Amerge

Pronunciation: NAR-a-TRIP-tan
Generic Name: Naratriptan
Brand Name: Amerge

Amerge is used for:

Relieving certain types of migraine headaches. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Amerge is a serotonin 5-HT₁ receptor agonist. It works by narrowing blood vessels in the brain.

Do NOT use Amerge if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Amerge


• you are treating hemiplegic or basilar type migraine headache


• you have severe liver or kidney problems, or uncontrolled high blood pressure


• you have a history of heart problems (eg, coronary artery disease, heart attack), blood vessel problems, chest pain (eg, angina), stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIA), certain bowel problems (eg, ischemic bowel disease [IBS]), or seizures


• you have taken another 5-HT₁ receptor agonist (eg, sumatriptan), an ergot-type medicine (eg, dihydroergotamine), or methylsergide in the past 24 hours

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Amerge:

Some medical conditions may interact with Amerge. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have a family member with a history of coronary artery disease or heart disease


• if you have diabetes, liver or kidney problems, or fast or irregular heartbeat


• if you have a history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, shortness of breath, unusual growths in the brain, or other types of headache (eg, cluster headache)


• if you smoke or are very overweight


• if you are female and are past menopause or have had a hysterectomy


• if you are a male more than 40 years old

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Amerge. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (eg, phenelzine), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, citalopram, fluoxetine), serotonin 5-HT₁ receptor agonists (eg, sumatriptan), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (eg, duloxetine, venlafaxine), sibutramine, or tryptophan because severe side effects, such as a reaction that may include fever, rigid muscles, blood pressure changes, mental changes, confusion, irritability, agitation, delirium, and coma, may occur


• Ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine), hormonal contraceptives (eg, birth control pill), or methylsergide because they may increase the risk of Amerge's side effects

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Amerge may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Amerge:

Use Amerge as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Amerge. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.


• Take Amerge by mouth with or without food.


• Swallow Amerge whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.


• It is best to take a dose of Amerge as soon as you notice headache symptoms of a migraine attack.


• If your headache returns or you do not get full relief after one dose, you may take another dose at least 4 hours after the first dose.


• If you do not get any relief from the first dose, do not take additional doses without first checking with your doctor.


• If you miss a dose of Amerge and you still have a headache, take it as soon as possible. Do not take 2 doses at once. Do not take more than 2 doses in a 24-hour period.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Amerge.

Important safety information:

• Amerge may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Amerge with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• If you have a headache that is different than your usual migraine attacks, check with your doctor before using Amerge.


• Overuse of Amerge may cause your headache to become worse. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.


• Serotonin syndrome is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Amerge. Your risk may be greater if you take Amerge with certain other medicines (eg, SSRIs, MAOIs). Symptoms may include agitation; confusion; hallucinations; coma; fever; fast or irregular heartbeat; tremor; excessive sweating; and nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.


• Lab tests, including blood pressure, heart function, and kidney or liver function, may be performed while you use Amerge. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Amerge should not be used in the ELDERLY; the risk for serious side effects (eg, heart problems, high blood pressure) may be increased.


• Amerge should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Amerge while you are pregnant. It is not known if Amerge is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Amerge, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Amerge:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; drowsiness; nausea; numbness or tingling of the skin; tiredness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the eyelids, mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blood in stool; bluish discoloration of fingers and toes; chest pain; confusion; fast or irregular heartbeat; feeling hot or cold; fever, chills, or sore throat; increased sensitivity to light; mental or mood changes; neck or throat pain; one-sided weakness; paleness of your skin; persistent numbness or tingling of the skin; sudden, severe, or persistent stomach pain; shortness of breath; slurred speech; tightness of the jaw, neck, or chest; vision changes; vomiting.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Amerge side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include severe drowsiness.

Proper storage of Amerge:

Store Amerge between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, light, and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Amerge out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Amerge, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Amerge is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Amerge. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Amerge resources

• Amerge Side Effects (in more detail)
• Amerge Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Amerge Drug Interactions
• Amerge Support Group
• 12 Reviews for Amerge - Add your own review/rating

• Amerge Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Amerge Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Amerge Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Amerge Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Naratriptan Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Naratriptan Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Compare Amerge with other medications

• Migraine