Triptans - a class of drugs used to relieve migraine and severe headache. They are typically used when standard analgesics, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen are ineffective. Take triptans for migraine needed when you start to feel the pain increases, but not before, since they may be less effective if taken too early during a migraine attack. Side effects associated with triptans, are usually mild.

What is a migraine

Migraine - a condition that causes headaches and often other symptoms such as nausea or vomiting. Between bouts of migraine symptoms go away completely.

What triptans

Triptans - a group of drugs that relieve the symptoms of a migraine attack. These include almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan. Brand names may be different. Triptans may be in the form of tablets, injections and nasal sprays.

How do triptans

Triptans constrict (cut) vessels in the brain and relieve swelling. Triptans have other properties that help ease the symptoms of a migraine. Causes of migraine is unknown, but they are likely to play the role of changes in brain chemistry.
  Triptans are intended for use during a migraine attack, but not to stop the impending attack. You have to wait until you feel a slight discomfort (usually at the beginning of an attack of a headache), and then take a triptan.

Which triptan is the best?

These drugs are effective in reducing the symptoms of migraine, and well tolerated. But it's hard to say which is the most effective triptan. Triptane that someone is very good, it may not be as effective for you. You may need to try several triptans, to find the one that best suits you.

If the first triptan not very well helps or causes unpleasant side effects, try another type of triptans. Doctors recommend to try one triptan during the three migraine attacks before deciding whether to replace it with another.

Your doctor may also recommend to change the way the medication. For example, if during a migraine attack you usually vomits, you can try zolmitriptan nasal spray, or sumatriptan injection.

You may find that a combination of a triptan with other medications (such as acetaminophen or naproxen) better help stop a headache. Discuss this option with your doctor if triptans help themselves well enough.

Some triptans can also help prevent migraine in women who experience it during menstruation. Studies have shown that these women can prevent headaches by taking frovatriptan for 6 days, starting 2 days before the onset of menstruation. Frovatriptan usually used to relieve migraine after a headache.

Side effects

All medicines have side effects. But many people do not feel the side effects, or they may endure. Here are the important points that must be considered:

• Typically, the use of drugs is more important than minor side effects.
• Side effects may disappear after a while you will use the medicine.
• If side effects still bother you, and you are not sure whether or not you take this medicine, consult your doctor.

Urgent Call your doctor if you have:

• Labored breathing
• Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Severe chest pain Chest pain Pressure or a strange sensation in the chest. Some feel pain, pressure, or a strange sensation in the back, neck, jaw, upper abdomen, in one or both arms or hands.

Common side effects of triptans include:

• Burning, pain, or irritation of the nose (from a nasal spray).
• Burning, pain or redness at the injection site.
• Change in taste (from the nasal spray).
• Dizziness, weakness.
• Dry mouth.
• The sensation of heat or cold, weakness, or other unusual sensations.
• Muscle pain or cramping.
• Nausea or vomiting.

What should be taken into account

Overdose of drugs for migraine headaches can cause headaches return Headache . This pain is different from headache due to migraine. Usually, the pain occurs when the drug is no longer valid, prompting you to take a new dose. Make sure that taking the medication exactly as prescribed by a doctor.

Council of Women

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, do not take any medicine, if you are not prescribed by a doctor. Some medications are harmful to a child. Make sure the doctor knows that you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Who can and who can not take triptans

If you are assigned to triptans, read the annotation to medication, and make sure you can take it. In particular, you should not take triptans if you:

• Uncontrolled hypertension.
• Cardiovascular disease (angina, infarction, etc.) or risk of development.
• I had a stroke or mini stroke.
• Coronary vasospasm.
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• In certain diseases of the kidneys or liver recommended dose reduced some triptans.

  Triptans should not be taken simultaneously with medicines for migraine containing ergotamine. After cessation of triptan to wait before taking any medicine containing ergotamine, and vice versa. This waiting period is between 12 and 24 hours, depending on the type of triptane. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

  There are age limits for receiving triptans:

• Children under 12 should not take triptans.
• Adolescents (12 to 18) can be administered sumatriptan nasal spray (10mg).
• Triptans are not intended for those over 65 years old.

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