Zolmitriptan and Nausea: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• February 20, 2016

Zolmitriptan for Migraine "I have been taking Zomig for a couple of years. It definitely takes my migraines away, but my skin and muscles hurt every time. I have to plan showering around it. Today, I had a very bad reaction after going on a very brisk 2-mile walk. My face and skin were flushed, nauseous, and hypersensitive to light. Migraine came back with a vengeance. Felt somewhat like heat stroke, which isn't possible as it's 70 degrees. Almost went to the hospital. Iced my head and rested. Finally feeling better. Note to self: do not exert myself on this medication!"

• Zoe...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 13, 2019

Zolmitriptan for Migraine "I have taken Zomig 2.5 mg for years with good relief and no side effects. Recently, after taking it, I've had episodes of severe heartburn not relieved by antacids, Pepto-Bismol, or anything else I can think of to take. It eventually leads to nausea. This isn't listed as a common side effect. My doctor was surprised to hear this. Sometimes, I still take 1/2 a pill with partial pain relief and no heartburn. I notice the heartburn most when I take Zomig at night and go to bed soon after. I've been mostly relying on Fiorinal with codeine, which works most of the time."

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2018

Zolmitriptan for Migraine "Thought I was having a stroke as the migraine was the worst I’ve ever had, severe nausea, unbearable pain, and rapid heart rate, etc. Took a 2.5 mg tablet and was able to sleep within 25 mins, and when I woke up just over an hour later, I felt human again. Did have some shooting pains in chest after 20 mins, but as far as side effects go, it’s not the worst. Personally, it’s given me some quality of life back as my migraines are chronic."

• Sas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 7, 2021

Zolmitriptan for Migraine "First time trying this medication for my migraines, and the experience was horrifying. I did as the pharmacist told me, as in when I felt the pain starting to take my first tablet right away. So I did, and after about an hour, the migraine was getting worse, so I waited the 2 hours in order to take my second tablet because the pain was only getting worse for me with some added nausea. Hoping for relief, I took the second dose, and oh my, what a bad idea. After just about 1/2 an hour, the pain intensified. My head felt like it was going to burst, my vision was not blurred, but if I looked at something, it was bobbing. I had to ice my head constantly, and anything I laid on felt so hard and made everything hurt. I could barely sleep because the pain was throbbing so bad and I was getting even more nauseous. So needless to say, I had a terrible night, still woke up with a pounding head, and will NEVER take another dose of this medication. I will be going to my doctor to do a different prescription."

• Rog...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 14, 2014

Zolmitriptan for Migraine "Not a fan of this medication at all. First, it made me nauseous because the taste was so awful dissolving in your mouth. It makes me nauseous just thinking about it. Then, it would make me overwhelmingly drowsy. I dreaded taking it. I thought I could get used to taking the medicine like I usually do, as I'm not a wimp about these things, but couldn't. It didn't work on some of the migraines. Still trying to find what best works for me."

• Ric...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 28, 2018

For Migraine "The horror of migraine with a pounding headache, the nausea, incessant retching, inability to sleep, sensitivity all over, and photosensitivity were dramatically reduced when I took this 2.5 mg tablet. Within 20 minutes, a significant decrease in symptoms and finally the ability to sleep and recover from the exhaustion. You will still be incapacitated for the next 24 hours and weak, but this is a miracle drug."

• Dox...
• December 10, 2019

For Migraine "I have been taking Zomig 2.5 nasal spray for about 5 years. Worked great until about 3 months ago; suddenly I am experiencing side effects: nausea, feeling of gagging, basically just sick. Though it does get rid of the headache pain in about 30 minutes. Not sure what has changed, but I don't think I'll be able to take Zomig anymore. Tried the pill form as well; side effects worse than with the nasal spray. It's expensive also - even with insurance, it's $80 for 6 doses."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 15, 2014

Zolmitriptan for Migraine "The side effects far outweighed the benefits. Before I ever noticed that a migraine had begun to subside, I was overwhelmed with the most awful tingling sensation. It literally felt like I had a full body rash and as though something was crawling on me, mixed with the tingly sensation when your foot falls asleep. I also got very weak and nauseous, and occasionally light-headed. It was dreadful. I finally decided it was easier to take my regular migraine meds and treat the actual migraine symptoms than to deal with the side effects of Zomig. The only reason I'm giving it a 2 is because it did slightly lessen the actual migraine."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 14, 2018

For Migraine "I have been on many different types of triptans! Only the treatment of using Zomig 5 mg has completely stopped the migraine and the auras as well! I will still have the horrific pain experience for at least the next 3 days! I feel like I have been having my head beaten by a solid lead pipe for hours! I get severe nausea! I can’t stand the smell of anything, and I get very high anxiety over these many years of having migraines! As I had a total hysterectomy in my 30s, my migraines have actually gotten worse, and now all weather conditions can and do bring on sudden migraines! And very bright indoor lights, as well as sun-reflective sunlight off of passing cars! So I must stay close to my home when I am driving around by myself!"

• alo...
• September 13, 2018

For Migraine "On a positive note, this does stop the migraine headache within an hour (I took a 2.5 mg tablet as it wasn’t a mega migraine). However, the side effects weren’t great. I took this tablet at school because I had a migraine come on and laid down for about an hour in a dark room. Do not expect to be able to go back to school/work once you’ve taken one of these. I stood up to leave and go back to class and almost fell over with dizziness, not to mention nausea and needing to urinate 3 times within 30 mins. Nonetheless, I walked down a corridor to tell the nurse I was going back to class and everything was loud, and I couldn’t think straight, as well as muscle stiffness. The nurse started speaking to me, but I just couldn’t really understand her. Another 30 mins and the confusion + sensitivity to sound does decrease, but it’s now the next day and I still have nausea and a stiff neck. I suppose you just have to decide whether the migraine or the side effects are worse."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 12, 2015

For Migraine "I have suffered from chronic migraine since I was about 6 years old. I am now 20 and have been using zolmitriptan for a little over 2 years. This prescription has changed my life for the better! My migraines controlled my life, I could never make plans to do anything because I wasn't sure if I was going to get a migraine attack or not, and with my luck, 8 times out of 10, I did. The first time I took zolmitriptan, I was going on my 2nd day of a horrible migraine. As soon as I swallowed the dissolving pill, my migraine was gone! I find that I get better results in relieving a migraine if I take the pill right when I feel one coming. Some side effects for me are fatigue, frequent urination, hunger, and nausea, but well worth the side effects in my opinion."

• Tee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2022

For Migraine "I was prescribed this for the stress migraines I often endure from my line of work. Unfortunately, although it took away my headache, the side effects were so bad I felt like I was having an allergic reaction. My entire face felt like it was on fire, especially my nose, kind of like when you accidentally breathe underwater in a chlorine pool and it makes your nose burn. It also just gave me a general feeling of being unwell. I had to lay down for an hour, and every time I'd try to get up for any reason, I'd have to lay back down. I felt SO nauseous I couldn't move. If you are taking this for migraines with nausea, DON'T take this one. It will make you more queasy. I had to take an anti-nausea drug (Zofran) to get any sleep. I heavily debated going to urgent care or the ER after taking this drug. Would not recommend to anybody."

• Tee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 27, 2022

For Migraine "I was prescribed this for the stress migraines I often endure from my line of work. Unfortunately, although it took away my headache, the side effects were so bad I felt like I was having an allergic reaction. My entire face felt like it was on fire, especially my nose, kind of like when you accidentally breathe underwater in a chlorine pool and it makes your nose burn. It also just gave me a general feeling of being unwell. I had to lay down for an hour, and every time I'd try to get up for any reason, I'd have to lay back down. I felt SO nauseous I couldn't move. If you are taking this for migraines with nausea, DON'T take this one. It will make you more queasy. I had to take an anti-nausea drug (Zofran) to get any sleep. I heavily debated going to urgent care or the ER after taking this drug. Would not recommend to anybody."

• M C...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 8, 2024

Zolmitriptan for Migraine "I have used the brand name Zomig for years, with excellent results. I started with the pill and then moved on to the nasal 5 mg. I take it at the onset, and initially it worked in less than 10 minutes. Because of years of use, it takes longer, but it clears my nausea, vision aura, and brain fog, as well as the migraine headaches. I have tried many different rescue medications, including Ubeverly. They don’t work as well for me."

• Dox...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 13, 2022

For Migraine "I have chronic migraine. Zomig 2.5 mg nasal spray was, for at least 5 years, my go-to medication and, in most cases, would get rid of the migraine within about 20 minutes. About a year ago, things changed for some reason. Zomig would make me feel shaky, nauseous, and overall sick for hours (though the head pain resolved 90% of the time). This shakiness and nausea have become so bad with Zomig that I've unfortunately had to stop. I now take Frova, which is half as effective, but has no side effects. I wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience."

• ell...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 22, 2021

For Migraine "This medication made me nauseous. I’ve been vomiting like crazy, and it’s caused a worse headache for me. I don’t recommend it at all."