Side effects of triptans
Triptans are generally well tolerated. As with all drugs, triptans have side effects that need to be considered and weighed against the benefit of the drug. Weakness and/or dizziness are often reported after prolonged use of a triptan.
The dizziness may sometimes be described as fluctuating or even spinning, sometimes a mixed picture is described. Dizziness may occur at rest, but also especially after changing position (from sitting to standing etc.). Depending on the severity of the dizziness and the need for medication, consideration should be given to discontinuing the triptan and replacing it with another painkiller.
Other neurological complaints reported with the use of a triptan are tingling and numbness in the arms, legs or hands and fingers. Feelings of warmth and heat and sweating can occur very often during and after treatment with a triptan. The main reason is mainly the effect of the drug on the blood vessels, which can also affect the autonomic nervous system.
In rare cases, heart problems can also occur under a triptan. This condition, also known as angina pectoris, is characterized by a feeling of tightness in the chest and should be clarified medically as soon as possible, as these symptoms can always be a harbinger of a heart attack. Cardiac arrhythmias are rare, but they can occur, as well as complaints in the area of the skeletal musculature.
For example, weakness has been reported in the arms or legs and the hands, which is believed to result from manipulating the blood flow to the striated skeletal muscles. In addition to the side effects, there are also some interactions with other medications that need to be considered. If so-called ergotamines are also taken at the same time, the use of triptans should be avoided, as dangerous vasospasms can occur.
Even when treating with an MAO inhibitor, which is mainly used to treat severe depression, simultaneous treatment with a triptan should be avoided. If a triptan is taken at the same time as a so-called serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), which is also used in the treatment of depression, it should be noted that simultaneous use of the triptan can lead to life-threatening serotonin syndrome. In this clinical picture, a dangerous accumulation of serotonin occurs with accompanying neurological symptoms. Serotonin syndrome can also become life-threatening and must be treated very quickly.
