What Is Naratriptan Used For?

Some people may wonder, "What is naratriptan used for?" Although naratriptan cannot prevent migraines from occurring, it can relieve the symptoms of a migraine headache as it occurs. Naratriptan has only been approved for use in adults -- the medication does not appear to be effective for treating children with migraines. Although it has not been approved for this use, naratriptan may be used for treating cluster headaches.

Naratriptan Hydrochloride

What Is Naratriptan Used For?

Naratriptan hydrochloride (Amerge^®) is a prescription medication used to treat migraine headaches.

Using Naratriptan for Migraines

Migraine headaches are different from other headaches in many ways. Some of the most common migraine symptoms include:

Headache pain on one side of the head
Sensitivity to light or sound
Throbbing headache pain
Upset stomach (nausea) and vomiting
Unusual vision changes.

Some people may have an aura before their migraines occur. An aura can be any unusual sign that a migraine is about to happen, such as vision changes, numbness, tingling, or speech changes. The most common type of an aura is visual (seeing spots, tunnel vision, or other vision changes). Some people have migraine triggers, which can include certain foods, drinks, or situations that seem to lead to a migraine (see Migraine Diet for more information).

Naratriptan is approved for migraines with or without an aura. Naratriptan is part of a class of migraine medications called 5-HT agonists (more commonly known as "triptans"). During a migraine headache, some of the blood vessels in the head become dilated (wider than they usually are). Naratriptan works by narrowing these blood vessels, helping them return to their normal state. This action helps to relieve the symptoms of a migraine.

Due to the way it works, naratriptan is not designed for migraine prevention. Naratriptan is taken to lessen the pain and other symptoms of a migraine once it starts.

(What Is Naratriptan Used For? Continued: Page 2)