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Compare Amerge vs. Migranal

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Naratriptan and dihydroergotamine (Migranal) are both used to treat migraines, but they have several differences. Naratriptan is a triptan, available only as an oral tablet, and works by tightening blood vessels in the brain and reducing swelling. It is typically taken as a single dose, with the option to take a second dose after 4 hours if needed. Dihydroergotamine, on the other hand, is an ergot derivative available as a nasal spray or injection. It binds to multiple receptors in the brain, including serotonin and dopamine receptors, to relieve migraine and cluster headaches. Dihydroergotamine kicks in faster than naratriptan, with the nasal spray form starting to work in as little as 15 minutes. However, dihydroergotamine may cause nasal irritation. Both medications can cause serious side effects like heart problems and stroke. But dihydroergotamine has a higher risk of causing these issues due to its stronger blood vessel tightening effects.

drug combination

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  • Naratriptan
    Dihydroergotamine
  • Naratriptan
    Dihydroergotamine

  • Summary of Amerge vs. Migranal

    Summary for Triptan
    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.

    Summary for Ergot derivative
    Prescription only

    Dihydroergotamine works well to treat migraines and cluster headaches, but can't be used to prevent them. It can be used as a nasal spray or an injection.

  • Indications of Amerge vs. Migranal

    Indications for
    •Treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in adults
    Indications for
    •Migraine headaches
    •Cluster headaches – injection form only

  • Pros and Cons of Amerge vs. Migranal

    Pros and Const for Triptan
    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
    Pros and Const for Ergot derivative
    Pros
    •A first-choice treatment for moderate-to-severe migraine headaches
    •Trudhesa nasal spray can start working as soon as 15 minutes to relieve pain from migraine attack
    •Available as a nasal spray and injection
    •Some forms are available as a lower-cost generic (Migranal, D.H.E. 45)
    •Better tolerated by people experiencing nausea or vomiting with migraine attack
    Cons
    •Not for long-term use
    •Nasal spray (Migranal, Trudhesa) can cause changes in taste as a side effect
    •Can cause stroke or heart attack
    •Can't be used with many medical conditions, during pregnancy, or while breastfeeding
    •Unknown if safe or works well in children

  • Common Side Effects of Amerge vs. Migranal

    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea (up to 5%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Note: Side effects listed below for nasal sprays only.

    •Nose, throat, or sinus irritation (52%, Trudhesa; 6%, Migranal)
    •Runny nose (26%)
    •Nausea (10%)
    •Change in taste (8%)

  • Warnings of Amerge vs. Migranal

    Common Side Effects for
    •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
    Common Side Effects for
    •Low blood flow, including from interactions with other medications
    •Heart attack or injury
    •Stroke
    •High blood presure
    •Rebound headaches
    •Preterm labor and harm to unborn babies
    •Fibrosis (scarring)
    •Irritation from nasal spray

  • Prices with our coupons for Amerge vs. Migranal

    Learn more about Naratriptan
    Learn more about Dihydroergotamine

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