zolmitriptan

Very rarely, some people have had heart attacks within a few hours after taking zolmitriptan (Zomig). Heart attacks and chest pain (angina) during zolmitriptan (Zomig) treatment can happen even in people who don't have heart disease. If you’re at high risk for heart disease and have never taken a triptan before, your provider will make sure your heart is healthy before you start zolmitriptan (Zomig). Depending on your medical history, you might be asked to take your first dose at a provider's office so they can check to make sure your heart is okay. Your provider might also follow up with you periodically while you're using zolmitriptan (Zomig) to check your heart. If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, arm pain, or a cold sweat, get medical help right away. These can be symptoms of a heart attack.

Some people taking triptans like zolmitriptan (Zomig) have had life-threatening changes to their heart rhythm. In reported cases, this happened within a few hours after taking the medication. Don't use zolmitriptan (Zomig) if you have conditions that cause an irregular heart rhythm. If you feel your heart racing after you take zolmitriptan (Zomig), stop taking the medication and let your healthcare provider know right away.

Some people who've taken triptans like zolmitriptan (Zomig) have experienced life-threatening strokes or bleeding in the brain. Symptoms of a stroke include sudden weakness on one side of the body, bad headaches, drooping face, trouble breathing, or changes in your speech or vision. These symptoms can be similar to migraine symptoms, so strokes can be mistaken for a migraine. It's important that you're properly diagnosed with migraines before you start zolmitriptan (Zomig). It might help lower the risk of making this mistake. If you notice symptoms of a stroke, stop taking zolmitriptan (Zomig) and get medical help as soon as possible, especially if you haven't had a migraine before.

Zolmitriptan (Zomig) can cause the blood vessels in your body to spasm. This might prevent certain parts of your body from getting enough blood. For example, when the digestive system doesn't get enough blood, you might have stomach issues, like stomach pain or bloody diarrhea. Another blood circulation problem that might happen is Raynaud's syndrome. A common symptom of this condition is a tingling feeling or change in color in your fingers and toes caused by cold temperatures or emotional stress. Very rarely, blood vessel spasms might cause partial or complete vision loss. If you experience any of these symptoms, don't take another dose of zolmitriptan (Zomig) before speaking with your provider.

Triptans like zolmitriptan (Zomig) can raise the serotonin levels in your body. Although rare, this can cause serotonin syndrome, which is a potentially life-threatening condition that's caused by high serotonin levels in the body. The risk is higher if you’re also taking other medications that raise serotonin levels, such as certain antidepressants. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome can include a racing heart, high fever, sudden changes in thought or mood, movement problems, and hallucinations. These symptoms can appear within minutes to hours of starting a new or higher dose of a triptan or other serotonin-raising medication. Stop taking zolmitriptan (Zomig) if you notice these symptoms and talk to your provider.

Zolmitriptan (Zomig) can raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly while you're taking the medication. Though rare, some cases of high blood pressure have led to serious problems. Typically, you won't feel any symptoms if your blood pressure is high. But if it's dangerously high, you might have headache, trouble breathing, chest pain, changes in vision, and confusion. If you experience any of these symptoms, get medical help right away. Don’t take zolmitriptan (Zomig) if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure.