What Is Frovatriptan Used For?

Some people may wonder, "What is frovatriptan used for?" Frovatriptan is prescribed to relieve the symptoms of a migraine headache by helping the blood vessels in the head return to their normal state. Some symptoms of a migraine can include throbbing headache pain, unusual vision changes, and sensitivity to light or sound. One off-label frovatriptan use includes treating cluster headaches.

 

What Is Frovatriptan Used For?

Frovatriptan succinate (Frova®) is a prescription medication used to treat migraine headaches.
 

Using Frovatriptan 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 (seeing spots, tunnel vision, or other vision changes). Some people have migraine triggers, which can include certain foods, drinks, or situations that seem to lead to a migraine (see Migraine Diet for more information).
 
Frovatriptan is approved for migraines with or without an aura. The drug belongs to a class of migraine medications 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). Frovatriptan 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, frovatriptan is not used for migraine prevention. Frovatriptan is taken to lessen the pain and other symptoms of a migraine once it starts.
 
(What Is Frovatriptan 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;