Zolmitriptan Side Effects
Applies to zolmitriptan: nasal spray. Other dosage forms:
Serious side effects of Zolmitriptan
Along with its needed effects, zolmitriptan may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking zolmitriptan:
Less common or rare
- Blurred vision
- cough
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness
- fainting
- fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- headache
- nervousness
- pounding in the ears
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- shortness of breath
- skin rash, hives, or itching
- tightness in the chest
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare
- Arm, back, or jaw pain
- chest pain or discomfort
- chest tightness or heaviness
- nausea
- pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
- sweating
Incidence not known
- Agitation
- bloody diarrhea
- confusion
- diarrhea
- fever
- overactive reflexes
- pain, pressure, or tightness in the chest, throat, neck, or jaw
- paleness or cold feeling in the fingertips and toes
- poor coordination
- restlessness
- severe stomach pain
- shivering
- talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
- tingling or pain in the fingers or toes when exposed to cold
- trembling or shaking
- twitching
Other side effects of Zolmitriptan
Some side effects of zolmitriptan may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
- change in taste
Less common
- Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- discomfort, irritation, or soreness in the nose
- dry mouth
- increased sensitivity to pain
- increased sensitivity to touch
- lack or loss of strength
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
Less common or rare
- Continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
- discouragement
- fear
- feeling sad or empty
- frequent urination
- hearing loss
- hyperventilation
- increased volume of pale, dilute urine
- irritability
- lack of appetite
- loss of interest or pleasure
- loss of memory
- problems with memory
- trouble concentrating
- trouble sleeping
Rare
- Burning, dry, or itching eyes
- convulsions
- discharge or excessive tearing
- redness, pain, or swelling of the eye, eyelid, or inner lining of the eyelid
- swelling or inflammation of the mouth
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to zolmitriptan: nasal spray, oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating.
Cardiovascular
Rare reports of serious cardiac adverse events have been reported including acute myocardial infarction within a few hours following administration of this drug.
Chest pain/tightness/pressure and/or heaviness appear to be dose-related occurring in 2%, 3%, and 4% of patients receiving 1 mg, 2.5 mg, and 5 mg, respectively. Neck/throat/jaw pain/tightness/pressure occurred in 4%, 7%, and 10% of patients, respectively.[Ref]
Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain/tightness/pressure and/or heaviness, neck/throat/jaw pain/tightness/pressure, palpitations
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arrhythmias, hypertension, syncope, tachycardia
Rare (less than 0.1%): Angina pectoris, myocardial infarct, coronary vasospasm, QT prolongation, thrombophlebitis[Ref]
Nervous system
Very Common (greater than 10%): Taste disturbances (up to 21%, inhaler)
Common (1% to 10%): Paresthesia, somnolence, dizziness, hyperesthesia
Rare (less than 0.1%): Cerebral ischemia, amnesia, convulsions, ataxia, dystonia, hyperkinesia, hypotonia, hypertonia
Frequency not reported: Serotonin syndrome[Ref]
Paresthesia appears to be a dose-related adverse event occurring in 5%, 7%, and 9% of patients receiving 1 mg, 2.5 mg, and 5 mg, respectively.[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Warm/cold sensation, heaviness other than chest or neck, pressure/tightness/heaviness, vertigo, asthenia, chills
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tinnitus, hyperacusis, ear pain[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, dry mouth, dysphagia, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, vomiting
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Gastroenteritis, increased thirst
Rare (less than 0.1%): Stomatitis, constipation, hematemesis, pancreatitis, melena, ulcer
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Bloody diarrhea, gastrointestinal infarction or necrosis, gastrointestinal ischemic events, ischemic colitis, splenic infarction[Ref]
General
The most common adverse reactions included neck, throat, jaw pain; dizziness; paresthesia; asthenia; somnolence; warm and cold sensation; nausea; heaviness sensation; and dry mouth. In adolescents treated with the nasal spray, the more commonly reported adverse reactions included dysgeusia, nasal discomfort, dizziness, oropharyngeal pain, and nausea.[Ref]
Hematologic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): ecchymosis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leucopenia[Ref]
Metabolic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased appetite, thirst
Rare (less than 0.1%): Anorexia, hyperglycemia[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, myalgia, muscle weakness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Back pain, leg cramps, tenosynovitis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Arthritis, tetanus, twitching[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Disorder/discomfort of nasal cavity, throat pain, throat tightness, oropharyngeal pain
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pharyngitis, rhinitis, dyspnea, sinusitis, bronchitis, increased cough, epistaxis, laryngeal edema, hiccup, laryngitis, yawn
Rare (less than 0.1%): Apnea, voice alteration[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Allergic reactions
Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema, anaphylactic reactions and anaphylactic shock[Ref]
Ocular
Rare (less than 0.1%): Diplopia, dry eyes, lacrimation, conjunctivitis, eye pain, visual field defect[Ref]
Genitourinary
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Polyuria, urinary urgency, cystitis, hematuria
Rare (less than 0.1%): Urinary frequency, miscarriage, dysmenorrhea[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Sweating, facial edema
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria, pruritus, rash, photosensitivity reaction
Rare (less than 0.1%): Angioedema[Ref]
Local
Common (1% to 10%): Local irritation or soreness at the site of administration of nasal spray
In clinical trials using the nasal spray approximately 3% (n=460) patients reported local irritation or soreness at the site of administration. Effects were severe in about 1% of patients and approximately 57% resolved in 1 hour. Nasopharyngeal examinations of a subset of patients failed to demonstrate any clinically significant changes with repeated use of the nasal spray.
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References
1. Product Information. Zomig (zolmitriptan). Astra-Zeneca Pharmaceuticals. 2001;PROD.
2. Alonso-Navarro H, Jimenez-Jimenez FJ. Myalgia and Cramps Associated With Zolmitriptan. Clin Neuropharmacol. 2005;28:241-242.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.