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Brand Names: Amerge

Generic Name: naratriptan (Pronunciation: NAR a TRIP tan)

• What is naratriptan (Amerge)?
• What are the possible side effects of naratriptan (Amerge)?
• What is the most important information I should know about naratriptan (Amerge)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using naratriptan (Amerge)?
• How should I use naratriptan (Amerge)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Amerge)?
• What happens if I overdose (Amerge)?
• What should I avoid while using naratriptan (Amerge)?
• What other drugs will affect naratriptan (Amerge)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is naratriptan (Amerge)?

Naratriptan is a headache medicine. It is believed to work by narrowing the 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 common tension headaches 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 other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of naratriptan (Amerge)?

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 any of these serious side effects:

• 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, high fever, sweating, fast or pounding heartbeats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of balance or coordination, overactive reflexes, hallucinations, fainting.

Less serious side effects may include:

• dry mouth, mild nausea;
• feeling of pain or tightness in your jaw, neck, or throat;
• 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 is the most important information I should know about naratriptan (Amerge)?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to naratriptan, or if you have a history of heart disease, heart attack or stroke, angina (chest pain), blood circulation problems, ischemic bowel disease, severe liver or kidney disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or a headache that is not like other headaches you have had.

Do not use 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 dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine), ergonovine (Ergotrate), methylergonovine (Methergine), or methysergide (Sansert).

Before taking naratriptan, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder, coronary artery disease, or risk factors for coronary artery disease (such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high blood pressure or 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).

Before taking naratriptan, tell your doctor if you are also taking an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), 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.