Types of Triptan Meds

Triptan medications, also called 5-HT agonists, belong to the class of tryptamine-based drugs used to treat cluster and migraine headaches. Triptans work by narrowing dilated blood vessels in the head, which helps to ease headache pain, nausea and light sensitivity. While Triptan medications effectively treat occurring headaches, they do not prevent headaches. Commonly prescribed Triptan meds include sumatriptan, eletriptan, zolmitriptan, naratriptan and rizatriptan.

Sumatriptan

• Sumatriptan medications are available under the brand names Imitrex, Migriptan, Imigran, Illument and Cinie. Sumatriptans are frequently prescribed in injection form to treat the symptoms of cluster headaches and in tablet form to treat migraine headaches both with and without auras. Common side effects include weakness, sweating, dizziness, abdominal pain, high blood pressure and pain or tightness in the throat or chest. Sumatriptans should not be combined with antidepressants that affect serotonin levels.

Eletriptan

• Eletriptan medications, offered under the brand name Relpax, are typically prescribed to migraine patients who suffer from light sensitivity and nausea. Eletriptan should be taken at the first sign of a migraine attack. Side effects often include nausea, fatigue, dizziness, weakness and tightness or pain in the throat or chest. This medication should not be taken with drugs that contain ergot because the combination could cause a severe constriction of blood vessels.

Zolmitriptan

• Zolmitriptan medications are offered under the brand name Zomig. This Triptan medication is frequently prescribed to migraine sufferers who also experience nausea and light sensitivity. Side effects may include sweating, abdominal discomfort, dizziness, weakness, tingling sensations and flushing. Zolmitriptan and SSRIs should not be taken together or they might cause unusual weakness and a loss of coordination. Taking Tagamet in combination with zolmitriptan can double the amount of zolmitriptan in the blood and lead to zolmitriptan toxicity.

Rizatriptan

• Rizatriptans are available in tablet form under the brand name Maxalt. This type of Triptan medication is prescribed to treat acute migraines. The most common side effects include nausea, dry mouth, dizziness and drowsiness. Other side effects include chest pain, mental and mood changes, unusual weakness and jaw or neck pain. Rizatriptans sometimes cause vision changes, fainting, irregular heartbeat, bloody diarrhea and unsteadiness or unusual weakness.

Naratriptan

• Naratriptin medications, offered under the brand names Amerge and Naramig, are oral tablets used to treat acute migraine headaches. Typical side effects include unsteadiness, dry mouth, nausea, unusual fatigue, drowsiness, dizziness and tingling sensations in the extremities. Individuals should contact their doctors immediately if they begin feeling muscle weakness on one side of the body, chest pain, throat pain or an unusually slow, fast or irregular heartbeat. This type of Triptin medication shouldn't be used to treat non-migraine headaches.