain injury
Extreme narrowing of blood vessels
Worsened headaches if naratriptan is taken too often
Serotonin syndrome

Prices with our coupons for Almotriptan vs. Naratriptan

Almotriptan1 dose pack / 12 tablets of 12.5mg

$123.42$404.18

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Naratriptan1 dose pack / 9 tablets of 2.5mg

$24.23$110.59

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Almotriptan vs. Naratriptan

Almotriptan

Naratriptan

Summary for Almotriptan

Indications for Almotriptan

Pros and Cons for Almotriptan

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Almotriptan

Warnings for Almotriptan

Summary for Naratriptan

Indications for Naratriptan

Pros and Cons for Naratriptan

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Naratriptan

Warnings for Naratriptan

Prices with our coupons for Almotriptan vs. Naratriptan

Browse medications by letter

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Almotriptan

Naratriptan

Summary for Almotriptan

Indications for Almotriptan

Pros and Cons for Almotriptan

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Almotriptan

Warnings for Almotriptan

Summary for Naratriptan

Indications for Naratriptan

Pros and Cons for Naratriptan

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Naratriptan

Warnings for Naratriptan