Axert is used to treat migraine attacks in adults. Axert is in a class of drugs called selective serotonin receptor agonists. Axert is not used for preventing migraines.

Take Axert only for a migraine attack. Do not use Axert to treat headaches that might be caused by other conditions. Tell your doctor about your symptoms. Your doctor will decide if you have migraine.

Who should not take Axert? 

Do not take Axert if you:

• have ever had heart disease.
• have uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• have hemiplegic or basilar migraine. If you are not sure, ask your doctor.
• have taken another serotonin receptor agonist medication in the last 24 hours. These include naratriptan (AMERGE™), rizatriptan (MAXALT®), sumatriptan (IMITREX®), or zolmitriptan (ZOMIG™).
• have taken ergotamine-type medicines in the last 24 hours. These include ergotamine (BELLERGAL-S®, CAFERGOT®, ERGOMAR®, WIGRAINE®), dihydro-ergotamine (D.H.E. 45®), or methysergide (SANSERT®).

General Precautions:

Check with your doctor before you take any new medicines, including prescription and non-prescription medicines and supplements. There are some medicines that you should not take during the period 24 hours before and 24 hours after taking Axert. Some of them are listed in the section "Who should not take Axert?"

What should I tell my doctor or health care provider?

Tell your health care provider:

• if you take monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, such as phenelzine sulfate (NARDIL®) or tranylcypromine sulfate (PARNATE®) for depression or another condition, or if it has been less than two weeks since you stopped taking a MAO inhibitor.
• if you take ketoconazole (NIZORAL®), itraconazole (SPORANOX®), ritonavir (NORVIR®), or erythromycin (EMYCIN®), or if it has been less than one week since you stopped taking one of these drugs.
• about any other medicines you may be taking, including non-prescription medicines.
• if you smoke cigarettes

These medicines may affect how Axert works. Also Axert may affect how these medicines work.

To help your doctor decide if Axert is right for your or if you need to be checked while taking Axert, tell your doctor if you ever had or have:

• high blood pressure, chest pain, shortness of breath, or heart disease
• family members with heart disease
• liver or kidney problems
• diabetes
• high cholesterol
• plans to become pregnant, or if you are pregnant, might be pregnant, or do not use effective birth control
• plans to breast-feed, or if you are already breast-feeding a baby

What are some possible side effects of Axert? (This is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Axert. Your health care provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.)

Axert is generally well tolerated. The side effects are usually mild and do not last long.

The most common side effects are:

• Nausea
• Sleepiness
• Tingling or burning feeling
• Headache
• Dry mouth
  

For more detailed information about Axert, ask your health care provider.

Posted 7/31/01