Amerge
This page contains drug information on Amerge.
The information provided includes the following:
what is Amerge
the possible side effects of Amerge
what happens if you miss a dose of Amerge
what happens if you overdose with Amerge
the most important information about Amerge
how to use Amerge
other drugs that may affect Amerge
what to avoid while using Amerge
 
Generic Name: naratriptan (NAIR uh trip tin)
Brand Names: Amerge
 
What is the most important information I should know about amerge?
 •  Do not take amerge if the headache you are experiencing is not like other migraines that you have had.
 •  Do not take this medication if you have angina (chest pain) or if you have had a heart attack.
 •  Never take more of this medication than is prescribed by your doctor. If your symptoms are not being treated, contact your doctor.

What is amerge?
 •  amerge is a headache medicine. It is believed to work by causing vasoconstriction (narrowing) of arteries and veins that supply blood to the head.
 •  amerge is used to treat vascular headaches such as migraine headaches.
 •  amerge may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amerge?
 •  Do not take amerge if you
      · have basilar or hemiplegic migraine headaches
      · have had a heart attack, have angina (chest pain), or have another type of heart disease
      · have had a stroke
      · have ischemic bowel disease or Raynauds syndrome
      · are experiencing a headache that is not like other migraines that you have had
      · have taken another 5-HT agonist within the last 24 hours-other 5-HT agonists include almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), zolmitriptan (Zomig, Zomig-ZMT), and rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT) or
      · have taken an ergot-based medication within the last 24 hoursergot-based medicines include methysergide (Sansert), ergotamine (Ergostat, Ergomar), dihydroergotamine mesylate (D.H.E., Migranal Nasal Spray), and ergotamine combination products (Cafergot, Wigraine, Cafatine-PB, and others).
 •  Taking amerge may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions or take any of the medications listed above.
 •  Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
      · have risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, a family history of heart disease, high cholesterol (a type of fat in the blood), are overweight, diabetes, smoke cigarettes, are postmenopausal, are male and over 40 years of age
      · have kidney disease or
      · have seizures or epilepsy.
 •  You may not be able to take amerge, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
 •  amerge is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether amerge will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
 •  It is not known whether amerge passes into breast milk. Do not take amerge without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
 •  amerge is not approved for use by children younger than 18 years of age.
 •  If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from amerge. You may not be able to take this medication.

How should I take amerge?
 •  Take amerge tablets exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
 •  Take each dose with a full glass of water.
 •  amerge may be taken with or without food.
 •  Take one tablet as soon as you notice symptoms of a migraine, or at any time during an attack.
 •  If your symptoms do not improve, call your doctor before taking any more doses of amerge.
 •  If your symptoms improve only partially, or if they go away and then return, you can take another dose of amerge unless your doctor directs otherwise. The second dose may be taken 4 hours or more after the first one. Never take more than 5 mg (2 tablets) in any 24-hour period.
 •  Store amerge at room temperature away from moisture, heat, light, and the reach of children. Throw away any unused medicine on the expiration date.

What happens if I miss a dose?
 •  Since amerge is taken to treat migraine headaches as they occur and not to prevent them, missing a dose is usually not a problem. Take only the doses needed, according to your doctors instructions.

What happens if I overdose?
 •  Seek emergency medical attention.
 •  Symptoms of a amerge overdose may include lightheadedness tension in the neck tiredness poor coordination and chest pain.

What should I avoid while taking amerge?
 •  Do not take amerge if the headache you are experiencing is not like other migraines that you have had.
 •  Never take more of this medication than is prescribed by your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of amerge?
 •  If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking amerge and seek emergency medical attention:
      · an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing closing of the throat swelling of the lips, tongue, or face or hives) or
      · chest pain, tightness, pressure, and/ or heaviness
      · neck, throat, or jaw pain, tightness, or pressure or
      · an irregular heartbeat.
 •  Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take amerge and talk to your doctor if you experience
      · nausea or vomiting
      · drowsiness or dizziness or
      · numbness, tingling, flushing, warmth, redness, or heaviness in a body part.
 •  Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect amerge?
 •  Do not take amerge if you have taken
      · another 5-HT agonist in the last 24 hours-5-HT agonists include almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), and zolmitriptan (Zomig) or
      · an ergot-based medication within the last 24 hoursergot-based medicines include methysergide (Sansert), ergotamine (Ergostat, Ergomar), dihydroergotamine mesylate (D.H.E., Migranal Nasal Spray), and ergotamine combination products (Cafergot, Wigraine, Cafatine-PB, and others).
 •  amerge may be dangerous if it is taken with any of the drugs listed above.
 •  Before taking amerge, tell your doctor if you are taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or citalopram (Celexa). You may not be able to take amerge, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
 •  Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with amerge. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.