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Nat-Zolmitriptan: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

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Prescription (Rx)
Strength:
2.5 mg
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Source: Health Canada – Drug Product Database (DPD) and product monographs · About this document

Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Nat-Zolmitriptan

What is NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN used for?

NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN are used in adults to relieve migraine headache and other associated symptoms of a migraine attack.

NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN should not be used to prevent or reduce the number of attacks you experience. Only use NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN to treat an actual migraine headache attack.

How does NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN work?

Migraine headache is believed to be caused by a widening of the blood vessels in the head. NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN narrows these vessels and relieves the pain and other symptoms of migraine headache.

What are the ingredients in NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN?

Medicinal ingredients: zolmitriptan.

Non-medicinal ingredients: anhydrous lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium starch glycolate. Film Coating: hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide, and yellow iron oxide.

NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN come in the following dosage forms:

NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN: tablets, 2.5 mg.

Serious Warnings and Precautions

  • Risk of Heart Attack: Serious heart events including heart attack have been reported within a few hours of starting treatment with NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN. Do NOT use this medication if you have any form of coronary artery disease.
  • Heart Rhythm Problems: Life-threatening instances of heart rhythm disturbances have been reported within a few hours of starting treatment with NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN. This can be fatal.
  • Chest Pain: NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN may cause chest pain, even in patients without a history of coronary artery disease.
  • Risk of Stroke: Bleeding in the brain and stroke have been reported in patients taking medications like NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN. These conditions can be fatal.

If you think you are experiencing any of the above, contact your healthcare professional or get immediate medical help.

Do not use NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN if:

  • you are allergic to zolmitriptan or any of the other ingredients in NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN (see “What are the ingredients in NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN?”)
  • you have a history, or any signs or symptoms of a heart problem or condition
  • you have ever had a heart attack or stroke
  • you suffer from chest pain, occurring either on exertion or at rest
  • you have severe or uncontrolled hypertension
  • you are taking or have recently taken (within the last 24 hours) an ergotamine containing or ergot-like drug, or another triptan used to treat migraines
  • you are taking or have recently taken (within 2 weeks) a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)

  • you have another type of headache, that is different from a migraine attack (if you are not sure, ask your healthcare professional. These include:

    • Hemiplegic migraines: these are migraine headaches where you have weakness on one side of your body.
    • Basilar migraines: these are migraine headaches that start in the lower part of the brain.
    • Ophthalmoplegic migraines: these are migraine headaches where you have pain around the eyes.

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

  • have any liver problems

  • are at risk of developing heart disease, risk factors include if you:

    • have high blood pressure
    • have high cholesterol
    • are obese
    • have diabetes
    • have a family history of heart disease
    • are a smoker
    • are a postmenopausal female
    • are a male over 40 years of age
  • have a condition called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
  • have any other allergies or sensitivities
  • have a history of epilepsy or structural brain lesions
  • have a history of drug use

  • are pregnant, think you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant

  • are breastfeeding, or plan to breastfeed
  • are over 65 years of age
  • have a rare hereditary galactose intolerance such as Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption, because NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN tablets contain lactose

Other warnings you should know about:

Driving and Using Machines: NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN can cause sedation. Avoid driving or using machines until you know how the medication affects you.

Overuse of NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN: As with other migraine treatments, using too much NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN can cause daily headaches or make your migraine headaches worse. Ask your healthcare professional if you think this is the case for you. You may need to stop using NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN to correct the problem.

Risk of Eye Problems: Long-term use of NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN may cause eye problems. If you develop any problems with your eyes, tell your healthcare professional right away.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

Serious Drug Interactions

Do NOT take NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN if you are taking or have taken:

  • In the last 24 hours, any medications that contain ergotamine (such as dihydroergotamine, methysergide).
  • In the last 24 hours, other medications like NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN (such as sumatriptan, naratriptan, almotriptan, rizatriptan or eletriptan).
  • Within the last 2 weeks, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (such as phenelzine sulfate, tranylcypromine sulfate, moclobemide).
  • Any selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s) such as fluoxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, or any serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as venlafaxine hydrochloride. These medications are often used in the treatment of depression.

The following may interact with NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN:

  • medicines used to treat upset stomach or stomach ulcers (such as cimetidine)
  • antibiotics from the quinolone family (such as ciprofloxacin)
  • oral contraceptives
  • propranolol, a beta blocker used to treat heart rhythm problems
  • smoking or tobacco

  • alcohol

  • excessive amounts of green tea or green tea extract
  • herbal remedies containing St John’s wort

How to take NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN:

  • Take NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN exactly as your healthcare professional has told you to.

Usual dose:

  • The usual starting dose is 2.5 mg at the first sign of a migraine attack.
  • Swallow the tablet with water.
  • If your healthcare professional has recommended a smaller dose for you, the tablet can be broken in half.

If your headache returns and it has been at least 2 hours since you took your first dose, you may take a second dose. The maximum dose is 10 mg in any 24 hour period. If your first dose did not relieve your migraine headache, do not take a second dose without talking to your healthcare professional first.

Overdose:

If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

What are possible side effects from using NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN?

These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.

  • feeling sick
  • vomiting
  • dizziness
  • tiredness
  • weakness
  • muscle aches and pains
  • difficulty swallowing
  • dry mouth
  • headache
  • stomach pain
  • increase in the production of urine or in the frequency of urination
Serious side effects and what to do about them
Symptom / effectTalk to your healthcare professionalStop taking drug and get immediate medical help
Only if severeIn all cases
COMMON
Irregular heart beat✓
Sensations of pain, pressure or tightness in the chest, neck, throat, jaw, arms, or legs✓
Sensations of tingling, heat, heaviness or pressure✓
Serious side effects and what to do about them
Symptom / effectTalk to your healthcare professionalStop taking drug and get immediate medical help
Only if severeIn all cases
UNCOMMON
Fast heart rate✓
Temporary increase in blood pressure✓
RARE
Allergic reaction: shortness of breath, sudden wheeziness, chest tightness, swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, mouth, tongue or neck, lumpy skin rash, or hives✓
VERY RARE
Sudden or severe abdominal pain or bloody diarrhea✓
Symptoms of a heart attack: chest pain, sweating, shortness of breath✓
UNKNOWN FREQUENCY
Serotonin toxicity: a reaction which may cause feelings of agitation or restlessness, flushing, muscle twitching, involuntary eye movements, heavy sweating, high body temperature (>38 °C), or rigid muscles.✓

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.

Reporting Side Effects

You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:

  • Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect-canada/adverse-reaction-reporting.html) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
  • Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.

NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

Storage:

Store between 15°C and 25°C.

Do not take your medication after the expiry date on the package and blister foil. If you have any leftover medication that you do not need or is expired, return the tablets to your pharmacist for disposal.

Keep out of reach and sight of children.

If you want more information about NAT-ZOLMITRIPTAN:

  • Talk to your healthcare professional
  • Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html; the manufacturer’s website www.natcopharma.ca, or by calling 1 800-296-9329.

Last Revised: DEC 20, 2024

About this document

Source: Health Canada – Drug Product Database (DPD) and product monographs · DIN (Drug Identification Number): 02421534

Revision date stated in the text: December 20, 2024

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The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Drug information for Nat-Zolmitriptan

Rx or OTC
Prescription (Rx)?
DIN 02421534
Schedule(s) PRESCRIPTION
Active ingredient(s) Zolmitriptan 2.5 MG
Dosage form(s) Tablet
Route(s) of administration Oral
Drug class (WHO ATC)
  1. N Nervous system drugs
    1. N02 Analgesics
      1. N02C Antimigraine preparations
        1. N02CC Selective serotonin (5HT1) agonists, antimigraine drugs
          1. N02CC03 Zolmitriptan
Company NATCO PHARMA (CANADA) INC
Current status Marketed
Current status date July 13, 2015

Source: Health Canada – Drug Product Database (DPD) and product monographs, data as of November 1, 2026. Data from the Health Canada Drug Product Database, as published there. Not a substitute for the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.