The pain that feels like your head is going to burst, your eyes are so blue that you can't look at the light, the feeling of vomiting... Have you also suffered from this terrible migraine? Sometimes you must be suffering for days and unable to do anything useful. So, in addition to the medicine you take when you have a migraine, there are now new medicines to prevent it from happening . Atogepant is one such medicine. Let's talk about this simply today.
Simply put, what is this Atogepant?
Atogepant is not a painkiller like paracetamol that you take when you have a migraine. It is used to prevent migraines . To be precise, there are certain chemicals in our brain that cause migraines. This medicine blocks the action of those chemicals. This reduces the frequency of migraine attacks. In Sri Lanka, this medicine can be found under the brand name QULIPTA.
The important thing is, this is not a medication to use to relieve the pain of a migraine. It is used daily to prevent migraines.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before using any medicine, it is very important to give your doctor a complete description of your health condition. This is also the case before starting Atogepant. If you have any of the conditions below, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
| Health conditions you may have | Why is it important to raise awareness about it? |
|---|---|
| Circulatory problems in the fingers and toes (e.g. Raynaud's syndrome) | This medicine can sometimes affect blood vessels, so it is important to report any such problems if they already exist. |
| High blood pressure | For some people, this medicine may cause blood pressure to increase, so you need to be careful about that. |
| Kidney disease | The medicine is eliminated from the body through the kidneys. If the kidneys are not functioning properly, the dose of the medicine may need to be adjusted. |
| Liver disease | Since the liver processes medication, having a liver condition can affect the effectiveness of the medication. |
| Allergies to Atogepant or other medicines, foods, or dyes | This is essential to prevent an allergic reaction to the medicine. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | Since there is still no complete information about the safety of this medication during pregnancy, it is essential to talk to your doctor. |
| If the baby is breastfed | You should discuss with your doctor whether the medication passes to the baby through breast milk. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
- You should take this pill with a glass of water .
- Take the prescribed dose of the medicine as prescribed by your doctor. It is best if you can take it at the same time every day .
- This can be taken before or after meals, but if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food .
- Continue taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop taking it at your own discretion.
- If this medicine is given to children, special care may be required, so talk to your doctor about it.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital, or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital. This is an emergency, do not delay.
What if I forget to take my medicine?
If you forget to take a pill, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next pill (for example, it is only a few hours away), skip the missed pill and take the next pill at the scheduled time. Never take both the missed pill and the next pill at the same time.
Other medications that may interact with Atogepant
Some medications can cause problems when taken together with Atogepant. This means that one medication can affect the way another works. Some examples are:
- Carbamazepine
- Some medications for fungal infections (e.g. itraconazole, ketoconazole)
- Clarithromycin
- Cyclosporine
- Efavirenz
- Etravirine
- Phenytoin
- Rifampin
- St. John's wort (this is a herbal medicine)
Very important: This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including vitamins, herbs, and supplements. Also, don't forget to tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Possible side effects of taking the medicine
Like all medicines, Atogepant can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Some side effects are serious and should be treated with immediate medical attention. Some are normal and go away after a few days.
| Type of side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions / Angioedema | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue, hands or feet, difficulty swallowing or breathing. |
| Increased blood pressure | Feeling a sudden increase in blood pressure. |
| Raynaud syndrome | Coldness, numbness, pain in the fingers or toes, and discoloration of the fingers to white, blue, or red. |
| Side effects that are usually common, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Constipation | Difficulty going to the toilet. |
| Fatigue | Feeling tired all the time. |
| Loss of appetite | Loss of appetite. |
| Nausea | Feeling like vomiting. |
How to store medicine safely?
- Keep out of reach of children and pets .
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Keep away from excessive heat and moisture.
- Never use expired medicine .
- When disposing of unused or expired medications, do not release them into the environment. Take the pills out of the bottle, mix them with something like used tea leaves, coffee grounds, or soil, and put them in a tightly sealed container or bag and throw them in the trash. If you are unsure, ask your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Atogepant is not a medication that you take for the pain of a migraine. It is a medication that you take daily to prevent migraines.
- Before starting this medication, tell your doctor about all your health conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- Take the medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change the dosage or stop taking the medicine on your own.
- If you experience serious allergic symptoms such as difficulty breathing or facial swelling, seek immediate medical attention.
- This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with anyone else for any reason.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න