Naratriptan Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 17, 2024.

Applies to naratriptan: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it.

Do not take this medicine if you have used other triptan or ergot-type migraine medicines within the past 24 hours. Some examples of triptan medicines are almotriptan (Axert®), eletriptan (Relpax®), frovatriptan (Frova®), rizatriptan (Maxalt®), sumatriptan (Imitrex®, Treximet®), and zolmitriptan (Zomig®). Some examples of ergot-type medicines are dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45®, Migranal®) and ergotamine (Bellergal®, Cafergot®, Ergomar®, Wigraine®).

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

Check with your doctor if you used this medicine and your migraine did not go away, or if your migraine got worse or started occurring more often.

This medicine may cause problems if you have heart disease. If your doctor thinks you might have a problem with this medicine, he or she may want you to take your first dose in the doctor’s office or clinic.

This medicine may increase your risk of having abnormal heart rhythm, heart attack, angina, or stroke. This is more likely to occur if you or a family member already has heart disease, if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, if you smoke, if you are male and over 40 years of age, or if you are female and have gone through menopause. Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of a heart problem, such as chest pain or discomfort, an uneven heartbeat, nausea or vomiting, pain or discomfort in the shoulders, arms, jaw, back, or neck, shortness of breath, or sweating. Call your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of a stroke, such as confusion, difficulty with speaking, double vision, headaches, an inability to move the arms, legs, or facial muscles, an inability to speak, or slow speech.

Check with your doctor right away if you have chest discomfort, jaw or neck tightness after taking this medicine. Also, tell your doctor if you have sudden or severe abdominal or stomach pain or bloody diarrhea after using this medicine.

Using this medicine for 10 or more days per month may lead to worsening of headache. You may keep a headache diary to record the headache frequency and drug use.

Make sure your doctor knows about all the other medicines you are using. Naratriptan may cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome when taken with some medicines. This includes medicines to treat depression, such as citalopram (Celexa®), duloxetine (Cymbalta®), escitalopram (Lexapro®), fluoxetine (Prozac®, Sarafem®, Symbyax®), fluvoxamine (Luvox®), olanzapine (Zyprexa®), paroxetine (Paxil®), sertraline (Zoloft®), or venlafaxine (Effexor®). Check with your doctor right away if you have agitation, confusion, diarrhea, excitement while talking that is not normal, fever, overactive reflexes, poor coordination, restlessness, shivering, sweating, trembling or shaking that you cannot control, or twitching. These could be symptoms of serotonin syndrome.

Drinking alcoholic beverages can make headaches worse or cause new headaches to occur. People who suffer from severe headaches should probably avoid alcoholic beverages, especially during a headache.

Some people feel drowsy or dizzy during or after a migraine, or after taking naratriptan to relieve a migraine. As long as you are feeling drowsy or dizzy, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of naratriptan

Along with its needed effects, naratriptan 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 naratriptan:

Other side effects of naratriptan

Some side effects of naratriptan 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:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to naratriptan: oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported adverse reactions have included paresthesias, dizziness, drowsiness, malaise/fatigue, and throat/neck symptoms.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Common (1% to 10%): Palpitations, chest pain and discomfort, chest pressure/heaviness
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bradycardia, tachycardia
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Peripheral vascular ischemia, coronary artery vasospasm, transient ischemic ECG changes, angina, myocardial infarctions
• Frequency not reported: Acute myocardial infarction, increased blood pressure^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Malaise/fatigue, sensations of pain or pressure, heaviness or tightness (maybe of throat/neck/chest), warm-hot sensation, vertigo^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Paresthesias, dizziness, drowsiness, headaches
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Somnolence^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting, hyposalivation
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Ischemic colitis^[Ref]

Ocular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Visual disturbance, photophobia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Musculoskeletal pain, muscle stiffness, tightness and rigidity^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity reactions including cutaneous hypersensitivity and angioedema^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Rash, urticaria, pruritus, facial edema^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Naratriptan side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer