Zolmitriptan
Brand Names: Zolmiptriptan, Zomig
Methodology & AI Transparency ⓘ
Zolmitriptan Key Takeaways
Translated by Sarah Jenkins (AI RN Plain-English Translator) at a 7th-grade reading level
- 1 What it does: Zolmitriptan tablets are indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults.
- 2 Real-world patient consensus: Tracked across 6 patient dosage logs with a 83% satisfaction benchmark (RxCUI 200193).
- 3 Typical cash cost range: 30-day cash pricing ranges from $8.56 on Cost Plus Drugs to $34.50 walk-in retail (NADAC $1.3323/unit).
- 4 Top reported side effects / signs: Primary clinical safety signals tracked in FAERS for Zolmitriptan include headache (10.6%), nausea (8.2%), dizziness (5%).
Ask our AI Specialists anything about Zolmitriptan
Zolmitriptan Mechanism, CYP450 Pathways & DailyMed Monograph
Zolmitriptan tablets are indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults. Limitations of Use: Only use zolmitriptan tablets if a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established. If a patient has no response to zolmitriptan tablets treatment for the first migraine attack, reconsider the diagnosis of migraine before zolmitriptan tablets are administered to treat any subsequent attacks. Zolmitriptan tablets are not indicated for the prevention of migraine attacks. Safety and effectiveness of zolmitriptan tablets have not been established for cluster headache.
12.1 Mechanism of Action Zolmitriptan binds with high affinity to human recombinant 5-HT1D and 5-HT1B receptors, and moderate affinity for 5-HT1A receptors. The N-desmethyl metabolite also has high affinity for 5-HT1B/1D and moderate affinity for 5-HT1A receptors. Migraines are likely due to local cranial vasodilatation and/or to the release of sensory neuropeptides (vasoactive intestinal peptide, substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide) through nerve endings in the trigeminal system.
With Approximately 6–10 hours terminal plasma half-life for Zolmitriptan residence kinetics and Estimated 47%–59% oral systemic absorption for Zolmitriptan bioavailability, Zolmitriptan undergoes phase i/ii hepatic conjugation of zolmitriptan coupled with glomerular and tubular renal excretion and establishes therapeutic activity over peak plasma concentration (tmax) reached 1–4 hours post-dose for zolmitriptan.
Standard adult regimens span 5 mg/1 Tablet, Film Coated, 5 mg/1 Spray, 5 mg/1 Tablet, Orally Disintegrating, 2.5 mg/1 Tablet, Orally Disintegrating, 2.5 mg/1 Tablet, Film Coated. Prescribers screen specifically against documented intolerance or hypersensitivity reaction involving zolmitriptan (serotonin-1b and serotonin-1d receptor agonist); concurrent restricted medications flagged in section 4/7 of the zolmitriptan dailymed monograph (200193), while community micro-logs most frequently note headache (10.6% of reports), nausea (8.2% of reports), fatigue (5.4% of reports).
Assess baseline hepatic panels and interacting prescriptions when starting Zolmitriptan (serotonin-1b and serotonin-1d receptor agonist).
Alcohol or high-fat meal timing can shift absorption rate and orthostatic tolerance during Zolmitriptan dosing.
Standard Adult Titration & Dosages
Absolute & Relative Contraindications
- Documented intolerance or hypersensitivity reaction involving Zolmitriptan (serotonin-1b and serotonin-1d receptor agonist)
- Concurrent restricted medications flagged in Section 4/7 of the Zolmitriptan DailyMed monograph (200193)
Logged Side-Effect Incidence (6 Reports)
Zolmitriptan Real-World Side Effects: openFDA FAERS vs. Patient Micro-Logs
Peer-Reviewed Human Clinical Trials & Meta-Analyses (Zolmitriptan)
| Study & Plain-English Finding | Sample (N) | Rigor | Primary Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Insights on A multicenter, randomized, gold-standard blind, compared against a dummy pill: What a 373-Participant Study Found The effect of high-dose ZNS on the primary endpoint of pain-free status at 2 h did not achieve statistical significance. Headache • 2022-10-15 • Phase III Randomized Trial | N = 373 | 93/100 | PMID 36286602 ↗ |
Zolmitriptan Public Price Transparency Ledger
| Dispensing Channel / Benchmark | Verification Source | Reference Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Acquisition Cost (CMS NADAC) | CMS Medicaid NADAC Weekly National Survey | $1.3323/unit (~$39.97/30u) | Wholesale baseline |
| Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs (Mail-Order Generic) | Public Wholesale Price List (NADAC + 15% + pharmacy fee) | $8.56 / mo | Formulary listing ↗ |
| Average U.S. Walk-In Retail Cash Price | Chain Pharmacy Uninsured Cash Index | $34.50 / mo | Before coupon/insurance |
| Patient-Logged Out-of-Pocket Average | 6 Anonymous DotMD Community Micro-Logs | $9.84 / mo | View logs ↓ |
Zolmitriptan Federal Verification & Benchmark Summary
| Metric | Verified Benchmark | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Zolmitriptan RxNorm Concept ID | 200193 | U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) |
| CMS NADAC Pharmacy Acquisition Unit Cost | $1.3323 / unit | CMS Medicaid NADAC Weekly Feed |
| Walk-In Chain Pharmacy Cash Average | $34.50 / mo | U.S. Uninsured Retail Cash Index |
| Public Mail-Order Wholesale Benchmark | $8.56 / mo (Cost Plus Drugs) | Mark Cuban Cost Plus Public API |
| Real-World Patient Consensus | 83.00% Worth It (6 anonymous logs) | DotMD Zero-PHI Patient Ledger |
Zolmitriptan Patient Community, Cohort Filters & Dosage Logs
Evidence synthesis for Zolmitriptan: FDA labeling (2025-01-22, NDC 72189-434), CYP/interaction screening, and public pharmacy acquisition costs.
Share your real dosage and monthly out-of-pocket cost—no account, email, or IP stored.
Filter Zolmitriptan community threads and patient logs by age, biological sex, dosage, and treatment duration.