Triptans

Triptans are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of acute migraine attacks and are the most useful class of abortive agents. The subcutaneous injection form of sumatriptan (Imitrex) has also been used successfully for the treatment of cluster headache attacks. Triptans are taken when a headache starts, to stop the process that causes the headache. They work by reducing the size of enlarged blood vessels in your head. Options include zomitriptan (Zomig), naratriptan (Amerge), sumatriptan (Imitrex), rizatriptan (Maxalt), almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), and frovatriptan (Frova).

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Triptans come in several forms: tablet, nasal spray, and injection. Your doctor will decide what dose to give you and will tell you how many doses you can safely take in one 24-hour period. Do not take more than your doctor says is safe. You may find that your headache worsens briefly before the pain is relieved. If you are treating more than two headaches per week with a triptan, call your doctor.

You should not use triptans if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, a history of heart attack, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease, liver or kidney dysfunction, or if you are pregnant.

Common side effect include:

• A feeling of pain or tightness in the chest or throat
• A general feeling of warmth or flushing
• A feeling of heaviness in the extremities, especially the arms
• A tingling or burning sensation in the neck, head, or face
• Dizziness or lightheadness