Naratriptán para la migraña

About naratriptan

No está claro qué causa la migraña. Se cree que algunas sustancias químicas del cerebro aumentan su actividad y, como resultado, algunas partes del cerebro envían señales confusas que provocan los síntomas de la migraña. Tampoco está claro por qué las personas con migraña desarrollan estos cambios químicos. Muchas migrañas se producen sin motivo aparente, pero en algunos casos hay factores que las desencadenan, como ciertos alimentos o bebidas.

Naratriptan belongs to a class of medicines known as 5HT₁-receptor agonists. They are also known simply as triptans. Triptans work by stimulating the receptors of a natural substance in the brain called serotonin (or 5HT). This eases the symptoms of migraine.

Naratriptan is effective in relieving migraine attacks once the headache phase has started. It does not help prevent migraine headaches from developing.

Before taking naratriptan

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking naratriptan it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Si tiene más de 65 años o menos de 18.

• Si está embarazada o en periodo de lactancia.

• Si tiene problemas cardiacos, como angina de pecho, o si ha sufrido un infarto de miocardio.

• Si tiene la tensión arterial alta (hipertensión).

• Si tienes problemas de circulación.

• Si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento del hígado o de los riñones.

• Si ha sufrido alguna vez un ictus o un accidente isquémico transitorio (también denominado AIT o "miniictus").

• Si alguna vez ha tenido una reacción alérgica a un medicamento.

• Si toma o utiliza otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

How to take naratriptan

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The manufacturer's leaflet will give you more information about naratriptan and a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take naratriptan exactly as your doctor tells you to. It is usual to take one tablet as soon as you start to feel a migraine headache develop. Swallow the tablet with a drink of water.

• If your migraine at first improves but then comes back again, you may take another tablet, providing it is at least four hours after you took the first one. If your migraine is not eased after taking the first dose, a further dose is unlikely to work, so do not take a second tablet.

• Do not take more than two tablets in 24 hours. If you have a liver or kidney condition, you will be recommended to take no more than one tablet in 24 hours.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Naratriptan is meant to be used to treat headache pain during a migraine attack, not to stop the pain from coming on. You should wait until the pain is just beginning to develop, rather than taking it at the aura stage or when you feel that a migraine may be developing. Taking it earlier in a migraine attack will not stop the headache from developing.

• You should not take other migraine treatments such as other triptans or ergotamine at the same time as naratriptan.

• Some people may benefit from taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory painkiller (such as naproxen) in addition to naratriptan. Your doctor will advise you about this if it is recommended for you.

• If you find that naratriptan does not relieve your migraine, make an appointment to discuss this with your doctor, as a different 'triptan' medicine may be more effective for you.

• Si compra medicamentos sin receta, consulte a su farmacéutico qué medicamentos puede tomar sin peligro.

• Puede ser útil llevar un diario de las migrañas. Anote cuándo y dónde empezó cada crisis de migraña, qué estaba haciendo y qué había comido ese día. Puede surgir un patrón, y puede ser posible evitar una o más cosas que desencadenan tus ataques de migraña.

• Naratriptan is used to treat migraine attacks, but there are other medicines that are available that may help to prevent you from having migraines. If you have migraines frequently, discuss this with your doctor.

• Some people who get frequent migraine attacks are in fact getting medication-induced headache. Medication-induced headache (also called medication-overuse headache) is caused by taking painkillers or triptans too often. If you use naratriptan or painkillers on more than two days a week on a regular basis, you may be at risk of this. You should talk with your doctor if you suspect it.

Can naratriptan cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with naratriptan. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the tablets, discuss them with your pharmacist or doctor.

How to store naratriptan

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos