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        New Message Board Archives >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies 2002 >> Has any one tried Axert ?
        
(Message started by: markdavid on Jul 13^th, 2002, 1:26am)

Title: Has any one tried Axert ?
Post by markdavid on Jul 13^th, 2002, 1:26am

I have been suffering from clusters for 17 years and my cycles have moved to every 2 years . I have just started again after 2 years and the Dr. gave me these Axert tablets. I have taken one and it has worked so far yet my headaches always seem to be treatable for the first week or so. The side effects list sleepiness as a side effect yet I am wired , this is not good.
Has any body tried this drug yet?

Thanks,
Mark David

Title: Re: Has any one tried Axert ?
Post by Ueli on Jul 13^th, 2002, 10:52pm

Hi Mark,

Almotriptan (Axert) is one of the newer triptans, but actually there is not much new about it, it's very similar to Naratriptan (Amerge). Some experts say you can chose between the two for the price (at least for meegraines).
You didn't say what instructions your doc gave for the Axert, and how much - only some samples or a script for regular use?
If Axert is similar to Amerge for CHers too, then it is not very useful to abort an attack, too slow to kick in. But it should be useful as a short time preventative, to keep off the night time attacks. For this I use Amerge quite successfully.

PFNADs,
Ueli

Title: Re: Has any one tried Axert ?
Post by markdavid on Jul 14^th, 2002, 9:06am

Hi Ueli,

The Dr. gave me samples and instructed no more than 2 in 24 hours. So far so good yet my cycle just started

Can you tell me any more about Amerge please

Thanks PFDs
Mark David

Title: Re: Has any one tried Axert ?
Post by Ueli on Jul 14^th, 2002, 9:23pm

Mark,

Naratriptan (Amerge) is one of the triptans developed to abort meegraine attacks.
It takes more than half an hour to kick in, and is therefore not very useful to abort a cluster attack. (For aborting Sumatriptan (Imitrex) as injection or nasal spray are the choice.) But since Amerge has a half life time of ~4 hours (only 1 or 2 hours for Imitrex) it is suitable as a short time preventative. I take one before going to bed, with good results in preventing the nightly attacks.
As I said before, Amerge and Axert are very similar.

PFNADs
Ueli

Title: Re: Has any one tried Axert ?
Post by markdavid on Jul 14^th, 2002, 9:32pm

Thanks Ueli . Imitrex does not work for me in either form, Axert is ok yet I haven't taken but three so i'm not too sure it will work. Thanks again for your input

PFDAN

Mark David

Title: Re: Has any one tried Axert ?
Post by gtarman on Jul 15^th, 2002, 3:46pm

It appears that CH and the meds used to treat it are different for everyone. I used Amerge (and Zomig) last year when my cycle kicked into high gear. Both worked to kill the "icepick" attacks within 3-15 minutes but did nothing for the accompanying symptoms; made my chest hurt like crazy (both are vaso-constrictors) and kept me FROM sleeping. I'm gonna stay away from the stuff if I can, but you know how it is when the bad ones hit...

Title: Re: Has any one tried Axert ?
Post by sue-bee on Jul 17^th, 2002, 12:05pm

I tried Axert in pill form. I had limited success with it. I also needed to take 2 ESGIG plus capsules to dull the pain. My neurologist claims that ANY medication that is taken in pill form will take 30 minutes to work and therefore is not effective against CH. He has me taking Imetrex nasal spray, which I do find is effective; however, since the intensity of my bouts is easing, due to use of prednisone, it's hard to say if the Imetrex nasal is truly as successful as it would be at the height of my episodes. I am assuming that the only form of Axert is pills....

Title: Re: Has any one tried Axert ?
Post by markdavid on Jul 18^th, 2002, 1:32am

Sue,

I am not sure if pill is its only form,I would assume it is as well. I try to take them on an empty stomach and I chew or break them up with my teeth, I have found results in 10 to 20 min.

PFDAN
Mark David