Naratriptan Drug Information
Generic name: NARATRIPTAN
Uses of Naratriptan
Naratriptan tablets are indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults. Limitations of Use: Use only if a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established. If a patient has no response to the first migraine attack treated with naratriptan tablets reconsider the diagnosis of migraine before naratriptan tablets are administered to treat any subsequent attacks.
Naratriptan tablets are not indicated for the prevention of migraine attacks. Safety and effectiveness of naratriptan tablets have not been established for cluster headache. Naratriptan Tablets are serotonin (5-HT 1B/1D ) receptor agonists (triptan) indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults.
Limitations of Use: Use only if a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established. Not indicated for the prophylactic therapy of migraine attacks. Not indicated for the treatment of cluster headache.
Dosage & Administration of Naratriptan
Dosing Information
The recommended dose of naratriptan tablets is 1 mg or 2.5 mg. If the migraine returns or if the patient has only partial response, the dose may be repeated once after 4 hours, for a maximum dose of 5 mg in a 24-hour period. The safety of treating an average of more than 4 migraine attacks in a 30-day period has not been established.
Dosage Adjustment in Patients With Renal Impairment Naratriptan tablets are contraindicated in
patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance: <15 mL/min) because of decreased clearance of the drug. In patients with mild to moderate renal impairment, the maximum daily dose should not exceed 2.5 mg over a 24-hour period and a 1-mg starting dose is recommended.
Dosage Adjustment in Patients With Hepatic Impairment Naratriptan tablets are contraindicated in
patients with severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Grade C) because of decreased clearance. In patients with mild or moderate hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh Grade A or B), the maximum daily dose should not exceed 2.5 mg over a 24-hour period and a 1-mg starting dose is recommended.
Side Effects of Naratriptan
Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In a long-term open-label trial where patients were allowed to treat multiple migraine attacks for up to 1 year, 15 patients (3.6%) discontinued treatment due to adverse reactions. In controlled clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions were paresthesias, dizziness, drowsiness, malaise/fatigue, and throat/neck symptoms, which occurred at a rate of 2% and at least 2 times placebo rate.
Table 1 lists the adverse reactions that occurred in 5 placebo-controlled clinical trials of approximately 1,752 exposures to placebo and naratriptan tablets in adult patients with migraine. Only reactions that occurred at a frequency of 2% or more in groups treated with naratriptan tablets 2.5 mg and that occurred at a frequency greater than the placebo group in the 5 pooled trials are included in Table 1. Table 1. Adverse Reactions Reported by at Least 2% of Patients Treated With Naratriptan Tablets and at a Frequency Greater Than Placebo Adverse Reaction Percent of Patients Reporting Naratriptan Tablets 1 mg (n = 627) Naratriptan Tablets 2.5 mg (n = 627) Placebo (n = 498) Atypical sensation 2 4 1 Paresthesias (all types) 1 2 <1 Gastrointestinal 6 7 5 Nausea 4 5 4 Neurological 4 7 3 Dizziness 1 2 1 Drowsiness 1 2 <1 Malaise/fatigue 2 2 1 Pain and pressure sensation 2 4 2 Throat/neck symptoms 1 2 1 The incidence of adverse reactions in controlled clinical trials was not affected by age or weight of the patients, duration of headache prior to treatment, presence of aura, use of prophylactic medications, or tobacco use. There were insufficient data to assess the impact of race on the incidence of adverse reactions.
Warnings & Cautions for Naratriptan
Myocardial Ischemia, Myocardial Infarction, and Prinzmetal's Angina Naratriptan is contraindicated in patients
with ischemic or vasospastic CAD. There have been rare reports of serious cardiac adverse reactions, including acute myocardial infarction, occurring within a few hours following administration of naratriptan. Some of these reactions occurred in patients without known CAD. Naratriptan may cause coronary artery vasospasm (Prinzmetal's angina), even in patients without a history of CAD. Perform a cardiovascular evaluation in triptan-naive patients who have multiple cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., increased age, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, obesity, strong family history of CAD) prior to receiving naratriptan. If there is evidence of CAD or coronary artery vasospasm, naratriptan is contraindicated.
For patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors who have a negative cardiovascular evaluation, consider administering the first dose of naratriptan in a medically supervised setting and performing an electrocardiogram (ECG) immediately following administration of naratriptan. For such patients, consider periodic cardiovascular evaluation in intermittent long-term users of naratriptan.
Arrhythmias Life-threatening disturbances of cardiac rhythm, including ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation
leading to death, have been reported within a few hours following the administration of 5-HT 1 agonists. Discontinue naratriptan if these disturbances occur. Naratriptan is contraindicated in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or arrhythmias associated with other cardiac accessory conduction pathway disorders.
Chest, Throat, Neck, and/or Jaw Pain/Tightness/Pressure Sensations of tightness, pain, and pressure
in the chest, throat, neck, and jaw commonly occur after treatment with naratriptan and are usually non-cardiac in origin. However, perform a cardiac evaluation if these patients are at high cardiac risk. 5-HT 1 agonists, including naratriptan, are contraindicated in patients with CAD and those with Prinzmetal's variant angina.
Cerebrovascular Events Cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and stroke have occurred in patients
treated with 5-HT 1 agonists, and some have resulted in fatalities. In a number of cases, it appears possible that the cerebrovascular events were primary, the 5-HT 1 agonist having been administered in the incorrect belief that the symptoms experienced were a consequence of migraine when they were not. Also, patients with migraine may be at increased risk of certain cerebrovascular events (e.g., stroke, hemorrhage, TIA). Discontinue naratriptan if a cerebrovascular event occurs.
Before treating headaches in patients not previously diagnosed as migraineurs, and in migraineurs who present with symptoms atypical for migraine, exclude other potentially serious neurological conditions. Naratriptan is contraindicated in patients with a history of stroke or TIA.
Other Vasospasm Reactions Naratriptan may cause non-coronary vasospastic reactions, such as peripheral
vascular ischemia, gastrointestinal vascular ischemia and infarction (presenting with abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea), splenic infarction, and Raynaud's syndrome. In patients who experience symptoms or signs suggestive of non-coronary vasospasm reaction following the use of any 5-HT 1 agonist, rule out a vasospastic reaction before receiving additional doses of naratriptan. Reports of transient and permanent blindness and significant partial vision loss have been reported with the use of 5-HT 1 agonists.
Since visual disorders may be part of a migraine attack, a causal relationship between these events and the use of 5-HT 1 agonists have not been clearly established.
Medication Overuse Headache Overuse of acute migraine drugs (e.g., ergotamine, triptans, opioids
or combination of these drugs for 10 or more days per month) may lead to exacerbation of headache (medication overuse headache). Medication overuse headache may present as migraine-like daily headaches or as a marked increase in frequency of migraine attacks. Detoxification of patients, including withdrawal of the overused drugs, and treatment of withdrawal symptoms (which often includes a transient worsening of headache) may be necessary.
Serotonin Syndrome
Serotonin syndrome may occur with naratriptan, particularly during co-administration with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. Serotonin syndrome symptoms may include mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, hyperthermia), neuromuscular aberrations (e.g., hyperreflexia, incoordination), and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). The onset of symptoms usually occurs within minutes to hours of receiving a new or a greater dose of a serotonergic medication. Discontinue naratriptan if serotonin syndrome is suspected.
Increase in Blood Pressure Significant elevation in blood pressure, including hypertensive crisis
with acute impairment of organ systems, has been reported on rare occasions in patients treated with 5-HT 1 agonists, including patients without a history of hypertension. Monitor blood pressure in patients treated with naratriptan. Naratriptan is contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled hypertension.
Anaphylactic Reactions
There have been reports of anaphylaxis and hypersensitivity reactions, including angioedema, in patients receiving naratriptan. Such reactions can be life threatening or fatal. In general, anaphylactic reactions to drugs are more likely to occur in individuals with a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens.
Naratriptan is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity reaction to naratriptan.
Drug Interactions with Naratriptan
Ergot-Containing Drugs Ergot-containing drugs have been reported to cause prolonged vasospastic reactions.
Because these effects may be additive, use of ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medications (like dihydroergotamine or methysergide) and naratriptan within 24 hours of each other is contraindicated.
Other 5-HT 1 Agonists
Concomitant use of other 5-HT 1B/1D agonists (including triptans) within 24 hours of treatment with naratriptan is contraindicated because the risk of vasospastic reactions may be additive.
Selective
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors and Serotonin Syndrome Cases of serotonin syndrome have been reported during co-administration of triptans and SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, and MAO inhibitors.
Pregnancy Safety for Naratriptan
Pregnancy Risk Summary There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with use of naratriptan in pregnant women. Data from a prospective pregnancy exposure registry and epidemiological studies of pregnant women have documented outcomes in women exposed to naratriptan during pregnancy; however, due to small sample sizes, no definitive conclusions can be drawn regarding the risk of birth defects following exposure to naratriptan. In animal studies, naratriptan produced developmental toxicity (including embryolethality and fetal abnormalities) when administered to pregnant rats and rabbits.
The lowest doses producing evidence of developmental toxicity in animals were associated with plasma exposures 2.5 (rabbit) to 11 (rat) times that in humans at the maximum recommended daily dose (MRDD). In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and of miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. The reported rate of major birth defects among deliveries to women with migraine ranged from 2.2% to 2.9% and of miscarriage was 17%, which were similar to rates reported in women without migraine. Clinical Considerations Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk Several studies have suggested that women with migraine may be at increased risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy.
Data Human Data : The numbers of exposed pregnancy outcomes accumulated during the Sumatriptan/Naratriptan/ Treximet® (sumatriptan and naproxen sodium) Pregnancy Registry, a population-based international prospective study that collected data from October 1997 to September 2012, and smaller observational studies, were insufficient to define a level of risk for naratriptan in pregnant women. The Registry documented outcomes of 57 infants and fetuses exposed to naratriptan during pregnancy (52 exposed during the first trimester and 5 exposed during the second trimester). The occurrence of major birth defects (excluding fetal deaths and induced abortions without reported defects and all spontaneous pregnancy losses) during first-trimester exposure to naratriptan was 2.2% (1/46 ) and during any trimester of exposure was 2.0% (1/51). Seven infants were exposed to both naratriptan and sumatriptan in utero, and one of these infants with first-trimester exposure was born with a major birth defect (ventricular septal defect). The sample size in this study had 80% power to detect at least a 3.8- to 4.6- fold increase in the rate of major malformations. In a study using data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register, women who used triptans or ergots during pregnancy were compared with women who did not.
Of the 22 births with first-trimester exposure to naratriptan, one infant was born with malformation (congenital deformity of the hand). Animal Data : When naratriptan was administered to pregnant rats during the period of organogenesis at doses of 10, 60, or 340 mg/kg/day, there was a dose-related increase in embryonic death; incidences of fetal structural variations (incomplete/irregular ossification of skull bones, sternebrae, ribs) were increased at all doses. The maternal plasma exposures (AUC) at these doses were approximately 11, 70, and 470 times the exposure in humans at the MRDD. The high dose was maternally toxic, as evidenced by decreased maternal body weight gain during gestation. A no-effect dose for developmental toxicity in rats exposed during organogenesis was not established.
When naratriptan was administered orally (1, 5, or 30 mg/kg/day) to pregnant Dutch rabbits throughout organogenesis, the incidence of a specific fetal skeletal malformation (fused sternebrae) was increased at the high dose, the incidence of fetal variations (major blood vessel variations, supernumerary ribs, incomplete skeletal ossification) was increased at the mid and high doses, and embryonic death was increased at all doses (4, 20, and 120 times, respectively, the MRDD on a body surface area basis). Maternal toxicity (decreased body weight gain) was evident at the high dose. In a similar study in New Zealand White rabbits (1, 5, or 30 mg/kg/day throughout organogenesis), decreased fetal weights and increased incidences of fetal skeletal variations were observed at all doses (maternal exposures equivalent to 2.5, 19, and 140 times exposure in humans receiving the MRDD), while maternal body weight gain was reduced at 5 mg/kg or greater. A no-effect dose for developmental toxicity in rabbits exposed during organogenesis was not established.
When female rats were treated orally with naratriptan (10, 60, or 340 mg/kg/day) during late gestation and lactation, offspring behavioral impairment (tremors) and decreased offspring viability and growth were observed at doses of 60 mg/kg or greater, while maternal toxicity occurred only at the highest dose. Maternal exposures at the no-effect dose for developmental effects in this study were approximately 11 times the exposure in humans receiving the MRDD.
Pediatric Use of Naratriptan
Pediatric Use Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. Therefore, naratriptan is not recommended for use in patients younger than18 years of age. One controlled clinical trial evaluated naratriptan tablets (0.25 to 2.5 mg) in 300 adolescent migraineurs aged 12 to 17 years who received at least 1 dose of naratriptan tablets for an acute migraine.
In this study, 54% of the patients were female and 89% were Caucasian. There were no statistically significant differences between any of the treatment groups. The headache response rates at 4 hours (n) were 65% (n = 74), 67% (n = 78), and 64% (n = 70) for placebo, 1-mg, and 2.5-mg groups, respectively.
This trial did not establish the efficacy of naratriptan compared with placebo in the treatment of migraine in adolescents. Adverse reactions observed in this clinical trial were similar in nature to those reported in clinical trials in adults.
Contraindications for Naratriptan
Naratriptan tablets are contraindicated in patients with: Ischemic coronary artery disease (CAD) (angina pectoris, history of myocardial infarction, or documented silent ischemia) or coronary artery vasospasm, including Prinzmetal's angina Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or arrhythmias associated with other cardiac accessory conduction pathway disorders History of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) or history of hemiplegic or basilar migraine because such patients are at a higher risk of stroke Peripheral vascular disease Ischemic bowel disease Uncontrolled hypertension Recent use (i.e., within 24 hours) of another 5-HT 1 agonist, ergotamine-containing medication, ergot-type medication (such as dihydroergotamine or methysergide) Hypersensitivity to naratriptan (angioedema and anaphylaxis seen) Severe renal or hepatic impairment History of coronary artery disease or coronary artery vasospasm Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or other cardiac accessory conduction pathway disorders History of stroke, transient ischemic attack, or hemiplegic or basilar migraine Peripheral vascular disease Ischemic bowel disease Uncontrolled hypertension Recent (within 24 hours) use of another 5-HT 1 agonist (e.g., another triptan) or an ergotamine-containing medication Hypersensitivity to naratriptan (angioedema and anaphylaxis seen) Severe renal or hepatic impairment
Overdosage Information for Naratriptan
Adverse reactions observed after overdoses of up to 25 mg included increases in blood pressure resulting in lightheadedness, neck tension, tiredness, and loss of coordination. Also, ischemic ECG changes likely due to coronary artery vasospasm have been reported. The elimination half-life of naratriptan is about 6 hours, and therefore monitoring of patients after overdose with naratriptan should continue for at least 24 hours or while symptoms or signs persist.
There is no specific antidote to naratriptan. It is unknown what effect hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis has on the serum concentrations of naratriptan.
Clinical Studies of Naratriptan
The efficacy of naratriptan in the acute treatment of migraine headaches was evaluated in 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in adult patients (Trials 1, 2, 3). These trials enrolled adult patients who were predominantly female (86%) and Caucasian (96%) with a mean age of 41 years (range: 18 to 65 years). In all studies, patients were instructed to treat at least 1 moderate to severe headache. Headache response, defined as a reduction in headache severity from moderate or severe pain to mild or no pain, was assessed up to 4 hours after dosing. Associated symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia were also assessed.
Maintenance of response was assessed for up to 24 hours postdose. A second dose of naratriptan tablets or other rescue medication to treat migraines was allowed 4 to 24 hours after the initial treatment for recurrent headache. In all 3 trials, the percentage of patients achieving headache response 4 hours after treatment, the primary outcome measure, was significantly greater among patients receiving naratriptan tablets compared with those who received placebo.
In all trials, response to 2.5 mg was numerically greater than response to 1 mg and in the largest of the 3 trials, there was a statistically significant greater percentage of patients with headache response at 4 hours in the 2.5-mg group compared Table 2. Percentage of Adult Patients With Headache Response (Mild or No Headache) 4 Hours Following Treatment Naratriptan Tablets 1 mg (n =491) Naratriptan Tablets 2.5 mg (n = 493) Placebo (n = 395) Trial 1 50% a 60% a 34% Trial 2 52% a 66% ab 27% Trial 3 54% a 65% a 32% a P <0.05 compared with placebo. b P <0.05 compared with 1 mg. The estimated probability of achieving an initial headache response in adults over the 4 hours following treatment in pooled Trials 1, 2, and 3 is depicted in Figure 1. Figure 1. Estimated Probability of Achieving Initial Headache Response Within 4 Hours in Pooled Trials 1, 2, and 3 a a The figure shows the probability over time of obtaining headache response (reduction in headache severity from moderate or severe pain to no or mild pain) following treatment with naratriptan tablets. In this Kaplan-Meier plot, patients not achieving response within 240 minutes were censored at 240 minutes.
For patients with migraine-associated nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia at baseline, there was a lower incidence of these symptoms 4 hours following administration of 1-mg and 2.5-mg naratriptan tablets compared with placebo. Four to 24 hours following the initial dose of study treatment, patients were allowed to use additional treatment for pain relief in the form of a second dose of study treatment or other rescue medication. The estimated probability of patients taking a second dose or other rescue medication to treat migraine over the 24 hours following the initial dose of study treatment is summarized in Figure 2. Figure 2. Estimated Probability of Patients Taking a Second Dose of Naratriptan Tablets or Other Medication to Treat Migraine Over the 24 Hours Following the Initial Dose of Study Treatment in Pooled Trials 1, 2 and 3 a a Kaplan-Meier plot based on data obtained in the 3 controlled clinical trials (Trials 1, 2, and 3) providing evidence of efficacy with patients not using additional treatments censored at 24 hours.
The plot also includes patients who had no response to the initial dose. Remedication was discouraged prior to 4 hours postdose. There is no evidence that doses of 5 mg provided a greater effect than 2.5 mg.
There was no evidence to suggest that treatment with naratriptan was associated with an increase in the severity or frequency of migraine attacks. The efficacy of naratriptan was unaffected by presence of aura; gender, age, or weight of the subject; oral contraceptive use; or concomitant use of common migraine prophylactic drugs (e.g., beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants). There was insufficient data to assess the impact of race on efficacy. figa figb
Drug information sourced from the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before making any medication decisions.
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