Increasing triptan strength

[Brewandabook]

Has anyone who takes Zomig gone from 2.5 mg to 5mg to manage their attacks better? Just wondering as I have been taking 2.5 mg for years but lately more frequently and I’m wondering if going up to 5mg once I’ve checked with my Dr could help the rebound effect.

[Cat00]

I've never taken lower than 5 mg of Zomig nasal spray. I'm only allowed 8 triptan days a month because of rebound anyway. It doesn't really matter what the dosage is as long as you keep your painkiller days infrequent. They always say hit it hard and hit it early to be effective so it would make sense to up the dose unless you have heart problems.

[Brewandabook in reply to Cat00]

Thanks for this. I definitely feel like it’s not hitting it hard enough with the 2.5. I’ll check this out 👍

[Cat00 in reply to Brewandabook]

Zomig is the only triptan that recommends you take second dose after 2 hours if its not working. Lots of people take second doses of other triptans but that is against recommendation so it's good to have a second chance too.

[Brewandabook in reply to Cat00]

Yes sometimes I've taken a second zomig after 2 hours and wondered if a 5mg at onset would have prevented the need for that. It's difficult to tell and we're all trying to keep triptan use down aren't we. But nothing else works for me. I feel my 2.5 tends to be giving me rebound headaches up to 2 days after taking. It's a nightmare.

[Cat00 in reply to Brewandabook]

If you are having fewer than 10 -8 painkiller days a month it is unlikely to rebound, it's not about size of dose it's about frequency. It's more likely the natural length of your migraine. Two days would not uncommon. Then there are people like me where my migraines are classed as "transformed" which means then can go on for hours, days or weeks.

[Brewandabook in reply to Cat00]

Ah I see. Untreated my migraines last 2.5-3 days so this makes sense. I get migraines lingering for weeks at a time. It’s very difficult. I hadn’t heard of the term transformed migraines.

[Cat00 in reply to Brewandabook]

Yes I have chronic migraines now they went from episodic to transformed to chronic.

It just means they start to become atypical. This doesn't necessarily mean they will become chronic it just means they aren't 'classic' in nature, 2-3 days would still be classic though.

[Brewandabook in reply to Cat00]

Thank you for this information, much appreciated😃

[Cat00 in reply to Brewandabook]

No worries hopefully your GP will up your dose good luck!

[denadico in reply to Brewandabook]

In case you haven't yet , you could try other Triptans.

I started with Zomig and it was always good for me. I found out that Eletriptan binds on three receptors as opposed to two for Zomig so I aked for prescripton.

Eletriptan worked wonderful. I haven't experienced the let down, detached feeling I sometimes have with Zomig.

BUT, out of 5 or 6 times I tried it, there was a rebound the following day.

Maybe just coincidence, but I had to stick with Zomig, which gave me rebounds only a couple of times in 15 years of taking it.

[Brewandabook in reply to denadico]

I did wonder about changing the triptan. I've done this in the past as i took naramig many many years ago and it started to not work as well so i switched to zomig. When i first went onto zomig i felt i got my life back and did well for years. Thanks for the info.

[Onthemove1971]

I take a higher dose of Imitrix ( 50mg) does nothing for me. I must take 100mg. It is my understanding the rebound or what causes chronic migraines is the number of pills (no more than 15) in a total month.

Good much

I also take injections when needed.

[Brewandabook in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thank you. I've wondered about injections. I'll look into this 😊

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Brewandabook]

I react within 5 min. You will need a prescription from a doctor.

[Brewandabook in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thank you for this. 😊

[5555aniceta]

Yes I have taking Zomig 2.5 forever and it’s work for me every time

[MusicMachineMan]

I came here to ask this ii had no idea there was a stronger dose of Zomig. Its been great for me for years,but lately it doesnt matter how quickly i take one,it still gets rid of the aura in about 30 mins or so,but im still left with that dull band of horrible pain for days afterwards. Zomig used to prevent that completely. Ive been taking Propanolol for a longtime, which seems to absolutely nothing at all as the migraines are more frequent. Should i ask for the 5mg of Zomig and stop the Propanolol?