Frovatriptan

Pronunciation: FROE-va-TRIP-tan
Generic Name: Frovatriptan
Brand Name: Frova

Frovatriptan is used for:

Treating acute migraine headache with or without aura (flashing lights, wavy lines, dark spots) in adults. It should not be used to prevent migraines.

Frovatriptan is a serotonin 5-HT₁ receptor agonist ("triptan"). It works by narrowing the blood vessels in the brain and, thereby, reducing pressure and pain in the brain. A migraine headache is thought to be caused by widened blood vessels exerting pressure on the brain.

Do NOT use Frovatriptan if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Frovatriptan


• you have a history of ischemic heart disease (eg, angina, heart attack), coronary artery disease (CAD), other moderate to severe heart problems, brain blood vessel disease (eg, stroke, transient ischemic attack), or other blood vessel disease (eg, Raynaud syndrome, ischemic bowel disease)


• you have uncontrolled high blood pressure


• you have certain types of migraines (eg, hemiplegic, basilar)


• you are taking an ergot alkaloid (eg, ergotamine) or have taken another 5-HT₁ receptor agonist (eg, sumatriptan, rizatriptan) within the past 24 hours


• you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the past 14 days


• you are taking sibutramine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Frovatriptan:

Some medical conditions may interact with Frovatriptan. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have history of liver or kidney problems, seizures (eg, epilepsy), heart problems, other types of headaches (eg, cluster headaches), shortness of breath, chest pain, heart attack, stroke, or irregular heartbeat, or if a family member has had heart disease


• if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or if you smoke


• if you are a woman past menopause or you have had a hysterectomy


• if you are a man over 40 years old


• if you are very overweight

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Frovatriptan. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (eg, duloxetine), or sibutramine because the risk of a serious side effect called serotonin syndrome may be increased. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include mental or mood changes, hallucinations, fast heartbeat, fever, loss of coordination, muscle spasms, increased sweating, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea


• Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol) or MAOIs (eg, phenelzine) because they may increase the risk of Frovatriptan's side effects


• Ergot alkaloids (eg, ergotamine) or another 5-HT₁ receptor agonist (eg, sumatriptan or rizatriptan) because the actions and side effects of Frovatriptan or these medicines may be increased when taken together

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Frovatriptan may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Frovatriptan:

Use Frovatriptan as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Frovatriptan. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.


• Take Frovatriptan by mouth with or without food.


• Take a single dose of Frovatriptan with fluids as soon as migraine symptoms appear. A second dose may be taken if there is only a partial response or symptoms of the migraine return. However, do not take it sooner than 2 hours following the first dose. Do not take a second dose if your symptoms do not get better after your first dose. Do not take more than 3 tablets in a 24-hour period.


• If you miss a dose of Frovatriptan and you still have a headache, follow your doctor's dosing instructions. Contact your doctor if you are unsure of what to do if you miss a dose. Do not take Frovatriptan more often than prescribed. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Frovatriptan.

Important safety information:

• Frovatriptan may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Frovatriptan with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Frovatriptan may cause dizziness or fainting. If dizziness occurs, sit or stand up slowly.


• If Frovatriptan does not stop or decrease the severity of your migraine attack or if your symptoms become worse, check with your doctor.


• Frovatriptan is intended to relieve acute migraine headaches. Do not use it to prevent or reduce the number of attacks you experience. Use Frovatriptan only to treat an actual migraine attack. If you have a headache that is different from your usual migraine attacks, check with your doctor before using Frovatriptan.


• Overuse of Frovatriptan can cause your headache to become worse. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use more often than prescribed without checking with your doctor.


• Rarely, serious heart problems (eg, heart attack, irregular heartbeat) have been reported within a few hours of using Frovatriptan. Contact your doctor at once if fast or irregular heartbeat; chest, jaw, or neck pain or numbness; numbness of an arm or leg; severe stomach pain, dizziness, or vomiting; fainting; or vision changes occur. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.


• Serotonin syndrome is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Frovatriptan. Your risk may be greater if you take Frovatriptan with certain other medicines (eg, SSRIs, SNRIs). Symptoms may include agitation; confusion; hallucinations; coma; fever; fast or irregular heartbeat; loss of coordination; tremor; excessive sweating; and nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Frovatriptan before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Lab tests, including heart function tests, may be performed while you use Frovatriptan. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Frovatriptan with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Frovatriptan is not recommended for use in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Frovatriptan while you are pregnant. It is not known if Frovatriptan is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Frovatriptan, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Frovatriptan:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; fatigue; flushing; headache; hot or cold sensations; indigestion; numbness or tingling in the arms, legs, hands, or feet.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody diarrhea; bone or joint pain; confusion, slurred speech, or changes in vision; hallucinations; irregular or rapid heartbeat; loss of coordination; mental or mood changes (eg, agitation); muscle spasms; one-sided weakness; pain or unusual coldness in feet, legs, hands, or arms; pain, tightness, pressure, and heaviness in the chest, throat, neck, or jaw; pale or blue-colored fingers or toes; persistent numbness or tingling in the arms, legs, hands, or feet; seizures; severe stomach pain; sudden severe dizziness, fainting, headache, or vomiting; sudden shortness of breath.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Frovatriptan side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blurred vision; severe dizziness; unusually fast or irregular heartbeat.

Proper storage of Frovatriptan:

Store Frovatriptan at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Frovatriptan out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Frovatriptan, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Frovatriptan is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Frovatriptan. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Frovatriptan resources

• Frovatriptan Side Effects (in more detail)
• Frovatriptan Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Frovatriptan Drug Interactions
• Frovatriptan Support Group
• 16 Reviews for Frovatriptan - Add your own review/rating

• frovatriptan Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• frovatriptan Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Frova Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Frova Monograph (AHFS DI)

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