What are the commonly used triptan medications for acute migraine treatment?

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Triptans Available for Acute Migraine Treatment

Seven triptans are currently available and recommended for acute migraine treatment: almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, and zolmitriptan. 1

Complete List of Triptans

The following triptans are FDA-approved and clinically available:

  • Almotriptan
  • Eletriptan
  • Frovatriptan
  • Naratriptan
  • Rizatriptan
  • Sumatriptan (available in multiple formulations: oral tablets, subcutaneous injection, nasal spray)
  • Zolmitriptan (available as tablets and orally disintegrating tablets/ODT)

1, 2, 3

Available Formulations

Triptans come in various delivery systems to accommodate different clinical scenarios:

  • Oral tablets: All seven triptans
  • Orally disintegrating tablets (ODT): Rizatriptan and zolmitriptan
  • Nasal spray: Sumatriptan and zolmitriptan
  • Subcutaneous injection: Sumatriptan

4

Clinical Context

Choice of specific triptan should be based on individualized factors including route of administration preference and cost. 1 Patients who do not respond adequately to one triptan may respond to another within the same class, so switching between triptans is a reasonable strategy. 1

For severe nausea or vomiting, consider using a nonoral triptan formulation (such as subcutaneous sumatriptan or nasal spray formulations) combined with an antiemetic. 1

References

3
Research

Acute Migraine Treatment.

Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.), 2015

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