Naratriptan

Naratriptan is a treatment for migraine headaches with or without aura.

Can I buy Naratriptan online?

The Online Clinic can prescribe Naramig (naratriptan) online for migraine. Please complete a consultation form online to begin the process. You will be assessed by a GP before being allowed to buy this medication online for next day.

What is Naratriptan?

Naratriptan belongs to the group of medicines called 5HT1-receptor agonists, often referred to as ‘triptans’.

Migraine headaches are very severe, painful headaches that are usually one-sided. People can experience migraine either with or without aura. Aura are warnings occurring before the migraine that commonly include visual disturbances (e.g., zigzag lines, flashing lights, and blind spots). Migraine is thought to be caused by changes in the brain’s activity, resulting in alterations in nerve signalling, natural chemicals, and blood vessels within the brain.

Naratriptan attaches to and activates receptors of a natural chemical normally occuring in the brain called 5HT or serotonin. This action leads to the contraction of blood vessels, and possibly also to the inhibition of nerve activity, within the brain, resulting in the medicines antimigraine effects.

How to use Naratriptan

Naratriptan is a tablet containing 2.5 mg of the active component Naratriptan. Swallow the tablet whole with water. It does not have to be taken with food. Your doctor will explain exactly when and how much Naratriptan to take, as well as how long you should use this medicine. Your dose regimen must not be altered without a doctor’s advice.

Naratriptan should be used as soon as you think you will have a migraine attack. The tablets can also be taken during the migraine attack, but should never be used to prevent an attack. Length of treatment is determined by the severity of your migraine condition and your response to Naratriptan (note that some types of migraine do not respond to Naratriptan treatment). The usual dose of Naratriptan is 2.5mg (one tablet); more than two 2.5mg tablets (5 mg) must not be taken in one day. If Naratriptan provides symptom relief but the symptoms begin to come back, then another 2.5mg tablet may be taken 4 hours after the first tablet. However, if the first tablet does not provide relief from symptoms, then a second tablet must not be taken for the same attack. Get advice from a doctor. People with mild or moderate kidney or liver problems must only take a reduced dose of one 2.5 mg tablet per day.

Medical advice must be sought immediately if you have taken too much Naratriptan or a child has swallowed a tablet. Side effects may occur and these will be treated according to the symptoms. Your migraine attacks may worsen if you stop using this medicine without consulting a doctor.

Who can use Naratriptan?

Adults aged 18–65 years can use Naratriptan. This medicine is not recommended for children, adolescents, or older people aged over 65 years.

Naratriptan tablets must not be used by people with an allergy to Naratriptan or any one of the ingredients in this medicine. One of the ingredients is lactose, which may be a problem for people with sugar intolerance who should discuss this with a doctor. The tablets should also not be taken if you have or have had heart problems (e.g., a heart attack narrowing arteries, or chest pain) or symptoms (e.g., shortness of breath); had peripheral blood vessel disease; high blood pressure; a stroke or a mini stroke or severe kidney or liver disease. People who are at risk of heart disease (i.e., heavy smokers, use nicotine replacement therapy; post-menopausal women and men aged over 40 years) should take particular care before taking Naratriptan by having the doctor check their heart function. If you experience chest pain or tightness then also take extra care.

All medicines (either obtained with or without a prescription) that you take or have recently taken must be mentioned to your doctor before starting Naratriptan. These specifically include other antimigraine medicines (such as other ‘triptans’ or ergotamine), antidepressants (including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), and St John’s Wort. Additionally, mention if you have an allergy to sulphonamide antibiotics as this may mean you are also allergic to Naratriptan.

If pregnant or intending to become pregnant, you may be advised by your doctor not to use Naratriptan because the effect on the unborn baby is unknown. If breastfeeding, do not breastfeed for 24 hours after using Naratriptan because it is not known if this medicine is found in breastmilk.

Naratriptan side effects

Stop Naratriptan treatment and see a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic reaction, indicated by symptoms such as breathing problems, wheeze, skin rash, and swelling of the face, eyelids or throat.

Commonly, people report feeling or being sick, drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, tingling sensations, hot flushes, and feeling generally unwell. If you become drowsy then do not operate machines or drive. Less frequent side effects include changes in heartbeat; small, increases in blood pressure lasting up to a day after taking the tablets; pain, pressure, heaviness, or tightness in the chest or elsewhere in the body; and visual disturbances. Stomach pain, bloody diarrhoea, rash, and facial swelling are rarely reported, while very rarely people have chest pain, narrowing of the artery to the heart, heart attack, and discomfort in the limbs caused by poor blood circulation.

Like all pain killers, Naratriptan may worsen migraine if taken too frequently for long period of time.