What Is Almotriptan Used For?

Some people may wonder, "What is almotriptan used for?" Almotriptan may be prescribed to adults in order to relieve the symptoms of a migraine headache as it occurs. However, the medication is not designed to prevent migraines from occurring. One off-label almotriptan use is the treatment of cluster headaches. Almotriptan has not been approved for use in people less than 18 years of age.

 

What Is Almotriptan Used For?

Almotriptan maleate (Axert®) is a prescription medication used to treat migraine headaches.
 

Using Almotriptan for Migraines

Migraine headaches are different from other headaches in many ways. Some of the most common migraine symptoms include:
 
  • Headache pain on one side of the head
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Throbbing headache pain
  • Upset stomach (nausea) and vomiting
  • Unusual vision changes.
     
Some people may have an aura before their migraines occur. An aura can be any unusual sign that a migraine is about to happen, including vision changes, numbness, tingling, or speech changes. The most common type of an aura is visual (such as seeing spots, tunnel vision, or other vision changes). Some people have migraine triggers, which are certain foods, drinks, or situations that seem to lead to a migraine (see Migraine Diet for more information).
 
Almotriptan is approved to treat migraines with or without an aura. The medication is part of a class of migraine drugs called 5-HT agonists (or more commonly known as "triptans"). During a migraine headache, some of the blood vessels in the head become dilated (wider than they usually are). Almotriptan works by narrowing these blood vessels, helping them return to their normal state. This action helps to relieve the symptoms of a migraine.
 
Due to the way it works, almotriptan is not used for migraine prevention. Almotriptan is taken to lessen the pain and other symptoms of a migraine once it starts.
 
(What Is Almotriptan Used For? Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;