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How long does Zomig take to work?

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Dec 1, 2022.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

Zomig starts to work quickly, and most people who respond with a single dose will have responded within 1 hour. Some people may take up to 2 hours to experience a decrease in their headache pain.

If after 2 hours you have not responded, or the headache symptoms return, then you can take a second dose of Zomig. Zomig is best taken as soon as possible after your migraine starts, although it can be taken at any time during the attack.

In clinical studies:

  • 27% to 50% responded within 2 hours to Zomig 1mg
  • 62% to 65% responded within 2 hours to Zomig 2.5mg
  • 59% to 67% responded within 2 hours to Zomig 5mg.

The recommended starting dose for adults and children over the age of 12 years is 2.5mg. If you do not achieve a response with the 2.5mg Zomig, then subsequent attacks should be treated with 5mg Zomig (maximum single dose). The usual maximum daily dose is 10mg per 24 hours.

The safety of using Zomig to treat more than 4 headaches per month has not been established. Zomig does not prevent future migraines from occurring.

References
  • Zomig (zolmitriptan) Updated 04/2021 Amneal Pharmaceuticals https://www.drugs.com/pro/zomig.html#s-34092-7
  • Zomig Tablets 2.5mg Updated 10/03/2022 EMC  https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1372/smpc#gref

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