Amerge (Naratriptan)

Do’s

• Take Amerge exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider, typically one tablet at the first sign of a migraine.
• Take Amerge with or without food.
• If your migraine symptoms improve but aren't completely gone after the first dose, you may take a second dose after 4 hours, but no more than 5mg in 24 hours.
• If you've never taken Amerge before and have risk factors for heart disease, talk to your healthcare provider about taking the first dose at their office for monitoring.
• Inform your healthcare provider if your migraines worsen or don't improve with Amerge treatment.

Don'ts

• Don't take Amerge to prevent migraines.
• Don't take more than the prescribed dose of Amerge (maximum 5mg in 24 hours).
• Don't take more than one dose of Amerge if the first dose doesn't relieve your symptoms completely, without talking to your healthcare provider first.
• Don't use Amerge more often than 10 days per month, as this can worsen headaches.
• Don't hesitate to discuss increased migraine frequency or reduced effectiveness of Amerge with your healthcare provider.

Common side effects of Amerge may include:

• Chest/jaw/neck tightness, pain, or pressure (usually not serious)
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Drowsiness
• Nausea

Serious side effects of Amerge are rare but may include:

• Fast/irregular heartbeat
• Fainting
• Severe stomach/abdominal pain
• Bloody diarrhea
• Signs of a stroke (such as weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking, sudden vision changes)
• Allergic reactions

This is not an exhaustive list, and other side effects may occur. If you experience any unusual or severe side effects while taking  Amerge,  contact your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Tell your healthcare provider about any allergies to Amerge (naratriptan) or other triptan migraine medications before using it. Tell your healthcare provider about your medical history, especially if you have:

• Heart disease (chest pain, heart attack, irregular heartbeat)
• Decreased blood flow to the brain (stroke, mini-stroke)
• Blood circulation problems (like ischemic bowel disease, Raynaud's disease)
• Certain types of headaches (hemiplegic or basilar migraine)
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease

Inform your healthcare provider if you have any risk factors for heart disease, such as:

• Diabetes
• Family history of heart disease
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Overweight
• Smoker
• Woman past menopause
• Man over 40

Amerge may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or activities requiring alertness until you feel safe doing so. Avoid alcohol and marijuana as they can worsen these effects.

Tell your healthcare provider about all medications you take (prescription, non-prescription, and herbal) before any surgery or dental procedure.

The risk of heart disease and high blood pressure increases with age. Older adults may be more sensitive to Amerge's side effects, particularly high blood pressure, and heart problems.

Amerge should only be used during pregnancy if necessary. Discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider. Consult your healthcare provider before breastfeeding if you are taking Amerge. It is unknown if the medication passes into breast milk.