Zolmitriptan

What is Zolmitriptan?

Zolmitriptan is a selective serotonin receptor agonist and is used in the treatment of migraines, with or without aura and cluster headaches. Zolmitriptan is a member of the triptan class of drugs.

Zolmitriptan is prescribed to treat migraines, helping to relieve the unpleasant symptoms of this common issue such as headaches, nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Ideally, it should be taken at the onset of a migraine attack, although it can also be taken later on into an attack.

You need a prescription to buy Zolmitriptan. 

What is Zolmitriptan used to treat?

Zolmitriptan tablets are sold as an acute treatment for migraine attacks. 

You will likely be prescribed Zolmitriptan when over the counter painkillers like paracetamol have not worked to ease your migraines.

Zolmitriptan should not be used to prevent migraines, only to relieve them when they occur.

While the exact cause of a migraine is not known, Zolmitriptan continues to be widely prescribed and is effective at relieving the symptoms of a migraine.

Why is Zolmitriptan recommended for migraines?

In clinical trials, Zolmitriptan was found to be an effective treatment for the symptoms of migraines. There is even evidence to suggest that Zolmitriptan can reduce the symptoms of migraine when other treatments had failed to have an effect. 

Research also showed that Zolmitriptan was generally well tolerated, so the risk of side effects is minimal. 

How does Zolmitriptan work?

Triptans like Zolmitriptan work to relieve the symptoms of migraines by helping to narrow the blood vessels around the brain, which are believed to expand at the onset of a migraine attack.

By narrowing the blood vessels back to their normal size the pressure is relieved, as is the throbbing headache that comes with a migraine. Furthermore, this helps to ease the other symptoms that are caused by migraines, like nausea.

Zolmitriptan is a fast-acting medicine and should have effectively relieved your symptoms after around one hour.

Who can take Zolmitriptan?

Zolmitriptan is an effective medication to treat migraine symptoms, but it may not be suitable for everyone to use.

You should not take Zolmitriptan if:

• You are allergic to zolmitriptan or any ingredients in the medication
• You have high blood pressure
• You have or have ever had heart problems, including a heart attack and angina, or have ever had any symptoms of a heart problem, like tightness in the chest or shortness of breath
• You have liver problems
• You are at risk of heart disease
• You have headaches that differ to the usual ones brought on by migraines
• You have Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
• You are taking any medicine to treat depression
• You have had a stroke or exhibited symptoms similar to those of a stroke
• You are taking any other medicines to treat a migraine (see the Warnings tab for the full list of medicines that interact with Zolmitriptan)

If you have any questions or concerns, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you start to take the medication. This list is not exhaustive; always read the patient information leaflet.

Can you buy Zolmitriptan over the counter?

Zolmitriptan cannot be bought over the counter. You will need a prescription from your doctor to purchase this medication.

Can you buy Zolmitriptan online in the UK?

Medicine Direct stocks Zolmitriptan, but it is a prescription-only medicine (POM). To buy Zolmitriptan online from our pharmacy, you will need to first fill out our online consultation form for one of our prescribers to assess. This is to make sure that it is a suitable medicine for you to take. You will also need to have been diagnosed with migraines by your doctor.

We can offer you next day delivery if your order is placed by 2pm.

Medicine Direct is fully regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council, which means that all of our medicine is safe and approved for sale in the UK. For your own safety, never buy medication online unless it is from a registered pharmacy.

Zolmitriptan alternatives

You can buy various other triptan medicines online from Medicine Direct. These medicines work in the same way as Zolmitriptan. We also stock migraine medicines such as Sumatriptan and Almotriptan. Just complete an online consultation form and one of our registered doctors or pharmacists will review your answers to ensure your desired medication is safe for you to take.

Zolmitriptan is also available as a branded version, Zomig 2.5mg/5mg tablets.

Imigran nasal sprays are available to treat migraines, as are Imigran tablets. These medicines contain sumatriptan as the active ingredient.

We also sell non-prescription alternatives to Zolmitriptan. Anadin Extra caplets provide effective relief from migraines, as well as the likes of toothache and period pain. Containing paracetamol and aspirin, Anadin Extra is a comprehensive treatment for migraine symptoms. They also contain caffeine, which helps the medicine to get to work as quickly as possible, providing rapid relief from pain.