Frovatriptan
Generic Frova
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 2.5mg
- • 9 Tablets
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Rosanna Sutherby, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Amber Watson, PharmD
Updated on October 3, 2023
Frovatriptan (froe va TRIP tan) is a generic medication prescribed for treating migraine headaches. Frovatriptan belongs to a group of drugs called serotonin receptor agonists or triptans.
FAQ
Common questions about frovatriptan
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about frovatriptan.
Can frovatriptan be used for weight loss or menstrual migraine?
No. Frovatriptan is not approved for weight loss or menstrual migraine.
However, doctors may prescribe this drug off-label for these uses. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved for.
If you want to learn more about taking frovatriptan for weight loss or menstrual migraine, talk with your doctor.
How does frovatriptan compare with sumatriptan?
Frovatriptan and sumatriptan (Imitrex, Tosymra, others) are both medications used to treat migraine headaches. They belong to the same group of drugs called serotonin receptor agonists or triptans.
Frovatriptan and sumatriptan are both available as an oral tablet. However, sumatriptan is also available as a nasal spray, nasal powder, and an injection given under your skin. In addition to treating migraine headaches, sumatriptan injection is also approved to treat cluster headaches.
Both drugs work the same way and have similar side effects. However, some interactions may be different with each drug. For example, certain drugs called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) should not be taken with sumatriptan. However, these are generally safe to take with frovatriptan.
If you have more questions about how frovatriptan and sumatriptan compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is frovatriptan a narcotic?
No. Frovatriptan is not a narcotic. Narcotics are a type of pain medication that contains an opioid.
Frovatriptan is not an opioid. Instead, it belongs to the group of drugs called triptans. Certain other medications used to treat headaches may contain an opioid. One example is the combination of butalbital, acetaminophen, caffeine, and codeine (Fioricet with codeine).
If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How does frovatriptan work? And how long does it take to start working?
Frovatriptan works by attaching to serotonin receptors in the blood vessels and nerves inside your head. This helps to reduce swelling in your blood vessels, which is thought to cause pain with migraine headaches.
Frovatriptan starts working within about 2 hours after you take your dose.
If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Side effects
Side effects of frovatriptan
Frovatriptan may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of frovatriptan and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about frovatriptan’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for frovatriptan listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with some forms of frovatriptan are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about frovatriptan’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for frovatriptan listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Frovatriptan oral tablet’s mild side effects include:
- dizziness
- headache
- dry mouth
- upset stomach
- mild allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for frovatriptan” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of frovatriptan are listed below.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about frovatriptan’s side effects, refer to the prescribing information for frovatriptan listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, frovatriptan’s serious side effects include:
- serotonin syndrome
- pressure or pain in the jaw, neck, throat, or chest
- heart and blood vessel problems, including heart attack, irregular heartbeat, and stroke
- severe high blood pressure
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for frovatriptan” section.
Uses
Uses of frovatriptan
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as frovatriptan for certain conditions. Approved uses for frovatriptan are described below.
Use for migraine
Doctors may prescribe frovatriptan tablet for treating migraine headaches. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.
With migraine headaches, you have intense pain on one side of or all over your head. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light or sound.
Some people may have certain vision problems or sensations before a migraine headache begins. These are called auras. Symptoms can include:
- seeing flickering or flashing lights
- temporary partial loss of vision
- numbness
- feeling a tingling sensation in your hand, arm, or face
Doctors may not prescribe frovatriptan tablet in certain situations, such as to help prevent migraine headaches or to treat cluster headaches.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for frovatriptan
Below, you’ll find information about frovatriptan’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of frovatriptan
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take frovatriptan, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for frovatriptan” section below.
Warnings for frovatriptan
Some people should not take frovatriptan, and others should take it cautiously.
Frovatriptan could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether frovatriptan is a safe option for you.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for frovatriptan, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Frovatriptan can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to frovatriptan or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe frovatriptan. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to frovatriptan, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of frovatriptan
You should not take more frovatriptan than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much frovatriptan, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and frovatriptan
Information about frovatriptan and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Frovatriptan and pregnancy
It’s not known whether frovatriptan should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Frovatriptan and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether frovatriptan should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know if you have questions about frovatriptan or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- What should I do if my headache does not go away after taking my frovatriptan dose?
- Do I need to take frovatriptan with food?
- Is frovatriptan safe to take if I have liver problems?
Resources
Resources
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
- Frovatriptan- frovatriptan succinate tablet, film coated. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/92c91060-c06e-4a8a-b586-a3fb25c33433/spl-doc
- Kelman L. (2008). Review of frovatriptan in the treatment of migraine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2515913/
- Li L, et al. (2022). Delineating a serotonin 1B receptor circuit for appetite suppression in mice. https://rupress.org/jem/article/219/8/e20212307/213337/Delineating-a-serotonin-1B-receptor-circuit-for
- MacGregor EA. (2014). A review of frovatriptan for the treatment of menstrual migraine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4039425/
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
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