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09/07/2022 | Press release | Archived content

What to Know About Reyvow for Migraines: Dosing, Side Effects, and More

Key takeaways:

  • Reyvow (lasmiditan) is FDA approved to treat migraines in adults. It's an oral, prescription-only medication that's taken as a single dose after a migraine attack begins.

  • Reyvow can help relieve migraine pain within 2 hours of taking it. It's usually prescribed if triptan medications don't work or if triptans can't be taken at all.

  • Reyvow has few side effects to keep in mind, and it's also considered a controlled substance. Some of the most common side effects are dizziness, drowsiness, and a tingling feeling in your body.

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Migraine headaches are, unfortunately, very common. It's estimated that around 39 million people in the U.S. experience migraines - and that number may actually be higher. Many people likely live with migraines without being properly evaluated, diagnosed, or treated. What's more, migraines tend to disrupt work, school, and life in general.

When needed, medications are available to help prevent migraines from happening in the first place. Others are able to treat migraine symptoms after they've already started. Reyvow (lasmiditan) is one prescription medication used to treat migraines once symptoms are underway. It works in a unique way to alleviate pain and discomfort, but it has a few risks and side effects to keep in mind.

What is Reyvow?

Reyvow is an oral medication that's FDA approved to treat migraine headaches in adults. It's able to treat migraines with or without aura. Auras are sensory or visual changes - such as bright spots, blurry vision, or numbness - that can happen before or during a migraine.

Reyvow is helpful for certain people, but it may not be the best option for everyone. It's only meant for occasional use, and it can't prevent migraines from happening. It also shouldn't be used by people younger than 18 years old.

How does Reyvow work?

Reyvow works by binding to certain serotonin receptors (chemical binding sites) in your brain. When it binds to these receptors, Reyvow helps boost the effects of serotonin.

Serotonin is well-known for its role in mood, but it can also affect other symptoms and health conditions. For instance, low amounts of serotonin may contribute to migraines. By enhancing the effects of serotonin receptors in your brain, Reyvow may help control swelling and pain that could be contributing to migraine symptoms.

However, this hasn't been proven. The exact way Reyvow works isn't fully understood.

How is Reyvow dosed?

Reyvow is an oral tablet that can treat migraine symptoms. But it should only be taken when needed - it's not considered a routine maintenance medication.

The starting dose is usually 50 mg or 100 mg as a single dose. You can take a dose right when you first feel a migraine attack. If needed, your healthcare provider may adjust your dose to 100 mg or 200 mg as a single dose. You shouldn't take more than one dose in a 24-hour period.

Reyvow can be taken with or without food. And it should always be swallowed whole. You shouldn't crush, split, or chew the tablets.

How does Reyvow compare to other migraine medications?

There are many different types of acute migraine treatments, from oral and dissolvable tablets to nasal sprays and injections. Some are available only as prescription products, while others are available over the counter (OTC).

In general, it's recommended to first try nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Excedrin Migraine (acetaminophen, aspirin, caffeine), or triptans to treat active migraine symptoms. Triptans are particularly common - some examples are sumatriptan (Imitrex), rizatriptan (Maxalt), and zolmitriptan (Zomig).

Research has found that triptans are generally better at reducing pain than Reyvow, but Reyvow is still an option to consider using. The evidence is less clear about how Reyvow stacks up to NSAIDs or Excedrin. However, NSAIDs and Excedrin are available OTC, so they may be easier and more affordable to access.

If these preferred options don't work, cause intolerable side effects, or aren't safe for you to use, then Reyvow may be an option.

Is Reyvow a triptan?

No. Triptans are a different group of migraine medications.

Triptans are migraine medications that stimulate serotonin receptors, similar to Reyvow. But triptans also put pressure on your blood vessels and tighten them much more than Reyvow does. Making blood vessels tighter can raise your blood pressure, and this can be dangerous if you have a heart condition.

Triptans have more supporting data about relieving migraine symptoms, but Reyvow may be a safer option if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure. To see if Reyvow or another medication may be appropriate for you, it's important to check with your healthcare provider.

How effective is Reyvow?

Most of what we know about Reyvow's effectiveness comes from its initial clinical trials.

In one key study, when people with moderate to severe migraines took Reyvow, almost a third of people saw pain relief within 2 hours. And almost half of them also had relief from other migraine-related symptoms, such as nausea and sensitivity to light or sound.

What are the side effects of Reyvow?

Reyvow has a few possible side effects to keep in mind. Some of the most common ones include:

  • Dizziness

  • Feeling tired or sleepy

  • Paresthesia, which is a numbness, tingling, or prickling sensation

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Muscle weakness

  • Lower heart rate

  • Higher blood pressure

If you use Reyvow too often, other risks are also possible. Using Reyvow for more than 10 days in a month can cause headaches as a rebound effect. Because of this, Reyvow is only meant to be used for short-term treatment. It's not meant for chronic migraines.

What are the serious side effects of Reyvow?

Due to its potential risks, Reyvow is categorized as a Schedule V controlled medication. It can cause euphoria (intense feelings of happiness and excitement), and it has a potential for abuse and misuse. While it's not a narcotic, Reyvow can still make you feel very drowsy. This may cause safety issues when performing activities that require you to be fully alert. You should wait 8 hours after taking Reyvow before driving, operating machinery, or performing other tasks that require mental alertness.

Does Reyvow interact with other medications?

Reyvow can interact with a few medications. These interacting medications have similar side effects to Reyvow, so if taken together, the effects may be more intense. Reyvow may also block the breakdown (metabolism) of other medications, causing their side effects to be more severe.

Some common interactions are listed in the table below.

Medications that can make you sleepy Taking Reyvow with any of these substances or medications could cause extreme dizziness or sleepiness. This can slow brain activity and alertness.
Medications that boost the effect of serotonin Taking Reyvow with any of these medications could cause a buildup of serotonin in your brain. This could lead to a potentially serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
Medications that lower heart rate Taking Reyvow with medications that lower your heart rate could cause your heart rate to be too slow. This may cause effects like dizziness, lightheadedness, or fatigue.

This isn't a complete list. For more information, it's recommended to speak to your pharmacist or other healthcare provider. If possible, give them an updated list of all medications that you take. This should include all prescription and OTC medications. Don't forget about supplements and any herbal products, too.

The bottom line

Reyvow is one of the several medication options available for treating migraines. It's a brand-name-only, controlled substance medication. You can take it by mouth at the first sign of a migraine. Reyvow is usually only prescribed if triptans, Excedrin, or NSAIDs are not working well enough or can't be used. If you have any questions or concerns about trying Reyvow for migraines, make sure to talk with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.

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