Note: This document contains side effect information about zolmitriptan. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Zomig.
Summary
Common side effects of Zomig include: dysgeusia. Other side effects include: dizziness, drowsiness, hyperesthesia, jaw pain, nausea, neck pain, paresthesia, sore throat, flushing sensation, local pain, and sensation of cold. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Applies to zolmitriptan: oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating. Other dosage forms:
- nasal spray
Serious side effects of Zomig
Along with its needed effects, zolmitriptan (the active ingredient contained in Zomig) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking zolmitriptan:
More common
- Chest pain (severe)
- heaviness, tightness, or pressure in the chest or neck
- sensation of burning, warmth, heat, numbness, tightness, or tingling
Less common or rare
- Abdominal or stomach pain (severe)
- changes in facial skin color
- cough or hoarseness
- diarrhea
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- fever or chills
- hives, itching, or skin rash
- itching
- loss of appetite
- lower back or side pain
- nausea
- painful or difficult urination
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, or lips
- tightness in the chest
- trouble breathing
- weakness
Rare
- Blurred vision
- confusion
- difficulty swallowing
- dizziness
- fainting
- frequent strong or increased urge to urinate
- headache
- increased volume of pale, dilute urine
- nervousness
- pounding in the ears
- severe numbness, especially on one side of the face or body
- slow heartbeat
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Incidence not known
- Large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
Other side effects of Zomig
Some side effects of zolmitriptan may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
- Lack or loss of strength
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- warm or cold sensation
Less common
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- dry mouth
- feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- sensation of spinning
Rare
- Anxiety
- crying
- depersonalization
- depression
- dysphoria
- euphoria
- hyperventilation
- irritability
- loss of memory
- paranoia
- problems with memory
- quick to react or overreact emotionally
- rapidly changing moods
- redness of the skin
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- shaking
- trouble sleeping
- welts
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to zolmitriptan: nasal spray, oral tablet, oral tablet disintegrating.
Cardiovascular
Rare reports of serious cardiac adverse events have been reported including acute myocardial infarction within a few hours following administration of this drug.
Chest pain/tightness/pressure and/or heaviness appear to be dose-related occurring in 2%, 3%, and 4% of patients receiving 1 mg, 2.5 mg, and 5 mg, respectively. Neck/throat/jaw pain/tightness/pressure occurred in 4%, 7%, and 10% of patients, respectively.[Ref]
Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain/tightness/pressure and/or heaviness, neck/throat/jaw pain/tightness/pressure, palpitations
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arrhythmias, hypertension, syncope, tachycardia
Rare (less than 0.1%): Angina pectoris, myocardial infarct, coronary vasospasm, QT prolongation, thrombophlebitis[Ref]
Nervous system
Very Common (greater than 10%): Taste disturbances (up to 21%, inhaler)
Common (1% to 10%): Paresthesia, somnolence, dizziness, hyperesthesia
Rare (less than 0.1%): Cerebral ischemia, amnesia, convulsions, ataxia, dystonia, hyperkinesia, hypotonia, hypertonia
Frequency not reported: Serotonin syndrome[Ref]
Paresthesia appears to be a dose-related adverse event occurring in 5%, 7%, and 9% of patients receiving 1 mg, 2.5 mg, and 5 mg, respectively.[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Warm/cold sensation, heaviness other than chest or neck, pressure/tightness/heaviness, vertigo, asthenia, chills
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Tinnitus, hyperacusis, ear pain[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, dry mouth, dysphagia, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, vomiting
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Gastroenteritis, increased thirst
Rare (less than 0.1%): Stomatitis, constipation, hematemesis, pancreatitis, melena, ulcer
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Bloody diarrhea, gastrointestinal infarction or necrosis, gastrointestinal ischemic events, ischemic colitis, splenic infarction[Ref]
General
The most common adverse reactions included neck, throat, jaw pain; dizziness; paresthesia; asthenia; somnolence; warm and cold sensation; nausea; heaviness sensation; and dry mouth. In adolescents treated with the nasal spray, the more commonly reported adverse reactions included dysgeusia, nasal discomfort, dizziness, oropharyngeal pain, and nausea.[Ref]
Hematologic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): ecchymosis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leucopenia[Ref]
Metabolic
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Increased appetite, thirst
Rare (less than 0.1%): Anorexia, hyperglycemia[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Arthralgia, myalgia, muscle weakness
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Back pain, leg cramps, tenosynovitis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Arthritis, tetanus, twitching[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Disorder/discomfort of nasal cavity, throat pain, throat tightness, oropharyngeal pain
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pharyngitis, rhinitis, dyspnea, sinusitis, bronchitis, increased cough, epistaxis, laryngeal edema, hiccup, laryngitis, yawn
Rare (less than 0.1%): Apnea, voice alteration[Ref]
Hypersensitivity
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Allergic reactions
Postmarketing reports: Hypersensitivity reactions including angioedema, anaphylactic reactions and anaphylactic shock[Ref]
Ocular
Rare (less than 0.1%): Diplopia, dry eyes, lacrimation, conjunctivitis, eye pain, visual field defect[Ref]
Genitourinary
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Polyuria, urinary urgency, cystitis, hematuria
Rare (less than 0.1%): Urinary frequency, miscarriage, dysmenorrhea[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Sweating, facial edema
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urticaria, pruritus, rash, photosensitivity reaction
Rare (less than 0.1%): Angioedema[Ref]
Local
Common (1% to 10%): Local irritation or soreness at the site of administration of nasal spray
In clinical trials using the nasal spray approximately 3% (n=460) patients reported local irritation or soreness at the site of administration. Effects were severe in about 1% of patients and approximately 57% resolved in 1 hour. Nasopharyngeal examinations of a subset of patients failed to demonstrate any clinically significant changes with repeated use of the nasal spray.