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Zomig vs. Axert

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

Key takeaways

Zolmitriptan (Zomig) and almotriptan (Axert) are both triptans used to treat migraines, but they have some key differences. Zolmitriptan is available in multiple forms, including tablets, orally disintegrating tablets, and nasal spray, making it a good option if you have trouble swallowing pills during a migraine. Almotriptan, on the other hand, is only available as a tablet that you swallow. Almotriptan is approved for adults and children 12 years or older, while zolmitriptan nasal spray is the only form approved for children 12 years or older. Both medications work within 2 hours, but zolmitriptan has a maximum daily dose of 10 mg, whereas almotriptan's maximum is 25 mg. Zolmitriptan can cause side effects like dizziness and chest pain, while almotriptan can cause sleepiness and nausea. Both medications can lead to serious side effects like heart attacks and serotonin syndrome, so it's important to monitor for side effects.

Zolmitriptan

(Zomig)

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Almotriptan

 

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Summary for Zomig

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 for Zomig

  • Treatment of migraine

Pros and Cons for Zomig

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 for Zomig

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 for Zomig

  • 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

Summary for Axert

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 Axert

  • 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 Axert

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 Axert

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 Axert

  • 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

Prices with our coupons for Zomig vs. Axert

Price Card Drug Icon
Zolmitriptan3 dose packs / 3 tablets of 5mg
$24.04$91.94
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Almotriptan1 dose pack / 12 tablets of 12.5mg
$133.66$410.38
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