Almotan 12.5mg (Almotriptan) Tablets

Almotan general information

What is Almotan used for?

Almotan tablets 12.5mg are used to treat the headache phase of acute migraine attacks with or without aura, which is the perception of visual disturbances and/or smells and are usually the first sign that a migraine headache is on its way.  Almotan tablets 12.5mg should only be used for treatment of a migraine attack to relieve headache and other symptoms, including nausea and sensitivity to light, but they should not be used to prevent migraine headaches from occurring.  You can use Almotan tablets 12.5mg at any stage of a migraine attack but it is more effective if taken as soon as possible after the first signs of headache and/or aura.  Almotan tablets 12.5mg are not intended for the treatment of other types of headache, such as cluster headache, which is a very painful type of headache that occurs in regular cycles or clusters, interspersed with periods of remission.  Almotan 12.5 is not intended for the management of haemiplegic migraine, which can also cause temporary weakness of one side of the body and paralysis; or basilar migraine, which is another form of migraine and is caused by an arterial spasm at the base of the brain restricting blood flow to the brain.

How does Almotan work?

Almotan tablets 12.5mg contain almotriptan, which is a member of the group of drugs called tryptans and is a serotonin agonist that mimics the action of serotonin (also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT).  Serotonin is a brain chemical that is involved in control of mood, pain sensation, sexual behaviour, sleep, as well as dilation (widening) and constriction (narrowing) of blood vessels.  Migraine is thought to be caused by dilatation or widening of blood vessels in the head due to one of many migraine triggers, which in turn stimulates nearby sensory nerves so that you feel pain.  Almotriptan in Almotan tablets 12.5mg stimulates the serotonin receptors (5-HT1) in these expanded blood vessels making them narrow again (vasoconstriction) and inhibits trigeminal nerve activity, relieving pain.  Both actions are thought to contribute to the anti-migraine action of almotriptan and relieve headache and other symptoms of a migraine attack. 

What does Almotan contain?

Almotan tablets contain the active ingredient almotriptan (12.5mg), a serotonin agonist used to relieve symptoms of a migraine attack. 

Treating migraine headache with Almotan

Almotan tablets 12.5mg contain almotriptan, which is a serotonin agonist that mimics the action of serotonin.  They are used to relieve acute migraine attacks with or without aura, which is the perception of visual disturbances and/or smells called and are usually the first sign that a migraine headache is on its way.  Migraine is thought to be caused by dilatation or widening of blood vessels in the head due to one of many migraine triggers, which in turn stimulates nearby sensory nerves so that you feel pain.  Almotriptan in Almotan tablets 12.5mg stimulates the serotonin receptors (5-HT1) in these expanded blood vessels making them narrow again (vasoconstriction) and inhibits trigeminal nerve activity, relieving pain.  Both actions are thought to contribute to the anti-migraine action of Almotriptan in Almotan 5 to relieve headache and other symptoms of a migraine attack.  Almotan tablets 12.5mg relieve the headache and other symptoms of migraine, including nausea and sensitivity to light.  

What are the side effects of Almotan?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Almotan tablets 12.5mg include, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dyspepsia, dry mouth, fatigue, sensory disturbance including, tingling, pricking, or numbness of the skin (paraesthesia), shortness of breath,  muscle and bone pain.

When should Almotan not be used?

You should not use Almotan tablets 12.5mg if you:

• are allergic to almotriptan or any other triptan or any ingredients in Almotan
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding, without discussion with your doctor
• have had myocardial infarction or have ischaemic heart disease, coronary vasospasm (Prinzmetal's angina), peripheral vascular disease, or a history of cerebovascular accident (CVA) or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• have liver disease or uncontrolled hypertension
• have basilar or haemiplegic migraine
• are using medicines that interact with Almotan, including: ergotamine or derivatives of ergotamine (including methysergide), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), St John's Wort 

What medications interact with Almotan?

Several medications interact with Almotan tablets 12.5mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Almotan or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Ergot derivatives including methysergide (also for migraine headaches) should not be taken 24 hours before to 6 hours after dose of Almotan
• MAOI antidepressants should not be taken within 14 days of Almotan
• Other triptan serotonin agonist like sumatriptan
• Other serotonin agonist antidepressants like SSRIs; SNRIs

How should Almotan be taken?

You can take your Almotan tablets 12.5mg at any stage of a migraine attack but it is more effective if taken as soon as possible after the first signs of headache and/or aura.  You should take one tablet as with a glass of water, with or without food.  You should not take another dose of Almotan tablets 12.5mg for the same migraine, but you can take another dose if you have another migraine attack in the next 24 hours, provided you do not take more than two tablets in a 24 hour period. 

How should Almotan be stored?

You should store your Almotan below 25°C in a cool dry place.