Generic Name: naratriptan (NAR a TRIP tan)
Brand Names: Amerge
What is Amerge (naratriptan)?
Naratriptan is a headache medicine that narrows blood vessels around the brain. Naratriptan also reduces substances in the body that can trigger headache pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other migraine symptoms.
Naratriptan is used to treat migraine headaches. Naratriptan will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.
Naratriptan should not be used to treat a common tension headache, a headache that causes loss of movement on one side of your body, or any headache that seems to be different from your usual migraine headaches. Use this medication only if your condition has been confirmed by a doctor as migraine headaches.
Naratriptan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Amerge (naratriptan)?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to naratriptan, if you have any history of heart disease, or if you have coronary heart disease, angina, blood circulation problems, lack of blood supply to the heart, uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe liver or kidney disease, ischemic bowel disease, a history of a heart attack or stroke, or if your headache seems to be different from your usual migraine headaches. Do not take naratriptan within 24 hours before or after using another migraine headache medicine, including almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex, Treximet), zolmitriptan (Zomig), or ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Migergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), or methylergonovine (Methergine).
Before taking naratriptan, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder, or coronary heart disease (or risk factors such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high cholesterol, having a family history of coronary artery disease, being older than 40 and a man, or being a woman who has had a hysterectomy).
Also tell your doctor if you are also taking an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor).
Naratriptan will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.
If your headache does not go away after taking a naratriptan tablet, or if the headache goes away and then comes back, call your doctor before taking a second tablet. You must wait at least four (4) hours after you have taken the first tablet before you take the second tablet. Do not take more than two (2) naratriptan tablets in 24 hours.
If your symptoms have not improved after taking 2 tablets in 24 hours, contact your doctor before taking any more tablets.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Amerge (naratriptan)?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to naratriptan, or if you have:
coronary heart disease, angina (chest pain), blood circulation problems, lack of blood supply to the heart;
a history of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke, including "mini-stroke";
severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
- severe liver disease;
- severe kidney disease;
ischemic bowel disease; or
a headache that seems different from your usual migraine headaches.
To make sure you can safely take naratriptan, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
- liver disease;
- kidney disease;
high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder; or
coronary heart disease (or risk factors such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high cholesterol, having a family history of coronary artery disease, being older than 40 and a man, or being a woman who has had a hysterectomy).
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether naratriptan will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
Your name may need to be listed on a naratriptan pregnancy registry when you start using this medication.
Naratriptan can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 18 or older than 65.
How should I use Amerge (naratriptan)?
Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Overuse of migraine headache medicine can actually make your headaches worse.
Take naratriptan as soon as you notice headache symptoms, or after an attack has already begun.
Your doctor may want to give your first dose of this medicine in a hospital or clinic setting to see if you have any serious side effects.
Take one naratriptan tablet whole with a full glass of water. After taking a tablet: If your headache does not go away completely, or if the headache goes away and then comes back, call your doctor before taking a second tablet. You must wait at least four (4) hours after you have taken the first tablet before you take the second tablet. Do not take more than two (2) naratriptan tablets in 24 hours.
If your symptoms have not improved after taking 2 tablets in 24 hours, contact your doctor before taking any more tablets.
Contact your doctor if you have more than four headaches in one month (30 days).
If you use naratriptan long-term, your doctor may want to check your heart function using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG), a machine that measures electrical activity of the heart. This will help your doctor determine if it is still safe for you to use this medication. Visit your doctor regularly.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since naratriptan is used as needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule. Call your doctor promptly if your symptoms do not improve after using naratriptan.
After taking a naratriptan tablet, you must wait four (4) hours before taking a second tablet. Do not take more than two (2) naratriptan tablets in 24 hours.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose could cause high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, or seizure).
What should I avoid while using Amerge (naratriptan)?
Do not take naratriptan within 24 hours before or after using another migraine headache medicine, including:
almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), sumatriptan (Imitrex, Treximet), or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or
ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Migergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), or methylergonovine (Methergine).
Amerge (naratriptan) side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using naratriptan and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
feeling of pain or tightness in your jaw, neck, or throat;
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
sudden and severe stomach pain and bloody diarrhea;
numbness or tingling and a pale or blue-colored appearance in your fingers or toes; or
(if you are also taking an antidepressant) -- agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting.
Less serious side effects may include:
pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body;
dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling; or
warmth, redness, or mild tingling under your skin.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Amerge (naratriptan)?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with naratriptan. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More Amerge resources
- Amerge Side Effects (in more detail)
- Amerge Dosage
- Amerge Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Amerge Drug Interactions
- Amerge Support Group
- 12 Reviews for Amerge - Add your own review/rating
- Amerge Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Amerge MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Amerge Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Amerge Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Naratriptan Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Naratriptan Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare Amerge with other medications
- Migraine
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about naratriptan.
See also: Amerge side effects (in more detail)
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