Patient Profiles

Could the time of day play a role in when she treats her migraine?

There are many reasons why a patient may delay taking her migraine medication-especially if her headaches strike in the middle of her busy day. If side effects are a concern, AXERT may help you offer her an effective solution. The profiles here are examples of patients you might see in your practice who could be candidates for AXERT treatment.

Nancy
Renée

Nancy

Imagine starting your day with 22 very enthusiastic third graders. Now imagine dealing with a migraine at the same time. Nancy, a 37-year-old teacher who suffers from migraines especially during the day, faces that situation at least once a month. Her current medicine sometimes makes her feel tired and sleepy, so she waits until she gets home to take it and may not always get the relief she needs.

Nancy needs a triptan she can take earlier without experiencing additional fatigue or sleepiness-especially during the day. With proven relief and a minimal side effect profile, AXERT may be an effective option for her.

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Renée

You can't explain a migraine to a toddler. Renée, a 34-year-old stay-at-home mom, has her hands full trying to keep up with 2 children while coping with at least one migraine during the day per month. She hesitates taking medicine, but she knows she has to do something. Her kids need her, so she can't afford to be totally wiped out by her migraine, or her medication.

Renée needs a triptan she can take earlier without many of the side effects that may alter her daily activities. AXERT may be an effective solution for her.

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Indication
AXERT tablets are indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults.
AXERT is not intended for the prophylactic therapy of migraine or for use in the management of hemiplegic or basilar migraine. Safety and effectiveness of AXERT have not been established for cluster headache, which is present in an older, predominantly male population.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
AXERT tablets should be used only when a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established. AXERT, like other triptans, has been associated with coronary vasospasm and therefore should not be given to patients with ischemic heart disease or to patients who have symptoms or findings consistent with ischemic heart disease, coronary artery vasospasm (including Prinzmetal's variant angina), or other significant underlying cardiovascular disease. AXERT, like other triptans in this class, should not be given to patients in whom unrecognized coronary artery disease (CAD) is predicted by risk factors (family history, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity). Because AXERT may increase blood pressure, it should not be given to patients with uncontrolled hypertension.

The development of a potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome may occur with triptans, including AXERT treatment, particularly when combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). If combined treatment with AXERT and an antidepressant is clinically warranted, patients should be closely observed for signs and symptoms of the serotonin syndrome such as mental status changes, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, labile blood pressure, tachycardia, hyperreflexia, incoordination and/or gastrointestinal symptoms, especially during treatment initiation and dosage escalation. Patients with the serotonin syndrome require immediate medical attention.

The most common side effects are nausea, sleepiness, paresthesia, headache and dry mouth.

Ask your healthcare professional about the side effects and other important considerations before taking AXERT.

For more detailed information, please see full Prescribing Information.

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Symbyax, Prozac/Sarafem and Cymbalta are registered trademarks of Eli Lilly.
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Luvox is a registered trademark of Solvay.
Effexor is a registered trademark of Wyeth.

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