Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Frovatriptan succinate monohydrate may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
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MIGARD 2.5 mg tablets contain frovatriptan, an anti-migraine treatment belonging to the class of triptans (5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT1) selective receptor agonists). MIGARD 2.5 mg tablets is a medicine for the treatment of the headache phase of a migraine attack with or without aura (a temporary strange feeling before a migraine, which varies from person to person but can affect, for example, vision, smell, hearing). MIGARD 2.5 mg tablets should not be used to prevent a migraine attack. MIGARD is used to treat migraine attacks in adults. 2.
e MIGARD
The diagnosis of migraine must have been clearly established by your doctor Do not take MIGARD
> you are a heavy smoker or a user of nicotine substitution therapy > you are a post-menopausal female or a male aged over 40 years Stop taking MIGARD and talk to your doctor right away if you: >
>
experience a feeling of tightness or pain in the chest, shortness of breath and/or pain or discomfort in one or both arms, your back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or upper part of the stomach; these might be symptoms of a heart attack, which can occur when taking triptans, even in patients with no history of cardio-vascular disease (see also section 4). have generalized skin rash and itching, rapid-onset swelling (especially around the lips, eyes, or of the tongue), with possible sudden difficulty in breathing and a fast heartbeat and thumping heart. These are all symptoms and signs of allergy and whole-body hypersensitivity reaction (see also section 4).
Children and adolescents Do not give this medicine to children and adolescents (under 18 years of age) because the safety and efficacy of MIGARD have not been established in these groups. Other medicines and MIGARD Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. You should not take this medicine at the same time as certain other medicines used for the treatment of migraine:
MIGARD 2.5 mg tablets and the migraine itself can cause drowsiness. If affected, driving or operating machinery can be dangerous and should be avoided. MIGARD contains lactose This product contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine. MIGARD contains sodium This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dosage unit, that is to say essentially 'sodiumfree'. 3.
MIGARD
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor if you are not sure. Take MIGARD 2.5 mg tablets as early as possible after the onset of the migraine headache. Swallow one tablet whole with water. If the first dose does not give you any relief, do not take a second dose during the same attack. You can use MIGARD 2.5 mg tablet for any following attacks. If you obtain relief after the first dose, but later on suffer from the re-appearance of a headache within 24 hours, you can take a second dose provided that at least 2 hours have elapsed between the 2 doses. Do not exceed the maximum dose of 5 mg (two tablets) in 24 hours. Excessive use (repeated use over several consecutive days) of MIGARD 2.5 mg tablets constitutes incorrect use of this medicine and may cause an increase in side effects and lead to chronic daily headaches requiring the temporary discontinuation of treatment. Consult your doctor if you start having too frequent or daily headaches as you may be suffering from medication overuse headache. Use in children and adolescents MIGARD should not be used in patients under 18 years of age. Elderly As there is little experience in patients over 65 years, the use of MIGARD is not recommended in patients in this age group. If you take more MIGARD than you should If you accidentally take an overdose of this medicine, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately or go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital. Please remember to take the remaining tablets or this leaflet with you. If you stop taking MIGARD No special precautions are necessary when stopping the drug. If you have any further questions on the use of thismedicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. 4.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Stop taking MIGARD and tell your doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms: > a feeling of tightness or pain in the chest, shortness of breath and/or pain or discomfort in one or both arms, your back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or upper part of the stomach; these might be symptoms of a heart attack (myocardial infarction), which can occur when taking triptans, even in patients with no history of cardio-vascular disease;
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> have generalized skin rash and itching, rapid-onset swelling (especially around the lips, eyes, or of the tongue and mucosa), with possible sudden difficulty in breathing and a fast heartbeat and thumping heart. These are all symptoms and signs of allergy and whole-body hypersensitivity reaction (hypersensitivity reactions, angioedema, anaphylaxis). The side-effects reported with MIGARD 2.5 mg tablets were temporary, generally mild to moderate and disappeared spontaneously. Some symptoms reported may be caused by the migraine itself. The following side-effects were commonly observed (estimated frequency is more than 1 person out of 100 and less than 1 person out of 10):
MIGARD
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not store above 30°C. Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture. Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment. 6.
What MIGARD contains The active substance is frovatriptan as succinate monohydrate. Each tablet contains 2.5 mg of frovatriptan. The other ingredients are: Tablet core: anhydrous lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, sodium starch glycollate (type A), silica colloidal anhydrous. Tablet coat: OPADRY white: titanium dioxide (E171), anhydrous lactose, hypromellose (E464), macrogol 3000, triacetin. What MIGARD looks like and contents of the pack MIGARD 2.5 mg film-coated tablets are available in the form of round film-coated tablets, debossed with "m" on one side and "2.5" on the other. MIGARD is packed in: PVC/PE/PVDC/Aluminium blister: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 or 12 tablets per each blister Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
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Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Marketing Authorisation Holder: Menarini International Operations Luxembourg S.A. 1, Avenue de la Gare L-1611, Luxembourg Manufacturer: Berlin-Chemie AG Glienicker Weg 125 – D-12489 Berlin, Germany or A.Menarini Manufacturing Logistics and services s.r.l. Via Campo di Pile – L'Aquila (AQ), Italy or Laboratorios Menarini S.A. Alfonso XII, 587, 08918 – Badalona (Barcelona), Spain Marketed by: A. Menarini Farmaceutica Internazionale SRL This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of the EEA under the following names: France (RMS): Isimig Austria: Eumitan Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, The Netherlands, United Kingdom (Northern Ireland): Migard Greece: Pitunal Italy: Rilamig Spain: Forvey This leaflet was last revised in May 2021. Frovatriptan developed by Vernalis Ltd
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Migard 2.5 mg film-coated tablets comes as tablet containing 2.5mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Migard 2.5 mg film-coated tablets is frovatriptan succinate monohydrate.
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Frovatriptan 2.5 mg Film-coated Tablets, Frovatriptan 2.5 mg film coated tablets. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Migard 2.5 mg film-coated tablets, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Acute treatment of the headache phase of migraine attacks with or without aura.
MIGARD is indicated in adults.
Posology
Frovatriptan should be taken as early as possible after the onset of a migraine attack but it is also effective when taken at a later stage. Frovatriptan should not be used prophylactically.
If a patient does not respond to the first dose of frovatriptan, a second dose should not be taken for the same attack, since no benefit has been shown.
Frovatriptan may be used for subsequent migraine attacks.
Adults (18 to 65 years of age)
The recommended dose of frovatriptan is 2.5 mg.
If the migraine recurs after initial relief, a second dose may be taken, providing there is an interval of at least 2 hours between the two doses.
The total daily dose should not exceed 5 mg per day.
Paediatric population (under 18 years)
The safety and efficacy of MIGARD in children and adolescents aged below the age of 18 years have not been established. Therefore, its use in this age group is not recommended. No data are available.
Elderly (over 65 years)
Frovatriptan data in patients over 65 years remain limited. Therefore, its use in this category of patients is not recommended.
Renal impairment
No dosage adjustment is required in patients with renal impairment (see section 5.2).
Hepatic impairment
No dosage adjustment is required in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment (see section 5.2). Frovatriptan is contraindicated in patients with severe hepatic impairment (see section 4.3).
Method of administration
Oral use.
The tablets should be swallowed whole with water.
- hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
- patients with a history of myocardial infarction, ischaemic heart disease, coronary vasospasm (e.g. Prinzmetal's angina), peripheral vascular disease, patients presenting with symptoms or signs compatible with ischaemic heart disease.
- Moderately severe or severe hypertension, uncontrolled mild hypertension.
- previous cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or transient ischaemic attack (TIA).
- severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh C).
- Concomitant administration of frovatriptan with ergotamine or ergotamine derivatives (including méthysergide) or other 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT1) receptor agonists.
Frovatriptan should only be used where a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established.
Frovatriptan is not indicated for the management of hemiplegic, basilar or ophthalmoplegic migraine.
As with other treatments of migraine attack, it is necessary to exclude other, potentially serious, neurological conditions before treating the headache of patients without a previous diagnosis of migraine, or migraine patients presenting with atypical symptoms. It should be noted that migraineurs present an increased risk of certain cerebral vascular events (eg CVA or TIA).
The safety and efficacy of frovatriptan administered during the aura phase, before the headache phase of migraine, has not been established.
As for other 5-HT1 receptor agonists, frovatriptan must not be administered to patients at risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), including heavy smokers or users of nicotine substitution therapy without a prior cardiovascular evaluation (see section 4.3). Specific attention should be given to post- menopausal women and men over 40 years of age presenting with these risk factors.
However, cardiac evaluations may not identify every patient who has cardiac disease. In very rare cases serious cardiac events have occurred in patients with no underlying cardio-vascular disease when taking 5-HT1 receptor agonists.
Frovatriptan administration can be associated with transient symptoms including chest pain or tightness which may be intense and involve the throat. (see section 4.8).
Where such symptoms are thought to indicate ischaemic heart disease no further doses of frovatriptan should be taken and additional investigations should be carried out.
Patients should be informed of the early signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity reactions including cutaneous disorders, angioedema and anaphylaxis (see section 4.8). In case of serious allergic/hypersensitivity reactions, frovatriptan treatment should be discontinued immediately and it should not be administered again.
It is advised to wait 24 hours following the use of frovatriptan before administering an ergotamine- type medication. At least 24 hours should be elapse after administration of an ergotamine-containing preparation before frovatriptan is given (see sections 4.3 and 4.5).
In case of too frequent use (repeated administration several days in a row corresponding to a misuse of the product), the active substance can accumulate leading to an increase of the side-effects.
Prolonged use of any type of painkiller for headaches can make them worse. If this situation is experienced or suspected, medical advice should be obtained and treatment should be discontinued. The possibility of MOH should be taken into consideration in patients who have frequent or daily headaches despite (or because of) the regular use of headache medications.
Do not exceed the recommended dose of frovatriptan.
Undesirable effects may be more common during concomitant use of triptans (5HT agonists) and herbal preparations containing St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum).
This medicinal product contains lactose, therefore patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per dosage unit, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
CONTRAINDICATIONS OF CONCOMITANT USE
Ergotamine and ergotamine derivatives (including méthysergide) and other 5 HT1 agonists
Risks of hypertension and coronary artery constriction due to additive vasospastic effects when used concomitantly for the same migraine attack (see section 4.3).
Effects can be additive. It is recommended to wait at least 24 hours after administration of ergotamine-type medication before administering frovatriptan. Conversely it is recommended to wait 24 hours after frovatriptan administration before administering an ergotamine-type medication (see section 4.4 ).
CONCOMITANT USE NOT RECOMMENDED
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
Frovatriptan is not a substrate for MAO-A, however a potential risk of serotonin syndrome or hypertension cannot be excluded (see section 5.2).
CONCOMITANT USE REQUIRING CAUTION
Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline)
Potential risk of hypertension, coronary vasoconstriction or serotonin syndrome.
Strict adherence to the recommended dose is an essential factor to prevent this syndrome.
Methylergometrine
Risks of hypertension, coronary artery constriction.
Fluvoxamine
Fluvoxamine is a potent inhibitor of cytochrome CYP1A2 and has been shown to increase the blood levels of frovatriptan by 27-49%.
Oral contraceptives
In female subjects taking oral contraceptives, concentrations of frovatriptan were 30% higher than in females not taking oral contraceptives. No increased incidence in the adverse event profile was reported.
Hypericum perforatum (St. John wort) (oral route)
As with other triptans the risk of the occurence of serotonin syndrome may be increased.
Pregnancy
There are no or limited amount of data from the use of frovatriptan in pregnant women.
Studies in animals have shown reproductive toxicity (see section 5.3). The potential risk for humans is unknown. MIGARD is not recommended during pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential not using contraception, unless clearly necessary.
Breast-feeding
It is unknown whether Frovatriptan/metabolites are excreted in human milk.
Frovatriptan and/or its metabolites are excreted in the milk of lactating rats with the maximum concentration in milk being four-fold higher than maximum blood levels.
A risk to the breastfeeding newborns/infants cannot be excluded.
MIGARD is not recommended during breast-feeding, unless is clearly needed. In this case, a 24 hours interval must be observed.
No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed.
Migraine or treatment with frovatriptan may cause somnolence. Patients should be advised to evaluate their ability to perform complex tasks such as driving during migraine attacks and following administration of frovatriptan.
Frovatriptan has been administered to over 2700 patients at the recommended dose of 2.5 mg and the most common side effects (<10%) include dizziness, fatigue, paraesthesia, headache and vascular flushing. The undesirable effects reported in clinical trials with frovatriptan were transient, generally mild to moderate and resolved spontaneously. Some of the symptoms reported as undesirable effects may be associated symptoms of migraine.
The table below shows all the adverse reactions that are considered to be related to treatment with 2.5 mg frovatriptan and showed a greater incidence than with placebo in the 4 placebo controlled trials. They are listed in decreasing incidence by body-system. Adverse reactions collected in the post-marketing experience are noted with an asterisk *
System organ class
Common
≥1/100 <1/10
Uncommon
≥1/1000 <1/100
Rare
≥1/10,000 <1/1000
Not known (cannot be estimated from the available data)
Blood and the lymphatic system disorders
Lymphadenopathy
Immune system disorders
hypersensitivity reactions* (including cutaneous disorders, angioedema and anaphylaxis)
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Dehydration,
Hypoglycaemia
Psychiatric disorders
Anxiety, insomnia, confusional state, nervousness, agitation, depression, depersonalisation
Abnormal dreams, personality disorder
Nervous system disorders
Dizziness, paraesthesia, headache, somnolence, dysaesthesia, hypoaesthesia
Dysgeusia, tremor, disturbance in attention, lethargy, hyperaesthesia, sedation
vertigo, involuntary muscle contractions
Amnesia, Hypertonia, Hypotonia, hyporeflexia, movement disorder
Eye disorders
Visual disturbance
Eye pain, eye irritation, photophobia
Night blindness
Ear and labyrinth disorders
Tinnitus, ear pain
Ear discomfort, ear disorder, ear pruritus, hyperacusis
Cardiac disorders
Palpitations, tachycardia
Bradycardia
Myocardial infarction*, Arteriospasm coronary*
Vascular disorders
Flushing
Peripheral coldness, Hypertension
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Throat tightness
Rhinitis, sinusitis, pharingolaringeal pain
Epistaxis, hiccups, hyperventilation, respiratory disorder, throat irritation
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea, dry-mouth, dyspepsia, abdominal pain
Diarrhoea, dysphagia, flatulence, stomach discomfort, abdominal distension
Constipation, eructation, gastroesophageal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, lip blister, lip pain, oesophageal spasm, oral mucosal blistering, peptic ulcer, salivary gland pain, stomatitis, toothache
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Hyperhidrosis
Pruritus
Erithema, piloerection, purpura, urticaria
Musculoskeletaland connective tissue disorders
Musculoskeletal stiffness, musculoskeletal pain, pain in extremity, back pain, arthralgia
Renal and urinary disorders
Pollakiuria, polyuria
Nocturia, renal pain
Reproductive system and breast disorders
Breast tenderness
General disorders and administration site conditions
Fatigue, chest discomfort
Chest pain, feeling hot, temperature intolerance, pain, asthaenia, thirst, sluggishness, energy increased, malaise
Pyrexia
Investigations
Blood bilirubin increased, blood calcium decreased, urine analysis abnormal
Injury, poisoning and procedural complications
Bite
In two open long-term clinical studies the observed effects were not different from those listed above.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme
Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
There is limited data on overdose with frovatriptan tablets. The maximum single oral dose of frovatriptan given to male and female patients with migraine was 40 mg (16 times the recommended clinical dose of 2.5 mg) and the maximum single dose given to healthy male subjects was 100 mg (40 times the recommended clinical dose). Both were not associated with side effects other than those mentioned in section 4.8. However, one post-marketing serious case of coronary vasospasm has been reported, following intake of 4 times the recommended dose of frovatriptan on three consecutive days, in a patient taking migraine prophylactic treatment with a tricyclic antidepressant. The patient recovered.
There is no specific antidote for frovatriptan. The elimination half-life of frovatriptan is approximately 26 hours (see section 5.2.).
The effects of haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis on serum concentrations of frovatriptan are unknown.
Treatment
In case of overdose with frovatriptan, the patient should be monitored closely for at least 48 hours and be given any necessary supportive therapy.
Ask anything about Migard 2.5 mg film-coated tablets. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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