home > drugs a-z list > zomig (zolmitriptan) drug center > zomig (zolmitriptan) drug - consumer side effects and precautions

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: blue fingers/toes/nails, cold feeling in the hands/feet.

Pain/pressure/tightness in the chest/neck/jaw can occur shortly after using zolmitriptan. These side effects are usually not serious. However, you may not be able to tell them apart from a rare but very serious reaction related to a lack of blood flow to the heart, brain, or other parts of the body. Therefore, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of these unlikely side effects: chest/jaw/left arm pain, fainting, irregular/pounding heartbeat, vision changes, severe nausea, weakness on one side of the body, confusion, seizures, slurred speech, sudden or severe stomach/abdominal pain, trouble swallowing, bloody diarrhea.

This medication may rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome. The risk increases when this medication is used with certain other drugs such as other "triptans" used to treat migraine headaches (e.g., sumatriptan, eletriptan), certain antidepressants including SSRIs (e.g., citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine) and NSRIs (e.g., duloxetine, venlafaxine), or a certain drug to treat obesity (sibutramine). Before taking this drug, tell your doctor if you take any of these medications. Serotonin syndrome may be more likely when you start or increase the dose of any of these medications. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop some of the following symptoms: hallucinations, unusual restlessness, loss of coordination, fast heartbeat, severe dizziness, high fever, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitchy muscles.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS: See also How to Use section.

Before taking zolmitriptan, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other "triptan" migraine drugs; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: heart disease (e.g., chest pain, heart attack, irregular heartbeat, coronary artery disease, vasospasm), blood flow problems in the brain (e.g., stroke, transient ischemic attack), blood vessel disease (e.g., peripheral vascular disease, ischemic bowel disease), uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension), certain types of headaches (hemiplegic or basilar migraine), severe liver disease.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: blood circulation disorder (e.g., Raynaud's disease), kidney disease.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any condition that increases your risk of heart disease, including: high cholesterol level, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking history, family history of heart disease or stroke, overweight, female after menopause, male older than 40 years.

If you are at high risk for heart disease, your doctor may want to check your heart before prescribing zolmitriptan.

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.