Almotriptan is an acute medication for migraine. The drug, produced by the Spanish pharmaceutical company Almirall, is offered in Germany by different companies and is also available without a prescription in pharmacies.
What is almotriptan?
Almotriptan is an acute medication for migraine. A vasoconstrictor, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory agent in the triptan group, almotriptan is used for the acute treatment of migraine with and without aura. It is not suitable for preventive treatment. Its mode of action is based on agonism at the serotonin 5-HT1 receptors. Almotriptan has only been available as a second over-the-counter triptan since 2009. Until then, only naratriptan was available for self-medication. Because of their good risk-benefit ratio, the prescription requirement for both active ingredients has been lifted. Nevertheless, it is still recommended to consult a physician if the headache persists for more than 24 hours or if further symptoms occur. Almotriptan is taken orally with liquid and is commercially available in tablet form. The bioavailability is 70%. It is broken down in the liver. The half-life is approximately 3 – 4 hours. Almotriptan has been shown to be well tolerated.
Pharmacologic effects
Almotriptan, a drug that belongs to the triptans, has a vasoconstrictor (vasoconstricting) effect on blood vessels in the brain directly at the site of pain. Migraine pain is vasodilatory (vasodilating). By constricting the blood vessels with almotriptan, not only the pain subsides. The additional complaints often associated with migraine, such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to noise and light, also disappear. Almotriptan also reduces the amount of inflammatory messenger substances released. The first pain relief sets in about half an hour after ingestion. However, the characteristic mechanism of action of almotriptan means that the drug does not help with headaches of other etiologies. Almotriptan cannot be used as a preventive against migraine attacks. However, it does have a good effect if it is taken at the beginning of a migraine, when the headache is still mild, with a little liquid. In this way, the strength and duration of migraine attacks can be influenced much better than is the case with an advanced migraine with corresponding moderate or severe pain.
Medical use and application
Although there is still no complete explanation for the development of migraine, almotriptan is a good choice for therapy. The good tolerability of the active ingredient is another compelling argument for prescribing this drug. Migraine attacks rarely occur once in sufferers, but are to be regarded as recurring companions. Migraine attacks often occur unexpectedly, with serious consequences in both private and professional life. As an acute medication, Almotriptan is therefore an effective aid. However, it cannot prevent them. If a migraine attack occurs, Almotriptan should be taken immediately. It was specially developed to have a targeted effect on the meningeal blood vessels. There it inhibits ongoing inflammatory processes and tightens the dilated blood vessels responsible for the pain in a migraine. Knowing that almotriptan has a reliable and rapid onset of action means additional relief for sufferers. Almotriptan owes its nickname “all-rounder” to its exceptional therapeutic success. In a survey, for example, around two-thirds of people reported a significant reduction in pain within the next 2 hours after taking the drug. About one third of those surveyed even reported complete freedom from pain. Initial pain relief can be felt after just 30 minutes. In addition, the effect of almotriptan does not diminish even in the long-term course and so-called recurrent headaches occurred significantly less frequently in patients with 18-27% under medication with almotriptan than in treatments with alternative medications.
Risks and side effects
As helpful as almotriptan is for most migraine sufferers, it should not be taken if there is hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or in certain medical conditions. Contraindications exist for severe liver dysfunction and in certain cardiovascular and vascular conditions.For this purpose, it must not be used together with ergotamine and ergotamine derivatives or other 5-HT1B/1D agonists (triptans), as this easily leads to an increase in effect. Taking almotriptan may cause fatigue, dizziness, nausea, or vomiting. Other side effects that may occur are: Headache, ringing in the ears, dry mouth, tightness in the throat, diarrhea, weakness, muscle and bone pain, chest pain, paresthesias, and palpitations.
