Side Effects of Triptans (Cont.)

Serious Side Effects Seen With Triptans

There are a number of less common, but more serious side effects with triptans that you should report to your healthcare provider. These include, but are not limited to:
 
  • Severe chest pain or tightness (see Triptans and Heart Problems)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sudden severe abdominal pain (stomach pain)
  • Bloody diarrhea
  • Changes in vision, including loss of vision
  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
  • Signs of an allergic reaction, including unexplained skin rashes, itching, hives, wheezing or shortness of breath, and unexplained swelling.
     

Side Effects of Triptans: A Summary

You may experience some or none of the triptan side effects explained above. Unfortunately, there is no way for your healthcare provider to know beforehand if you will have side effects from a medicine that you have never tried. Therefore, be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you develop any side effects or if something "just does not seem right." While it may not be a triptan side effect, your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose and treat the problem.
 
You can also read about specific side effects for each individual triptan by going to the specific drug within eMedTV or clicking on any of the following links:
 

Pages:

Previous 1 2

Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;