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Compare Amerge vs. Zomig

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

Key takeaways

Naratriptan and zolmitriptan (Zomig) are both triptans used to treat migraines. But they have several differences. Naratriptan is available only as an oral tablet, while zolmitriptan comes in multiple forms: oral tablet, orally disintegrating tablet (ODT), and nasal spray. This makes zolmitriptan a better option if you have trouble swallowing pills during a migraine. Naratriptan can be taken again 4 hours after the first dose if needed, but zolmitriptan can be taken again after just 2 hours. Both medications can cause side effects like dizziness and sleepiness, but zolmitriptan has a higher chance of causing nausea and unusual taste, especially with the nasal spray. Additionally, zolmitriptan is available in both brand-name and generic forms, while naratriptan is only available as a generic. Both medications should not be used to prevent migraines and have similar warnings regarding heart problems and serotonin syndrome (high serotonin levels).

drug combination

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  • Naratriptan
    Zolmitriptan (Zomig)
  • Naratriptan
    Zolmitriptan (Zomig)

  • Summary of Amerge vs. Zomig

    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 Triptan
    Prescription only

    Zolmitriptan (Zomig) is used for the short-term treatment of migraines. You typically take just one dose when you have a migraine. Zolmitriptan (Zomig) can cause side effects like dizziness and chest, neck, or jaw pain. This medication is a tablet that you swallow. It also comes as an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) and a nasal spray, which can be good options for people who have trouble swallowing pills during a migraine. Zolmitriptan (Zomig) is available by prescription only as a brand-name and generic medication; it's not found over the counter.

  • Indications of Amerge vs. Zomig

    Indications for
    •Treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in adults
    Indications for
    •Treatment of migraine

  • Pros and Cons of Amerge vs. Zomig

    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 Triptan
    Pros
    •One of the first-choice options for adults to treat moderate or severe migraine
    •Works within 2 hours after taking the dose
    •Has ODT and nasal spray forms, so it's a good option for people who have trouble swallowing pills during a migraine
    Cons
    •Not used for other types of headaches
    •Doesn't prevent migraines from happening
    •Can worsen your headaches if you take the medication for more than 9 days in a month

  • Common Side Effects of Amerge vs. Zomig

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

    Tablets and orally disintegrating tablets

    •Nausea (up to 9%)
    •Dizziness (up to 8%)
    •Pins and needles feeling in the arms or legs (up to 7%)
    •Neck, throat, or jaw pain, tightness, or pressure (up to 7%)
    •Sleepiness (up to 6%)
    •Feeling warm or cold (up to 6%)
    •Body weakness (up to 5%)
    •Dry mouth (up to 5%)
    •Chest pain, tightness, pressure, or heaviness (up to 3%)

    Nasal spray

    •Unusual taste (up to 17%)
    •Dizziness (6%)
    •Pins and needles feeling in your arms or legs (5%)
    •Throat pain (4%)
    •Feeling warm (4%)
    •Dry mouth (3%)
    •Body weakness (3%)

  • Warnings of Amerge vs. Zomig

    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
    •Heart attack and chest pain (angina)
    •Irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmias)
    •Stroke or other brain injury
    •Blood vessel issues
    •Serotonin syndrome
    •High blood pressure
    •Caution use in people with phenylketonuria (PKU) - for orally disintegrating tablet only

  • Prices with our coupons for Amerge vs. Zomig

    Learn more about Naratriptan
    Learn more about Zolmitriptan

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