Patient info Open main menu

Zolmitriptan 2.5 mg Film-coated tablets – patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

Last updated: · Text from the MHRA, as of · About this document

Medicine status: No longer supplied Details

Medicine strength:
2.5 mg
Still supplied:
The same active substance, strength and form in the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d). Ask your pharmacist or doctor before changing to another make.
Contains active substance:

Patient leaflet - Zolmitriptan 2.5 mg film-coated tablets

1. What Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets is and what it is used for

Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets contains zolmitriptan and belongs to a group of medicines called triptans.

Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets is used to treat migraine headache.

  • Migraine symptoms may be caused by swollen blood vessels in the head. Zolmitriptan Film-coated Tablets is thought to reduce the widening of these blood vessels. This helps to take away the headache and other symptoms of a migraine attack, such as feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting) and being sensitive to light and sound.
  • Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets works only when a migraine attack has started. It will not stop you from getting a migraine attack.

2. What you need to know before you take Zolmitriptan

Film-coated tablets

Do not take Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets

  • If you are allergic to zolmitriptan or any of the other ingredients of this medicine s (listed in section 6).
  • If you have high blood pressure.
  • If you have, or previously had heart problems, including a heart attack, angina (chest pain caused by exercise or effort), Prinzmetal's angina (a chest pain which occurs at rest) or have experienced heart related symptoms such as shortness of breath or pressure in the chest.
  • If you have or previously had a stroke or short-lasting symptoms similar to a stroke (transient ischaemic attack or TIA).
  • If you are at the same time taking some other medicines for your migraine (e.g. ergotamine or ergot-type medicines like dihydroergotamine and methysergide) or other triptan medicines for migraine. See section on 'Other medicines and Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets' for further information.

Do not take Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets if any of the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets. Let your doctor know if:

  • you are at risk of getting ischaemic heart disease (poor blood flow in the arteries of the heart). Your risk is greater if you smoke, have high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol, diabetes or if anyone in your family has ischaemic heart disease.
  • you have been told that you have Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (a type of abnormal heart beat).
  • you have or previously had liver problems.
  • you have headaches which are not like your usual migraine headache.
  • you are taking other medicines for the treatment of depression (see section below for ‘Other medicines and Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets’ for further information).
  • you are at the same time taking herbal medicines which contain St John's Wort (this is used for treating depression).
  • you go into hospital, please ensure you tell the medical staff that you are taking Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets.

Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets is not recommended for individuals aged less than 18 years, or over the age of 65 years.

As with other migraine treatments, taking too much Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets can cause daily headaches or can make your migraine headaches worse. Let your doctor know if you think this applies to you, as you may need to stop taking Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets to correct the problem.

Other medicines and Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including those medicines obtained without a prescription or if you use any herbal medicines.

In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

Medicines used for migraine

  • If you take another type of triptan (such as sumatriptan or naratriptan) which is different from this medicine leave 24 hours before taking Zolmitriptan

    Film-coated tablets.

  • After taking Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets, leave 24 hours before taking another type of triptan.
  • If you take medicines that contain ergotamine or ergot-type medicines (such as dihydroergotamine or methysergide), leave 24 hours before taking Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets.
  • After taking Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets, leave 6 hours before taking ergotamine or ergot-type medicines.

Medicines used for depression

  • Mono-amine Oxidase Inhibitors, (also known as MAOIs) such as moclobemide.
  • Medicines called SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, fluvoxamine or sertraline.
  • Medicines called SNRIs (serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) such as venlafaxine, duloxetine

Other medicines

  • Cimetidine (for indigestion or stomach ulcers)
  • A quinolone antibiotic (such as ciprofloxacin)

If you are using herbal remedies containing St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) at the same time as this medicine, potential side effects of Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets may occur. Stop taking this medicine and let your doctor know.

Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets with food and drink

You can take Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets with or without food. It does not affect the way that Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets works.

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Pregnancy

It is not known if taking zolmitriptan tablets during pregnancy is harmful. Before taking zolmitriptan tablets, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.

Breast feeding

The active substance in your medicine may pass into your breast milk. To minimise the risk of exposing your baby to your medicine you should not breast-feed for 24 hours after taking zolmitriptan.

Driving and using machines

  • During a migraine attack your reactions may be slower than usual.

    Take precaution when driving or using any tools or machines that requires concentration.

  • Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or use tools or machines. However, it may make you feel sleepy.

    Wait to see how Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets affects you before you perform these activities.

Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets contains Lactose

Zolmitriptan 2.5 mg Film-coated tablets contain lactose which is a type of sugar. If you have been told by your doctor that you cannot tolerate or digest some sugars (have an intolerance to some sugars), talk to your doctor before taking this medicine.

3. How to take Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

You can take Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets as soon as a migraine headache starts. You can also take it once an attack is underway.

  • The recommended dose is one tablet, 2.5 mg or 5 mg.
  • Oral use, tablet to be swallowed with a drink of water.
  • You can take a second tablet if the migraine is still present after two hours or if it returns within 24 hours.

If the tablet did not relieve your migraine, tell your doctor. Your doctor may change your treatment.

Do not use more than the dose prescribed for you.

  • Do not use more than two doses in one day unless prescribed to you by your doctor.
  • The maximum daily dose is 10 mg.

Use in elderly adults

Zolmitriptan is not recommended for older adults over the age of 65 years.

Use in children and adolescents

Zolmitriptan is not recommended for use in children and adolescents aged under 18 years.

If you take more Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets than you should

If you have taken more Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets than prescribed by your doctor, tell your doctor or go to the nearest hospital straight away.

Take the Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets medicine with you.

If you forget to take Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet.

If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Some of the symptoms below could be part of the migraine attack itself.

Stop taking Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets and contact your doctor straight away if you notice any of the following:

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

  • Allergic reactions including itchy rash (urticaria) and swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue and throat.

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)

  • Angina (pain in the chest, often brought on by exercise), heart attack or spasm of the blood vessels of the heart. The signs include chest pain and shortness of breath
  • Spasm of the blood vessels of the gut, which can cause damage to your gut. The signs include stomach pain or bloody diarrhoea
  • Bleeding in the brain (cerebral bleeding) or stroke

Other possible side effects:

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people):

These side effects are usually mild and go away after a short time.

  • Abnormal sensations such as tingling in your fingers and toes or skin that is sensitive to touch
  • Feeling sleepy, dizzy or warm
  • Headache
  • Uneven heart beat
  • Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
  • Stomach pain
  • Dry mouth
  • Muscle weakness or muscle pain
  • Feeling weak
  • Heaviness, tightness, pain or pressure in the throat, neck, arms and legs, or chest
  • Problems swallowing.

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):

  • Very fast heart beat
  • Slightly higher blood pressure
  • Increase in the amount of water you pass (urine) or in how often you need to pass water.

Very rare (may affect 1 in 10,000 people)

  • Sudden urgent need to pass water (urine)

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.

By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets

Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP: The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.

If this medicine shows any signs of deterioration or discolouration seek the advice of your pharmacist who will tell you what to do.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use.

These measures will help to protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets contains

The active substance is zolmitriptan. Each film-coated tablet contains

2.5 mg zolmitriptan.

The other ingredients are:

Tablet core: lactose anhydrous, cellulose microcrystalline, sodium starch glycolate type A and magnesium stearate.

Tablet coat: hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E 171), macrogol 400, macrogol 8000 and iron oxide yellow (E 172).

What Zolmitriptan Film-coated tablets looks like and contents of the pack

Yellow coloured, round, biconvex Film-coated tablets debossed with

497 on one side and deep break line on other side (diameter approximately: 7 mm).

The tablet can be divided into equal halves.

Zolmitriptan 2.5 mg Film-coated tablets are available in blisters of 6 or 12 tablets.

Manufacturers:

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals s.r.o., Fibichova 143, Vysoké Mýto, 566 17, Czech Republic.

or

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Europe Limited, Building 2, Croxley Green Business Park, Croxley Green, Hertfordshire, WD18 8YA,

United Kingdom.

Procured from within the EU and repackaged by PL holder:

PilsCo Ltd., 10-16 Colvilles Place, East Kilbride, G75 0SN.

Zolmitriptan 2.5 mg Film-coated tablets

PL 39467/0683 POM

Leaflet revision date: 25/09/2025.

Blind or partially sighted? Is this leaflet hard to see or read?

Call 01355 711697 to obtain the leaflet in a format suitable for you.

PIL0683.2

About this document

Source: MHRA - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (products.mhra.gov.uk) · Marketing authorisation: PLPI 39467/0683

Last revision stated in the text: 25 September 2025 · MHRA data as of 13 October 2026

Found a mistake? Tell us on the contact page.

The information on this site does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist.

Facts about Zolmitriptan 2.5 mg film-coated tablets

Active substance Zolmitriptan
Strength 2.5 mg
Pharmaceutical form Oral tablet
Yellow, round, biconvex, film-coated tablet with ‘ZMT 2.5’ debossed on one side.
How is it taken Oral
Excipients Anhydrous lactose, Colloidal anhydrous silica, Microcrystalline cellulose, Crospovidone, Magnesium stearate, Hypromellose, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Macrogol, Iron oxide yellow E172, Titanium dioxide E171, Talc
Is it available? No, all its packs are listed as discontinued (NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices – not a record of current supplies)
Shelf life 2 years
Storage Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture.
Drug group (ATC) Analgesics, Selective serotonin (5HT1) agonists
  1. N Nervous system drugs
    1. N02 Analgesics
      1. N02C Antimigraine preparations
        1. N02CC Selective serotonin (5HT1) agonists, antimigraine drugs
          1. N02CC03 zolmitriptan
Marketing authorisation PL 04416/1154 (first authorised 10 November 2025), PLPI 39467/0683
Marketing authorisation holder Sandoz Limited
Codes BNF 04070401

Sources: the MHRA product information (products.mhra.gov.uk) and the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d), release 10.2.0 of 19 October 2026, NHS Business Services Authority. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.