What is zolmitriptan?

ZOLMITRIPTAN NASAL SPRAY contains zolmitriptan, which is a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine 1B/1D (5-HT 1B/1D ) receptor agonist. Zolmitriptan is chemically designated as (S)-4-[[3-[2-(dimethylamino) ethyl]-1H-indol-5-yl]methyl]-2-oxazolidinone and has the following chemical structure: The empirical formula is C 16 H 21 N 3 O 2 , representing a molecular weight of 287.36. Zolmitriptan is a white to almost white powder that is readily soluble in water. ZOLMITRIPTAN NASAL SPRAY is supplied as a clear to pale yellow solution of zolmitriptan, buffered to a pH 5.0. Each ZOLMITRIPTAN NASAL SPRAY contains 2.5 mg or 5 mg of zolmitriptan in a 100-μL unit dose aqueous buffered solution containing citric acid, anhydrous, USP, disodium phosphate dodecahydrate USP and purified water USP. ZOLMITRIPTAN NASAL SPRAY is hypertonic. The osmolarity of ZOLMITRIPTAN NASAL SPRAY for 2.5 mg is 360 to 420 mOsmol, and for 5 mg is 420 to 470 mOsmol. Chemical Structure

What kind of drug is zolmitriptan?

The FDA classifies zolmitriptan as a serotonin-1b and serotonin-1d receptor agonist. These migraine drugs (triptans) switch on serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptors: they tighten the dilated blood vessels around the brain and quiet the trigeminal nerve pathway, blocking the release of pain-signaling molecules that drive a migraine attack. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take zolmitriptan with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run zolmitriptan against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is zolmitriptan sold under?

We track 3 zolmitriptan-containing products in the U.S.: Zomig, Zolmitriptan and Zomig-Zmt. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does zolmitriptan come in?

Across the brands we track, zolmitriptan is currently marketed as spray/inhaler, metered, tablet, spray/inhaler and tablet, orally disintegrating, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic zolmitriptan?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic zolmitriptan product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Zolmitriptan: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Zolmitriptan is a serotonin-1b and serotonin-1d receptor agonist sold in the U.S. under 3 brand and generic names, for migraine disorders. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Serotonin-1b and Serotonin-1d Receptor Agonist
Treats: Migraine Disorders
Available as: Spray/Inhaler, metered · Tablet · Spray/Inhaler · Tablet, orally disintegrating
Sold as: 3 products — Zomig, Zolmitriptan and Zomig-Zmt
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Typical price: about $67 for a 30-count supply

How zolmitriptan is dosed

From the FDA label for Zomig (application NDA021450). Other zolmitriptan products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Recommended starting dose: 2.5 mg (2.1) Maximum single dose: 5 mg (2.1) May repeat dose after 2 hours if needed; not to exceed 10 mg in any 24-hour period (2.1) 2.1 Dosing Information The recommended starting dose for ZOLMITRIPTAN NASAL SPRAY in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older is 2.5 mg. As the individual response to ZOLMITRIPTAN NASAL SPRAY may vary, the dose should be adjusted on an individual basis. The maximum recommended single dose of ZOLMITRIPTAN NASAL SPRAY is 5 mg. If the migraine has not resolved by 2 hours after taking ZOLMITRIPTAN NASAL SPRAY, or returns after a transient improvement, another dose may be administered at least 2 hours after the previous dose. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 10 mg in any 24-hour period. The safety of ZOLMITRIPTAN NASAL SPRAY in the treatment of an average of more than four headaches in a 30-day period has not been established. 2.2 Dosing in Patients with Hepatic Impairment ZOLMITRIPTAN NASAL SPRAY is not recommended in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment because of increased zolmitriptan blood levels in these patients and elevation of blood pressure in some of these patients. The recommended dosage of ZOLMITRIPTAN NASAL SPRAY in patients with mild hepatic impairment is the same as for patients with normal hepatic function [see Dosage and Administration (2.1) , Warnings and Precautions…

Zolmitriptan side effects

The following adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of labeling: Myocardial Ischemia, Myocardial Infarction, and Prinzmetal's Angina [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Arrhythmias [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Chest, Throat, Neck and/or Jaw Pain/Tightness/Pressure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] Cerebrovascular Events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)] Other Vasospasm Reactions [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)] Medication Overuse Headache [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Serotonin Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] Increase in Blood Pressure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] The most common adverse reactions (≥ 5% and > placebo) were: Adults: unusual taste, paresthesia, dizziness, and hyperesthesia (6.1) Pediatrics: unusual taste (6.1) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Amneal Pharmaceuticals at 1-877-835-5472 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical studies of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical studies of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Adults Among 460 patients treating 1180 single attacks with zolmitriptan nasal spray in a blinded placebo controlled trial (Study 1), there was a…

Every zolmitriptan product we track (3)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Zolmitriptan products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Zomig	70/100	Prescription	Spray/Inhaler	Generic	$67	View →
2	Zolmitriptan	58/100	Prescription	Spray/Inhaler	Generic

What zolmitriptan pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Zolmitriptan pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
497	2.5 mg	yellow	round	—
498	5 mg	pink	round	—
497	2.5 mg	yellow	round	—
498	5 mg	pink	round	—
F7	2.5 mg	white	round	—
F11	5 mg	white

Frequently asked questions

What is zolmitriptan?: ZOLMITRIPTAN NASAL SPRAY contains zolmitriptan, which is a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine 1B/1D (5-HT 1B/1D ) receptor agonist. Zolmitriptan is chemically designated as (S)-4-[[3-[2-(dimethylamino) ethyl]-1H-indol-5-yl]methyl]-2-oxazolidinone and has the following chemical structure: The empirical formula is C 16 H 21 N 3 O 2 , representing a molecular weight of 287.36. Zolmitriptan is a white to almost white powder that is readily soluble in water. ZOLMITRIPTAN NASAL SPRAY is supplied as a clear to pale yellow solution of zolmitriptan, buffered to a pH 5.0. Each ZOLMITRIPTAN NASAL SPRAY contains 2.5 mg or 5 mg of zolmitriptan in a 100-μL unit dose aqueous buffered solution containing citric acid, anhydrous, USP, disodium phosphate dodecahydrate USP and purified water USP. ZOLMITRIPTAN NASAL SPRAY is hypertonic. The osmolarity of ZOLMITRIPTAN NASAL SPRAY for 2.5 mg is 360 to 420 mOsmol, and for 5 mg is 420 to 470 mOsmol. Chemical Structure
What kind of drug is zolmitriptan?: The FDA classifies zolmitriptan as a serotonin-1b and serotonin-1d receptor agonist. These migraine drugs (triptans) switch on serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptors: they tighten the dilated blood vessels around the brain and quiet the trigeminal nerve pathway, blocking the release of pain-signaling molecules that drive a migraine attack. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take zolmitriptan with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run zolmitriptan against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is zolmitriptan sold under?: We track 3 zolmitriptan-containing products in the U.S.: Zomig, Zolmitriptan and Zomig-Zmt. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.

Who shouldn’t take zolmitriptan

Zolmitriptan is contraindicated in patients with: Ischemic coronary artery disease (angina pectoris, history of myocardial infarction, or documented silent ischemia), other significant underlying cardiovascular disease, or coronary artery vasospasm including Prinzmetal's angina [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome or arrhythmias associated with other cardiac accessory conduction pathway disorders [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] History of stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or history of hemiplegic or basilar migraine because these patients are at higher risk of stroke [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Ischemic bowel disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Uncontrolled hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Recent use (i.e., within 24 hours) of another 5-HT 1 agonist, ergotamine-containing medication, or ergot-type medication (such as dihydroergotamine or methysergide) [see Drug Interactions (7.1 , 7.3) ] Concurrent administration of an MAO-A inhibitor or recent discontinuation of a MAO-A inhibitor (that is within 2 weeks) [see Drug Interactions (7.2) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] Known hypersensitivity to zolmitriptan (angioedema and anaphylaxis seen) [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) ] History of ischemic heart disease or coronary artery…

Zolmitriptan drug interactions

If co-administered with cimetidine: Maximum single dose of 2.5 mg, not to exceed 5 mg in any 24-hour period. (2.3 , 7.4) 7.1 Ergot-containing drugs Ergot-containing drugs have been reported to cause prolonged vasospastic reactions. Because these effects may be additive, use of ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medications (like dihydroergotamine or methysergide) and zolmitriptan within 24 hours of each other is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4) ] . 7.2 MAO-A Inhibitors MAO-A inhibitors increase the systemic exposure of zolmitriptan. Therefore, the use of zolmitriptan in patients receiving MAO-A inhibitors is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 7.3 5-HT 1B/1D agonists (e.g. triptans) Concomitant use of other 5-HT 1B/1D agonists (including triptans) within 24 hours of zolmitriptan treatment is contraindicated because the risk of vasospastic reactions may be additive [see Contraindications (4) ] . 7.4 Cimetidine Following administration of cimetidine, the half-life and AUC of zolmitriptan and its active metabolites were approximately doubled [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . If cimetidine and zolmitriptan are used concomitantly, limit the maximum single dose of zolmitriptan to 2.5 mg, not to exceed 5 mg in any 24-hour period [see Dosage and Administration (2.3) and Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 7.5 Selective Serotonin…