Frova

Frova belongs to a group of drugs called ‘triptans’. It is used for the treatment of acute migraine in adults. It acts in the brain and relieve the pain of migraine headaches.

It is usually very effective in treatment of headaches. Most of the people have full relief from their headaches, while others experience a partial recovery. In short, most of the patients are able to go back to their lives and are able to function normally. Frovatriptan also treats the associated symptoms of migraine headache like photosensitivity, nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to sound.

Frovatriptan should not be used to treat any pain other than migraine. That is, it should not be used as an ordinary painkiller. It is generally used as a second-line drug in people with migraine headache which is not relieved by acetaminophen or aspirin etc.

Frovatriptan is only available through a doctor’s prescription. It is available in one dosage form (tablet)

Before using Frova, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.

Frovatriptan has a large side effect profile. So, the benefits of this drug should always be weighed against its associated risks. Your doctor will consider these risks before prescribing the drug and will inform you about them. Following factors should be considered before taking this drug:

Allergies: If you have had an allergic reaction to this drug in the past, inform your doctor. You should also tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to any other drugs or food products.

Age specific problems: The data regarding the effects of this medicine specific to the pediatric age group is not yet available. Therefore its safety and efficacy in children is not yet established.

The studies performed in elderly patients do not show any side effects that are specific to geriatric age group.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: For safety of its usage in pregnant women, it falls under “c” category, which means that adequate animal studies have not been performed or the animal studies show adverse effects on the fetus. Studies have not been performed to determine its safety and efficacy in breastfeeding mothers.

Drug Interactions: Certain drugs should not be used together because they can interact inside the body which can have a harmful effect. On the other hand certain drugs are allowed to be used together. So, you should tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking. If there is a chance of interaction between those two drugs, the doctor may change the dose or may prescribe an alternative drug.

Following medications should not be taken along with frovatriptan:

• Avitriptan
• Almotriptan
• Bromocriptine
• Eletriptan
• Dihydroergotamine
• Ergoloid Mesylates
• Ergotamine
• Ergonovine
• Linezolid
• Methylergonovine
• Metergoline
• Methysergide
• Naratriptan
• Sumatriptan
• Pergolide
• Rizatriptan
• Zolmitriptan

The use of following drugs along with frovatriptan is usually not recommended but may be used in special circumstances in which the need for its beneficial effects outweigh it adverse effects.

• Amineptine
• Amitriptylinoxide
• Citalopram
• Amoxapine
• Clomipramine
• Desipramine
• Dibenzepin
• Dolasetron
• Doxepin
• Duloxetine
• Fentanyl
• Escitalopram
• Fluoxetine
• Fluvoxamine
• Furazolidone
• Granisetron
• Iproniazid
• Imipramine
• Isocarboxazid
• Lofepramine
• Levomilnacipran
• Lorcaserin
• Meperidine
• Methylene Blue
• Milnacipran
• Melitracen
• Nortriptyline
• Mirtazapine
• Moclobemide
• Palonosetron
• Opipramol
• Paroxetine
• Phenelzine
• Procarbazine
• Rasagiline
• Protriptyline
• Reboxetine
• Selegiline
• Safinamide
• Sibutramine
• Sertraline
• St John's Wort
• Tapentadol
• Tianeptine
• Tranylcypromine
• Tryptophan
• Trazodone
• Trimipramine
• Vilazodone
• Vortioxetine
• Venlafaxine
• Ziprasidone

You should also tell you doctor if you have a history of any of the following medical conditions:
Angina or any heart rhythm problem, basilar migraine (with hearing and vision problems), heart attack, hemiplegia migraine, history of high blood pressure, peripheral arterial disease, stroke/ TIA, diabetes and chronic liver disease.

To use Frova correctly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor.

Avoid using frovatriptan for any pain other than a migraine. Always use it on a doctor’s advice. In order to treat the pain immediately, take the tablet as soon as the pain begins. Do not take the drug after a warning sign (aura), instead; wait for the actual pain to begin and then take the dose.

If using frovatriptan does not relieve your headache, ask your doctor about alternative drugs. Tell your doctor if your headache is not going away. If your headache is not relieved by frovatriptan, it may be caused by a condition that needs another treatment.

If your headache is gone after taking a dose of frovatriptan, but reappears after some time, you can repeat the dose at least 2 hours after your first dose. Avoid taking more than 3 doses in a 24 hour period.

Storage: This medicine should be stored at room temperature within a closed container, away from heat, direct light and moisture. Keep this drug out of the reach of children. Do not store expired or outdated medicines or the medicine no longer needed.

Before using Frova, there are some precautions you must take.

Avoid using this medicine if you have used another triptan or ergot containing drug in the past 24 hours. Other drugs from the triptan family include almotriptan, eletriptan, naratriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan (Zomig®). Some examples of ergot-type medicines are dihydroergotamine, ergotamine (Bellergal, Cafergot, Ergomar, Wigraine), or methysergide.

This drug has the tendency to cause severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis, which can be life threatening and needs urgent medical help. Symptoms of an allergic reaction are rash, difficulty in breathing, itching, dysphagia and swelling of hands, face or mouth.

This medicine can increase the risk of arrhythmias, heart attack, angina and stroke, especially if you have diabetes, hypertension or a family history of these disorders. So, contact your doctor right away if you experience symptoms of heart attack and stroke.

Always tell your doctor about any other medicines you are taking. Frovatriptan can result in a serious drug interaction called serotonin syndrome, when taken with some other medicines used to treat clinical depression.

Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages because it may aggravate or trigger the migraine headache. Some patients experience drowsiness or dizziness during or after a migraine or after taking a tablet of frovatriptan. These people should avoid driving vehicles or any other task that might be dangerous if they are feeling dizzy.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Frova. Although these side effects may occur only in a handful of patients but if they do occur, contact your physician immediately.

This medication is associated with following side effects:

• vision disturbance
• fast, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse
• abdominal or stomach pain
• agitation
• bloody diarrhea
• confusion
• difficulty swallowing
• dizziness
• fainting
• fever
• numbness or tingling of the fingers or toes
• overactive reflexes
• pain spreading to the left shoulder
• pale fingertips and toes
• poor coordination
• puffiness in eyelids
• restlessness
• shivering
• skin rash, hives, or itching skin
• tightness in the chest, throat, neck, and jaw
• tingling or pain in the fingers or toes when exposed to cold
• twitching
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weakness in the legs

Seek medical help instantly, if you experience any of these symptoms while on frovatriptan. Also contact your healthcare professional immediately, if you have overdosed on this drug.