Zolmitriptan Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Oct 3, 2024.

Applies to zolmitriptan: oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating.

Other dosage forms:

• nasal spray

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:

More common side effects

• chest pain (severe)
• heaviness, tightness, or pressure in the chest or neck
• sensation of burning, warmth, heat, numbness, tightness, or tingling

Less common or rare side effects

• abdominal or stomach pain (severe)
• changes in facial skin color
• cough or hoarseness
• diarrhea
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• fever or chills
• hives, itching, or skin rash
• itching
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• nausea
• painful or difficult urination
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, or lips
• tightness in the chest
• trouble breathing
• weakness

Rare side effects

• blurred vision
• confusion
• difficulty swallowing
• dizziness
• fainting
• frequent strong or increased urge to urinate
• headache
• increased volume of pale, dilute urine
• nervousness
• pounding in the ears
• severe numbness, especially on one side of the face or body
• slow heartbeat
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Incidence not known

• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs

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 side effects

• lack or loss of strength
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• warm or cold sensation

Less common side effects

• dizziness or lightheadedness
• dry mouth
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• sensation of spinning

Rare side effects

• anxiety
• crying
• depersonalization
• depression
• dysphoria
• euphoria
• hyperventilation
• irritability
• loss of memory
• paranoia
• problems with memory
• quick to react or overreact emotionally
• rapidly changing moods
• redness of the skin
• seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• shaking
• trouble sleeping
• welts

For healthcare professionals

Applies to zolmitriptan: nasal spray, oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating.

General adverse events

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]

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]

Cardiovascular

• 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]

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]

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.

Frequently asked questions

• How long does Zomig take to work?

Further information

Zolmitriptan 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.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer