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Frovatriptan

Pronounced

"froh-vuh-TRIP-tan"

Common brand names:

Frova

Uses

Frovatriptan is used to treat migraines. It helps to relieve headache, pain, and other migraine symptoms (including nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light/sound). Prompt treatment helps you return to your normal routine and may decrease your need for other pain medications. Frovatriptan belongs to a class of drugs known as triptans. It affects a certain natural substance (serotonin) that causes narrowing of blood vessels in the brain. It may also relieve pain by affecting certain nerves in the brain.

Frovatriptan does not prevent future migraines or lessen how often you get migraine attacks.

How to Use This Medication

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking frovatriptan and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, at the first sign of a migraine. It may be taken with or without food, but may work faster when it is taken on an empty stomach. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. If there is no improvement in your symptoms, do not take more doses of this medication before talking to your doctor.

If your symptoms are only partly relieved or if your headache comes back, the U.S. manufacturer recommends that you may take another dose after 2 hours, up to a maximum of 3 doses (7.5 milligrams) in a 24-hour period. The Canadian manufacturer recommends that you may take another dose after 4 hours, up to a maximum of 2 doses (5 milligrams) in a 24-hour period. Carefully follow your doctor's directions for using this medication.

If you have a higher risk for heart problems (see Precautions), your doctor may perform a heart exam before you start taking frovatriptan. He/she may also direct you to take your first dose of this medication in the office/clinic to monitor for serious side effects (such as chest pain). Talk to your doctor for details.

If you are using drugs for migraine attacks on 10 or more days each month, the drugs may actually make your headaches worse (medication overuse headache). Do not use medications more often or for longer than directed. Tell your doctor if you need to use this medication more often, or if the medication is not working as well, or if your headaches get worse.

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Drug information is selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First DataBank, Inc. This is a summary and does not contain all possible information about this product. For complete information about this product or your specific health needs, ask your healthcare professional. Always seek the advice of your healthcare professional if you have any questions about this product or your medical condition. This information is not intended as individual medical advice and does not substitute for the knowledge and judgment of your healthcare professional. This information does not contain any assurances that this product is safe, effective or appropriate for you.

This information is intended only for residents of the United States. Products sold under the same brand names in other countries may contain different ingredients.

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Information expires December 2025.