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Zomig

Generic name: zolmitriptan

What is Zomig?

Zomig is a prescription medication used to treat migraine headaches in adults. ZOMIG is not for other types of headaches. The safety and efficacy of Zomig in patients under 18 have not been established.

What is a Migraine Headache?

Migraine is an intense, throbbing headache. You may have pain on one or both sides of your head. You may have nausea and vomiting, and be sensitive to light and noise. The pain and symptoms of a migraine headache can be worse than a common headache. Some women get migraines around the time of their menstrual period. Some people have visual symptoms before the headache, such as flashing lights or wavy lines, called an aura.

How does Zomig work?

Treatment with Zomig reduces swelling of blood vessels surrounding the brain. This swelling is associated with the headache pain of a migraine attack. Zomig blocks the release of substances from nerve endings that cause more pain and other symptoms like nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. It is thought that these actions contribute to relief of your symptoms by Zomig.

Who should not take Zomig?

Do not take Zomig if you:

  • Have heart disease or a history of heart disease
  • Have uncontrolled high blood pressure
  • Have hemiplegic or basilar migraine (if you are not sure about this, ask your doctor)
  • Have or had a stroke or problems with your blood circulation
  • Have serious liver problems
  • Have taken any of the following medicines in the last 24-hours: other “triptans” like almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), sumatriptan/naproxen (Treximet); ergotamines like Bellergal-s, Cafergot, Ergomar, Wigraine; dihydroergotamine like d.h.e. 45 or Migranal; or methysergide (Sansert). These medications have side effects similar to Zomig.
  • Have taken monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors such as phenelzine sulfate (Nardil) or tranylcypromine sulfate (Parnate) for depression or other conditions within the last 2 weeks.
  • Are allergic to Zomig or any of its ingredients. The active ingredient is zolmitriptan. The inactive ingredients are listed at the end of this guide.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before taking Zomig?

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take or plan to take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, supplements, and herbal remedies.

Tell your doctor if you are sensitive to phenylalanine, which can be found in the artificial sweetener aspartame. Zomig-ZMT contains phenylalanine.

Tell your doctor if you are taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), two types of drugs for depression or other disorders. Common SSRIs are Celexa (citalopram HBr), Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate), Paxil (paroxetine), Prozac (fluoxetine), Symbyax (olanzapine/fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), Sarafem (fluoxetine) and Luvox (fluvoxamine). Common SNRIs are Cymbalta (duloxetine) and Effexor (venlafaxine). Your doctor will decide if you can take Zomig with your other medicines.

Tell your doctor if you know that you have any of the following: risk factors for heart disease like high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity (overweight), menopause, or a family history of heart disease or stroke.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Zomig will harm your unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breast feeding or plan to breast feed. It is not known if Zomig passes into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby while using Zomig.

How should I take Zomig?

  • Take Zomig exactly as your doctor tells you to take it. Your doctor will tell you how much Zomig to take and when to take it.
  • If you take Zomig-ZMT Orally Disintegrating Tablets, do not remove the tablet from the blister pack until you are ready to take your medicine.
  • You do not need to take any liquids with your Zomig-ZMT Orally Disintegrating Tablets.
  • Take Zomig‑ZMT Orally Disintegrating Tablets whole.
  • Place Zomig-ZMT Orally Disintegrating Tablets on your tongue, where it will dissolve.
  • Safely throw away any unused tablets or pieces of tablets that have been removed from the blister packaging.
  • If your headache comes back after your first dose, you may take a second dose any time after 2 hours of taking the first dose. For any attack where the first dose did not work, do not take a second dose without talking with your doctor. Do not take more than a total of 10 mg of Zomig (tablets or spray combined in any 24 hour period. If you take too much medicine, contact your doctor, hospital emergency department, or poison control center right away.

What are the possible side effects of Zomig?

Zomig is generally well tolerated. As with any medicine, people taking Zomig may have side effects. The side effects are usually mild and do not last long.

The most common side effects of Zomig are:

  • pain, pressure or tightness in the neck, throat or jaw
  • dizziness
  • tingling or other abnormal sensations
  • tiredness
  • drowsiness
  • feeling warm or cold
  • nausea
  • feeling of tightness or heaviness in other areas of the body
  • dry mouth

In very rare cases, patients taking triptans may experience serious side effects, such as heart attacks, high blood pressure, stroke, or serious allergic reactions. Extremely rarely, patients have died. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following problems after taking Zomig:

  • severe tightness, pain, pressure or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw
  • shortness of breath or wheezing
  • sudden or severe stomach pain
  • hives; tongue, mouth, or throat swelling
  • problems seeing
  • unusual weakness or numbness

Some people may have a reaction called serotonin syndrome, which can be life-threatening, when they use Zomig. In particular, this reaction may occur when they use Zomig together with certain types of antidepressants known as SSRIs or SNRIs. Symptoms may include mental changes (hallucinations, agitation, coma), fast heartbeat, changes in blood pressure, high body temperature or sweating, tight muscles, trouble walking, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Call your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms after taking Zomig.

This is not a complete list of side effects. Talk to your doctor if you develop any symptoms that concern you.

What to do in case of an overdose?

Call your doctor or poison control center or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Zomig Images

General information about the safe and effective use of Zomig

Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in patient information leaflets. Do not use Zomig for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Zomig to other people, even if they have the same symptoms as you. People may be harmed if they take medicines that have not been prescribed for them.

This guide summarizes the most important information about Zomig. If you would like more information about Zomig, talk to your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information on Zomig that is written for healthcare professionals. You can also call 1-877-835-5472 or visit our website at www.Zomig.com.

How should I store Zomig?

Store both Zomig Tablets and Zomig‑ZMT Orally Disintegrating Tablets at controlled room temperature, 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C) and away from children. Protect from light and moisture. Discard when expired.

What are the ingredients in Zomig?

Active ingredient: zolmitriptan

Inactive ingredients:

Tablets: anhydrous lactose NF, microcrystalline cellulose NF, sodium starch glycolate NF, magnesium stearate NF, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose USP, titanium dioxide USP, polyethylene glycol 400 NF, yellow iron oxide NF (2.5 mg tablet), red iron oxide NF (5 mg tablet), and polyethylene glycol 8000 NF

Orally Disintegrating Tablets: mannitol USP, microcrystalline cellulose NF, crospovidone NF, aspartame NF, sodium bicarbonate USP, citric acid anhydrous USP, colloidal silicon dioxide NF, magnesium stearate NF and orange flavor SN 027512

Source: National Library of Medicine. Last updated April 30, 2019.