ALMOTRIPTAN MALATE (almotriptan malate)

There are 1 contraindications. These drug combinations generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient. A manufacturer label warning that indicates the contraindication warrants inclusion of a drug combination in this category, regardless of clinical evidence or lack of clinical evidence to support the contraindication.

Drug Interaction

Drug Names

5-HT1D Agonists/Ergot Alkaloids SEVERITY LEVEL: 1-Contraindicated Drug Combination: This drug combination is contraindicated and generally should not be dispensed or administered to the same patient. MECHANISM OF ACTION: The 5-HT1D agonists and ergot alkaloids can produce vasospastic reactions. CLINICAL EFFECTS: Concurrent therapy may produce additive vasospastic effects. PREDISPOSING FACTORS: None determined. PATIENT MANAGEMENT: The US manufacturer states that sumatriptan should not be used within 24 hours of an ergotamine-containing or ergotamine-like medication (such as dihydroergotamine or methysergide).(1,2) The Australian(3) and UK(4,5) manufacturers state that 24 hours should elapse before sumatriptan is administered following an ergotamine-containing preparation and 6 hours should elapse before an ergotamine-containing preparation is administered following sumatriptan. The US manufacturer states that zolmitriptan should not be used within 24 hours of an ergotamine-containing or ergotamine-like medication.(6) The UK manufacturer states that zolmitriptan should not be used within 6 hours of an ergotamine-containing or ergotamine-like medication.(7) The The Australian manufacturer states that 24 hours should elapse before zolmitriptan is administered following an ergotamine-containing preparation and 6 hours should elapse before an ergotamine-containing medication is administered following zolmitriptan.(8) The US manufacturer states that the use of rizatriptan within 24 hours of an ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medication is contraindicated.(9) The US manufacturer states that the use of naratriptan within 24 hours of an ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medication is contraindicated.(10) The Australian manufacturer states that concurrent use of naratriptan and ergotamine or ergotamine derivatives is not recommended.(11) The US manufacturer states that the use of eletriptan within 24 hours of an ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medication is contraindicated.(12) The UK manufacturer states that the use of eletriptan within 24 hours of an ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medication is not recommended.(13) DISCUSSION: Because of the theoretical risk of additive vasospastic effects, the US manufacturer states that the use of sumatriptan within 24 hours of an ergotamine-containing or ergotamine-like medication is contraindicated.(1,2) The Australian(3) and UK(4,5) manufacturer states that 24 hours should elapse before sumatriptan is administered following an ergotamine-containing preparation and 6 hours should elapse before an ergotamine-containing medication is administered following sumatriptan. Although the pharmacokinetics of zolmitriptan were not affected by ergotamine, the UK manufacturer of zolmitriptan recommends that 6 hours should elapse between the administration of zolmitriptan and an ergotamine preparation.(7) The US manufacturer of zolmitriptan states under contraindications that zolmitriptan should not be used within 24 hours of an ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medication.(6) The Australian manufacturer states that 24 hours should elapse before zolmitriptan is administered following an ergotamine-containing preparation and 6 hours should elapse before an ergotamine-containing medication is administered following zolmitriptan.(8) Because of the additive risk of prolonged vasospastic reactions, the manufacturers of rizatriptan(9) and naratriptan(10) in the US state that the use of ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medications and these agents is contraindicated. The Australian manufacturer states that concurrent use of naratriptan and ergotamine or ergotamine derivatives is not recommended.(11) Administration of oral ergotamine one and two hours after eletriptan resulted in additive increases in blood pressure.(13)

DIHYDROERGOTAMINE MESYLATE, ERGOLOID MESYLATES, ERGOMAR, ERGOTAMINE TARTRATE, ERGOTAMINE-CAFFEINE, METHYLERGONOVINE MALEATE, METHYSERGIDE MALEATE, MIGERGOT, MIGRANAL, TRUDHESA

Drug contraindication overview.

Known or suspected ischemic heart disease (e.g., angina pectoris, history of myocardial infarction, documented silent ischemia), coronary artery vasospasm (e.g., Prinzmetal variant angina), uncontrolled hypertension, or other serious underlying cardiovascular disease. Cerebrovascular syndromes (e.g., stroke of any type, transient ischemic attack), peripheral vascular disease, or ischemic bowel disease. Hemiplegic or basilar migraine.

Recent (i.e., 24 hours or less) treatment with another 5-HT1 receptor agonist or an ergotamine-containing or ergot-type drug. (See Drug Interactions.) Known hypersensitivity to almotriptan or any ingredient in the formulation.

Adverse reaction overview.

Nausea, paresthesia, and dry mouth are the most common adverse effects of almotriptan in adults. In adolescents, the most common adverse effects are dizziness, somnolence, headache, paresthesia, nausea, and vomiting.

Safety and efficacy of almotriptan have not been established in children younger than 12 years of age. Safety and tolerability of almotriptan in adolescents 12-17 years of age is similar to that in adults. Serious adverse events have been reported during postmarketing experience in a limited number of pediatric patients receiving 5-HT1 receptor agonists.

Contraindicated

None

Severe Precaution

None

Management or Monitoring Precaution

None