If you have migraine, your doctor might suggest Zomig as a treatment option for you.

Zomig is a medication that is used to treat migraines in adults and children.

Zomig is only used to treat migraine episodes as they happen. It’s not used to prevent them. Only people who’ve been diagnosed with migraine by a healthcare professional should take this drug. It’s not used to prevent or treat cluster headaches.

The active ingredient in Zomig is zolmitriptan. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work. Zolmitriptan is also the generic for this drug.

Zomig is available.

  • A tablet that you swallow.
  • It is an oral disintegrating tablet that can be chewed on.
  • A spray of air.

The name of the form is Zomig-ZMT.

For more information about Zomig, including details about its uses, see this in-depth article on the drug.

Zomig can cause mild to serious side effects. Continue reading to learn more.

Some people may experience side effects during their Zomig treatment.

There are a few side effects reported in studies of Zomig. The side effects of the drug can be different.

In studies of Zomig tablets and orally disintegrating tablets, more common side effects included:

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

More common side effects in people taking Zomig nasal spray in studies included:

Zomig can cause mild side effects.

Mild side effects have been reported with Zomig.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

These side effects should be temporary. Some may be easy to manage. If you have any symptoms that bother you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Unless your doctor recommends it, you should not stop using Zomig.

Zomig may cause mild side effects other than the ones listed above. For details, see the Zomig prescribing information for the nasal spray and the tablets and orally disintegrating tablets.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Zomig, visit MedWatch.

Treatment with Zomig may lead to serious side effects. But these weren’t common in the studies of the drug. Having certain medical conditions increases your risk of serious side effects with Zomig. (For more information, see the “Warnings for Zomig” section below.)

There have been serious side effects reported with Zomig.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Zomig, call your doctor. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you have a medical emergency, immediately call the emergency number.

Get answers to questions about Zomig.

Can long-term use of Zomig cause side effects?

It is possible, but not likely.

Medication overuse headache can be a side effect from using Zomig too frequently. For more information on this side effect, see the “Side effects explained” section below.

Keep in mind that Zomig is only taken as needed when a migraine episode occurs. It’s not a medication that you’ll take every day.

If you have questions about long-term use of Zomig, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Does Zomig cause weight gain?

No, weight gain wasn’t a side effect reported in studies of Zomig.

Some medications may cause weight gain.

Some of these medications are used off-label to prevent or treat migraine episodes. Off-label drug use means a drug that’s been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for one purpose is used for a different purpose that has not been approved.

Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about weight gain.

Are the side effects of Zomig pills different from those of the nasal spray?

For the most part, no. Side effects reported in studies of Zomig tablets and studies of Zomig nasal spray were mostly the same.

“The side effects that weren’t reported in people using Zomig tablets were experienced by people who used the nasal spray.”

If you want to learn more about the Zomig spray and tablets, you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Some of the side effects of Zomig can be found here.

Medication overuse headache

Medication overuse headache is possible with Zomig. This is a common condition that can occur when people overuse medications such as Zomig. But this side effect wasn’t reported in studies of Zomig.

With medication overuse headache, migraine headaches occur more often than usual.

What might help

If you take less Zomig than your doctor prescribes, you can prevent headaches. If you use Zomig 10 days or more per month, you are more likely to get headaches.

If you are taking Zomig for more than 10 days a month, you should contact your doctor. They may switch you to a different drug that works to prevent headaches.

If you start having more frequent headaches while taking Zomig, you should immediately tell your doctor. They may want you to stop taking it until your headaches go away.

Pain, pressure, or tightness in your jaw, neck, or throat

You may experience pain, pressure, or tightness in your neck, jaw, or throat if you take Zomig.

In many cases, these symptoms aren’t serious. But pain, pressure, or tightness in your jaw, neck, or throat can be symptoms of a heart attack. In rare cases, Zomig can cause a heart attack (see “Heart attack” below).

What might help

If you feel pain, pressure, or tightness in your neck, jaw, or throat while taking Zomig, call your doctor. They will want to look at your symptoms further.

If your symptoms are life threatening, call the emergency room.

Zomig is usually not given to people with the following:

Blood vessel problems

Blood vessel problems can be a result of treatment with Zomig.

Blood vessel problems can vary depending on where they occur.

What might help

“If you notice blood vessel problems while taking Zomig, you should contact your doctor. They will want to look at your symptoms further. They may want to stop using Zomig for a while to figure out what’s causing your symptoms.”

If your doctor confirms you have blood vessel problems from Zomig, they will likely suggest you switch to another medication.

Heart attack

Heart attack is a rare but serious side effect Zomig may cause.

People who take Zomig are at higher risk of this side effect. People who have already had a heart problem are included.

It also includes people who have risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

* In this article, we use the terms “male” and “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

There are a number of symptoms of a heart attack.

What might help

If you think you have a heart attack, call the emergency room. This is a life threatening condition that requires hospital treatment.

Zomig is usually not prescribed to people with certain conditions due to the risk of heart attack and other heart-related side effects.

Your doctor will check your risk of cardiovascular disease and heart-related side effects before prescribing Zomig. Depending on your risk, you may take your first Zomig dose at their office, where they’ll monitor your heart using an electrocardiogram (EKG). Your doctor will also likely monitor your heart health closely while you’re taking Zomig.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Zomig can cause an allergic reaction in some people. While this side effect wasn’t reported in studies, it has occurred since the drug became available on the market.

Mild to serious symptoms can be present.

  • There is a skin rash.
  • It is itchy.
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • “It’s usually under your skin, but it can be anywhere.”
  • It can be hard to breathe if you have swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. To manage symptoms, they may suggest an over-the-counter antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine). Or they may recommend a product you apply to your skin, such as hydrocortisone cream.

If your doctor confirms you had a mild allergic reaction to Zomig, they will decide if you should continue using it.

If you have a severe allergic reaction, you should call the emergency number. These symptoms could be life threatening and need immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you had a serious allergic reaction to Zomig, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

Keep notes on any side effects you have during your Zomig treatment. You can share this information with your doctor. This is helpful when you are starting to use a combination of treatments.

Side effect notes can include things.

  • What dose of drug did you take when you had the side effect?
  • How soon did you experience the side effect?
  • What are your symptoms?
  • How did it affect your daily activities?
  • What other drugs were you taking?
  • Other information is important to you.

Sharing notes with your doctor will help them learn more about Zomig. If needed, they can use this information to adjust your treatment plan.

If you have a medical condition that affects your health, Zomig may not be right for you. Before starting Zomig, you should talk to your doctor about your health history. The list has factors to consider.

Heart problems, including high blood pressure.. that isn’t managed. Doctors usually will not prescribe Zomig to people with heart problems, including high blood pressure.. that isn’t managed. This is because Zomig can cause heart problems, such as a heart attack, which can be fatal in rare cases. (For more information, see the “Side effects explained” section above.)

If you already have heart problems, taking Zomig may worsen them. Talk with your doctor about other treatments for your migraine episodes that may be safer.

High cholesterol. Having high cholesterol increases your risk of side effects from Zomig, including heart problems. If you have high cholesterol, talk with your doctor before you begin taking Zomig. This will help your doctor to determine whether taking Zomig is safe for you.

Blood circulation problems. Doctors usually will not prescribe Zomig to people with blood circulation problems. Examples include peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and lack of blood flow to your digestive tract or spleen. This is because Zomig can cause blood circulation problems. If you already have such problems, Zomig can worsen them. In this case, your doctor will recommend other treatments for your migraine headaches.

Tobacco use. Smoking or using tobacco increases your risk of certain side effects Zomig may cause, including heart problems. Before you start taking Zomig, tell your doctor if you smoke or use tobacco. This will help your doctor determine whether Zomig is safe for you to take.

Stroke. Doctors usually will not prescribe Zomig to people who’ve had a stroke in the past. This is because Zomig can cause stroke in rare cases. If you’ve had a stroke, you have a higher risk of this side effect with Zomig. Talk with your doctor about other treatments for your migraine episodes.

Moderate or severe liver problems. After you take a dose of Zomig, your liver breaks down and helps get rid of the medication. If you have moderate or severe liver problems, your liver may have trouble breaking down the medication. This can increase levels of the drug in your body, which in turn may increase your risk of side effects. Based on the severity of your liver problems, your doctor will let you know whether it’s safe for you to take Zomig.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Zomig or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Zomig. Ask them what other medications are better options for you.

Alcohol use and Zomig

There’s no known interaction between alcohol and Zomig.

Some people have migranes if they drink alcohol.

If you have a migraine, talk to your doctor. They can tell you how much alcohol is safe to drink.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Zomig

Zomig is not known if it is safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant, you should talk to your doctor about safe treatments for your headaches.

If you’re interested in taking Zomig for migraine, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Asking questions about it can help you decide whether the drug is a good treatment option for you. Here are a few examples to get you started:

  • What should I know about other options? Can they cause the same side effects?
  • Is it possible to prevent headaches that are safe to take Zomig?
  • Is there a lower dose I can try if I have side effects from Zomig?

For helpful information about migraine treatments and advice on managing your condition, sign up for Healthline’s online newsletter. And if you’re looking to connect with others who live with migraine, check out the Bezzy Migraine community.

Q:

“Is Zomig’s risk of side effects increased by other medications?”

Anonymous

A:

If you take Zomig, certain other medications can increase your risk of side effects.

Zomig should not be used with certain medications. Examples include:

In addition, taking certain antidepressants while using Zomig can increase your risk of Serotonin syndrome.. Examples include:

Inform your doctor and pharmacist of any medications you take before you start taking Zomig. They can check to see if Zomig is safe to take.

The Healthline Pharmacist TeamAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.