What is Axert used for?
Axert is used to treat migraine attacks in
adults. Axert is in a class of drugs called selective
serotonin receptor agonists. Axert is not used for
preventing migraines.
Take Axert only for a migraine attack. Do not
use Axert to treat headaches that might be caused
by other conditions. Tell your doctor about your
symptoms. Your doctor will decide if you have migraine.
Who should not take Axert?
Do not take Axert if you:
- have ever had heart disease./li>
- have uncontrolled high blood pressure.
- have hemiplegic or basilar migraine. If
you are not sure, ask your doctor.
- have taken another serotonin receptor agonist
medication in the last 24 hours. These include
naratriptan (AMERGE™), rizatriptan (MAXALT™),
sumatriptan (IMITREX™), or zolmitriptan (ZOMIG™).
- have taken ergotamine-type medicines in
the last 24 hours. These include ergotamine (BELLERGAL-S™,
CAFERGOT™, ERGOMAR™, WIGRAINE™),
dihydro-ergotamine (D.H.E. 45™), or methysergide
(SANSERT™).
General Precautions:
Check with your doctor before you take any
new medicines, including prescription and non-prescription
medicines and supplements. There are some medicines
that you should not take during the period 24 hours
before and 24 hours after taking Axert. Some of them
are listed in the section "Who should not take
Axert?"
What should I tell my doctor or health care provider?
Tell your health care provider:
- if you take monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors,
such as phenelzine sulfate (NARDIL™) or tranylcypromine
sulfate (PARNATE™) for depression or another
condition, or if it has been less than two weeks
since you stopped taking a MAO inhibitor.
- if you take ketoconazole (NIZORAL™),
itraconazole (SPORANOX™), ritonavir (NORVIR™),
or erythromycin (EMYCIN™), or if it has been
less than one week since you stopped taking one
of these drugs.
- about any other medicines you may be taking,
including non-prescription medicines.
- if you smoke cigarettes
These medicines may affect how Axert works.
Also Axert may affect how these medicines work.
To help your doctor decide if Axert is right
for your or if you need to be checked while taking
Axert, tell your doctor if you ever had or have:
- high blood pressure, chest pain, shortness
of breath, or heart disease
- family members with heart disease
- liver or kidney problems
- diabetes
- high cholesterol
- plans to become pregnant, or if you are
pregnant, might be pregnant, or do not use effective
birth control
- plans to breast-feed, or if you are already
breast-feeding a baby
What are some possible side effects of Axert?
(This
is NOT a complete list of side effects
reported with Axert. Your health care provider can
discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)
Axert is generally well tolerated. The side
effects are usually mild and do not last long.
The most common side effects are:
- Nausea
- Sleepiness
- Tingling or burning feeling
- Headache
- Dry mouth
For more detailed information about Axert, ask your
health care provider.
Posted 7/31/01
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