Lasmiditan is a type of drug called a ditan. It is an abortive migraine medication, which means it is used to help treat a migraine attack rather than prevent a migraine headache. Lasmiditan comes as a tablet.

In 2020, lasmiditan was the first ditan to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Lasmiditan works by blocking the pain pathways in the brain. It is a serotonin (5-HT)_1F receptor agonist, but its exact mechanism of action is unknown.

Unlike triptans, which are the gold-standard of treatment for migraines, lasmiditan does not constrict blood vessels in the heart and brain.

What is lasmiditan used for?

Lasmiditan is a prescription medicine used for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in adults.

• Lasmiditan is not used as a preventive treatment of migraine.
• It is not known if lasmiditan is safe and effective in children.
• Lasmiditan is a federally controlled substance (CV) because it contains lasmiditan that can be abused. Keep lasmiditan in a safe place to protect it from theft. Never give your lasmiditan to anyone else, because it may harm them. Selling or giving away lasmiditan is against the law. Tell your healthcare provider if you have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines or street drugs.

• Do not drive or operate machinery for at least 8 hours after you take lasmiditan, even if you feel well enough.
• You should not take lasmiditan if you cannot wait at least 8 hours between taking lasmiditan and driving or operating machinery.

• Take lasmiditan exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.
• Your healthcare provider may change your dose. Do not change your dose without first talking to your healthcare provider.
• Take lasmiditan tablets by mouth with or without food.
• Swallow lasmiditan tablets whole. Do not split, crush, or chew.
• Do not take more than one dose in a 24-hour period.
  • If you take lasmiditan 50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg, and your headache goes away but comes back, you should not take a second dose within 24 hours.
• Some people who take too many lasmiditan tablets may have worse headaches (medication overuse headache). If your headaches get worse, your healthcare provider may decide to stop your treatment with lasmiditan.
• You should write down when you have headaches and when you take lasmiditan so you can talk to your healthcare provider about how lasmiditan is working for you.

• The recommended dose of lasmiditan is 50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg taken orally, as needed.
• No more than one dose should be taken in 24 hours.
• Administer tablets whole.

Before you take lasmiditan, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

• have liver problems
• have high blood pressure
• have a low heart rate
• are allergic to lasmiditan

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Do not drive or operate machinery for at least 8 hours after taking lasmiditan.

You should not drink alcohol or take other medicines that make you drowsy while taking lasmiditan.

Lasmiditan can cause serious side effects including:

• See “Important information”
• serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a rare but serious problem that can happen in people using lasmiditan, especially if lasmiditan is used with anti-depressant medicines called SSRIs or SNRIs. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome:
  • mental changes such as seeing things that are not there (hallucinations), agitation, or coma
  • fast heartbeat
  • changes in blood pressure
  • high body temperature
  • tight muscles
  • trouble walking
  • nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• medication overuse headache. Some people who take medicines like lasmiditan for the acute treatment of migraine attacks for 10 or more days each month may have worse headaches (medication overuse headache). If your headaches get worse, your healthcare provider may decide to stop your treatment with lasmiditan.

The most common side effects of lasmiditan include:

• dizziness
• sleepiness
• numbness
• feeling tired
• tingling

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all of the possible side effects of lasmiditan. For more information ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects to Lilly at 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979).

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Your healthcare provider will decide if you can take lasmiditan with your other medicines.

Especially, tell your healthcare provider if you take:

• propranolol or other medicines that can lower your heart rate
• any medicines that can increase your blood pressure
• any medicines that make you sleepy
• anti-depressant medicines called:
  • selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
  • serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
  • tricyclic anti-depressants (TCAs)
  • monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are not sure.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them and show it to your healthcare provider or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your doctor may monitor your blood pressure and heart rate during your treatment with lasmiditan.

You should keep a headache diary by writing down when you have headaches and when you take lasmiditan.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Lasmiditan is a controlled substance. Prescriptions may be refilled only a limited number of times; ask your pharmacist if you have any questions.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.