10 Treximet Side Effects You Should Know About

When you feel a migraine coming on, you may reach for a medication like Treximet for relief. Treximet combines two active ingredients — sumatriptan and naproxen — to lessen pain and inflammation. Sumatriptan is a triptan and naproxen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

You only take Treximet after a migraine starts. It’s not something you take every day for migraine prevention. But that doesn’t mean it can’t cause side effects. In fact, Treximet can make your headaches worse or cause new headaches if you take it too often.

Most commonly, people experience dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea after taking Treximet. Learn more about these and other side effects below.

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Treximet side effects at a glance

Most Treximet side effects are mild and go away after the medication leaves your body. But others can be more serious and may require medical attention.

During clinical trials, the more common Treximet side effects were reported by less than 5% of people taking the medication. Examples of these more common side effects include:

• Dizziness

• Drowsiness

• Nausea

• Stomach upset

• Pins and needles sensation on the skin

• Dry mouth

• Chest discomfort or pain

• Tightness, pain, or pressure in the neck, throat, or jaw area

Examples of less common or serious Treximet side effects include:

• Medication overuse headaches

• Stomach ulcers or bleeding

• Heart rhythm changes

• Increased risk of heart attack or stroke

• Liver damage

• Kidney damage

• Increased blood pressure

• Worsening heart failure

• Serotonin syndrome

• Allergic reactions

• Serious skin reactions

• Seizures

Keep in mind that these side effects are possible, but that doesn’t mean you’ll experience all (or any) of them. Below, we dive deeper into 10 Treximet side effects and how to manage them.

1. Dizziness

Dizziness is the most common Treximet side effect. After your migraine has resolved, you shouldn’t drive or operate other heavy machinery until you know how Treximet affects you. And if you’re feeling dizzy, sit or lie down until the dizziness goes away. This will help you avoid a fall.

If you frequently feel dizzy after taking Treximet, or if your dizziness doesn’t go away, let your healthcare provider know.

2. Drowsiness

Another common Treximet side effect is drowsiness. This is another reason that you shouldn’t drive or perform tasks that require alertness until you know how Treximet affects you. And if you’re taking other medications that make you drowsy, this side effect may be worse.

If drowsiness after taking Treximet starts to affect your daily life, talk to your healthcare provider. They can work with you to determine if it’s due to your medication regimen or something else. And, if needed, they can discuss alternative medication options with you.

3.Nausea

You may experience nausea after taking Treximet. If this seems to happen when you take your dose on an empty stomach, try taking the medication with a small meal or snack. It’s also possible that the nausea may be from your migraine, not Treximet.

If the nausea is worse than what you normally experience with a migraine, talk to your healthcare provider. They can recommend potential management tips or other treatment options, if needed.

But if your nausea is accompanied by other symptoms — such as yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), chest pain that’s not going away, or shortness of breath — go to the nearest emergency room.

4. Chest pain or discomfort

You may experience pain or discomfort in your chest after taking Treximet. While this can be uncomfortable, it shouldn’t last long. And in most cases, it’s not connected to something more serious, such as a heart attack.

But if your chest pain isn’t going away, or if it goes away and comes back, go to the nearest emergency room. Chest pain can be serious, so it’s important to get it checked out right away if it’s not getting better. While rare, there have been instances of heart attacks related to Treximet. But we’ll discuss that more below.

5. Neck, throat, or jaw tightness

Treximet can also cause temporary tightness in your neck, throat, or jaw. As with chest discomfort, this usually isn’t related to your heart. And it should go away on its own. But it could be a sign of something more serious if it gets worse or doesn’t go away.

While rare, it’s possible to have a severe allergic reaction to Treximet. This could cause tightness from swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat. It can also lead to difficulty breathing and/or a rash. If you develop these symptoms, get immediate medical attention.

6. Medication overuse headaches

Even though Treximet is used to treat migraines, it can actually cause headaches if you take it too often. These are referred to as medication overuse headaches. They can happen as often as every day and can be harder to treat than your usual headaches.

The best way to prevent medication overuse headaches is to take Treximet as prescribed. Limit the use of migraine medications like Treximet to less than 10 days per month. If your headaches become more frequent or worsen in intensity, speak with your healthcare provider.

Keep in mind: There are medications that can help prevent migraines from happening in the first place. If you’re frequently experiencing migraines, consider discussing preventative options with your healthcare provider.

7. Liver damage

The naproxen component in Treximet can cause changes in your liver tests, which can be a sign of inflammation or damage. If this happens, you may not notice any symptoms. Sometimes liver test changes resolve on their own, but they may also stay the same or worsen over time for some people.

In rare cases, severe liver damage and liver failure have been reported with NSAIDs. Liver damage related to Treximet can cause jaundice, abdominal pain, and flu-like symptoms. Nausea and fatigue are also possible. Let your healthcare provider know right away if any of these symptoms develop.

8. Serotonin syndrome

Serotonin syndrome is a rare but serious Treximet side effect. Serotonin syndrome can occur when there’s too much serotonin in the brain. And if left untreated, it can become life-threatening.

Treximet works by binding to serotonin receptors (chemical binding sites) in the brain. When you take it with other medications that affect serotonin levels, your risk of serotonin syndrome goes up. Examples of these medications are:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

• Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

• Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

A fast heart rate, sweating, and tremors are early symptoms of serotonin syndrome. Later, a high fever and confusion can occur. If you have any of these symptoms, get medical attention right away.

Good to know: Share your current medication list with your healthcare provider and pharmacist. That way, they can check for potential Treximet interactions ahead of time.

9. Heart attack or stroke risk

Treximet can increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Both sumatriptan and NSAIDs like naproxen can have this effect. And higher NSAID doses may further increase the risk. So try to limit taking other NSAIDs on top of Treximet.

Keep in mind that heart attack and stroke symptoms can overlap with some Treximet side effects and migraine symptoms. So it’s important to listen to your body and go to the emergency department if you experience any of the following:

• Severe pain in your chest, throat, neck, or face

• Shortness of breath

• Cold sweats

• Slurred speech or difficulty speaking

• Weakness on one side of your body

You shouldn’t take Treximet if you’ve previously had a heart attack or stroke. If you have heart disease risk factors, your healthcare provider will weigh the potential benefits and risks of Treximet when deciding whether to prescribe it to you.

10. Serious skin reactions

While rare, the naproxen in Treximet can cause serious skin reactions. Examples include Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS). These reactions need to be treated right away.

Watch for unusual flu-like symptoms followed by a skin rash when taking Treximet. If you notice any of these symptoms, stop taking the medication right away and get immediate medical treatment.

When should you contact your healthcare provider about Treximet side effects?

The most common Treximet side effects, like dizziness, drowsiness, and nausea, can be managed at home. But you should speak with your healthcare provider if you have side effects that are bothersome or don’t go away. Your provider can also talk to you about next steps if you need to take Treximet often or if your headaches become more frequent.

Serious Treximet side effects should be evaluated by a healthcare provider right away. Examples of serious side effects include ongoing or severe chest pain, serious skin reactions, and serotonin syndrome. Slurred speech, jaundice, and any symptoms that seem severe or life-threatening also warrant immediate medical care.

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Written by:

Brian Leonard, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP

Brian Leonard earned his doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Florida College of Pharmacy and is board certified in Ambulatory Care and Geriatric Pharmacy.

Edited by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

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