5-HT1B/1D agonist (triptan)
Naratriptan
Brand names: Naramig
Adult dose
Dose: 2.5mg at onset of headache; may repeat after ≥4h if recurrence (max 5mg/24h)
Route: PO
Frequency: PRN
Clinical pearls
- Slower onset, longer half-life — useful for menstrual migraine
- Take at onset of headache phase, not aura
Contraindications
- Ischaemic heart disease
- Cerebrovascular disease
- Severe hypertension
- Severe hepatic/renal impairment
- Concurrent ergot or other triptan within 24h
Side effects
- Chest tightness
- Paraesthesia
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Serotonin syndrome with SSRIs
Interactions
- Other triptans/ergot
- SSRIs/SNRIs
- MAOIs
Reference: BNF; NICE CG150; https://bnf.nice.org.uk/drugs/naratriptan/. Verify against your local formulary and the latest BNF before prescribing.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Pathways
- Acute Stroke / TIA Assessment · NICE NG128; RCP Stroke Guidelines 2023
- Status Epilepticus (Adults) · NICE CG137; ESEM guidelines; RCP Neurology Guidelines
- Suspected Subarachnoid Haemorrhage · NICE NG228; RCEM 2023; AHA/ASA 2023
- Adult Head Injury · NICE NG232 (2023)
- Bell's Palsy / Facial Nerve Palsy · ENT UK 2017; AAN
- Vertigo Workup · ENT UK; NICE CKS