Frova Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Frova Tablet contains frovatriptan, a serotonin (5-HT1) receptor agonist belonging to the triptan class of medicines. It is a prescription medicine used to treat migraine attacks that have already started in adults, and it is not used to prevent migraines or lower how often they happen. Frova works by narrowing widened blood vessels in the brain and blocking nerve signals that cause migraine-related symptoms.

What is Frova Tablet

Frova is a prescription medicine used to treat migraine attacks that have already started in adults. It is not used to prevent migraines or lower how often they happen.

Frova Tablet uses

• Acute migraine with aura.
• Acute migraine without aura.
• Migraine attacks with moderate to severe headache.
• Migraine attacks that recur after initial relief.
• Migraine attacks accompanied by light or sound sensitivity.

Benefits of Frova Tablet

• Helps relieve migraine headache pain.
• May reduce headache severity.
• Can reduce migraine-related nausea.
• May ease sensitivity to light.
• May improve ability to continue daily activities during a migraine.

How Frova Tablet works

Frova belongs to a group of medicines called triptans. During a migraine, blood vessels in the brain widen, causing pain and swelling. Frova narrows these blood vessels to ease the pain, and it also blocks nerve signals that cause nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.

Frova Tablet dosage

Take a tablet as soon as you notice migraine symptoms starting. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. If your headache fully goes away and then returns, you may take a second tablet, but only if at least 2 hours have passed since the first one. If the headache does not go away at all after the first tablet, call your doctor before taking another. Do not take more than the recommended number of tablets in a 24-hour period. Do not take this medicine within 24 hours of taking another migraine medicine such as another triptan or an ergotamine-type medicine. Your first dose may be given in a hospital or clinic so you can be monitored. Tell your doctor if you have more than four migraine attacks in a month or if the medicine seems to stop working as well.

Available forms and strengths

• Film-coated oral tablet (2.5 mg)

Side effects of Frova Tablet

Common

• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Headache (other than a migraine headache)
• Numbness, tingling, or burning in arms, feet, or face
• Flushing (warm, hot, or burning feeling of the face)
• Feeling hot or cold
• Dry mouth
• Joint or bone pain
• Chest pain
• Indigestion

Serious

• Severe allergic reaction (breathing problems, swelling of face/lips/mouth/tongue/throat, hives, trouble swallowing)
• Chest pain, heart attack, or stroke symptoms (chest pain or pressure, fast or abnormal heartbeat, trouble breathing, pain in back/jaw/throat/arm, sudden weakness on one side of the body, sudden severe headache, slurred speech)
• Heart rhythm changes (fast, slow, pounding, or skipping heartbeat, fainting)
• Blood flow problems (pain or cramping in hips or legs, burning or aching pain in feet or toes, color or sensation changes in fingers and toes)
• Medicine overuse headache (headaches becoming more frequent or worse)
• Stomach or intestine problems (sudden or severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever)
• Serotonin syndrome (agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, loss of coordination, seizures, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
• Increased blood pressure (severe headache, chest pain, vision changes, nosebleed, anxiety)
• Seizures

Warnings and precautions

• Do not take Frova if you have certain heart or blood vessel problems, including coronary artery disease, chest pain (angina), a past heart attack or stroke, heart rhythm problems, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• Do not take Frova if you have hemiplegic migraine or basilar migraine, as it may raise the risk of stroke in these conditions.
• Do not take Frova if you have a history of ischemic bowel disease (reduced blood flow to the intestines), as it can make this condition worse.
• Do not take Frova within 24 hours of using another triptan or an ergotamine-type migraine medicine, due to the risk of prolonged blood vessel spasm.
• Combining Frova with certain antidepressants (SSRIs or SNRIs) can cause a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome.
• People 65 and older may be at greater risk for certain side effects from Frova and should discuss this with their doctor.
• Taking Frova more often than prescribed can cause headaches to happen more often or get worse, a condition called medicine overuse headache.
• It is not known if Frova could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• It is not known if Frova passes into breast milk. It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine, so ask your doctor about the risks.
• You should not use Frova if you have severe liver disease. There is no experience using Frova in people with severe liver impairment.
• It isn't known for certain if alcohol affects Frova, but drinking alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking it. Alcohol can also trigger migraines in some people.
• Frova can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness until you know how this medicine affects you.

Storage

• Store at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C).
• It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods, such as when transporting it.
• Store in a cool, dry place.
• Protect from moisture.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Get emergency help for signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, nausea, or sweating.
• Get emergency help for signs of a stroke, such as sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, or problems with vision or balance.
• Get medical help right away for sudden and severe stomach pain with bloody diarrhea.
• Get medical help right away for signs of blood circulation problems in the legs or feet, such as cramps, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, burning pain, or color changes.
• Get medical help right away for signs of high serotonin levels in the body, such as agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, loss of coordination, or fainting.
• Get medical help right away if you have a seizure.
• Call your doctor if you develop pain, tightness, heaviness, or pressure in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw.
• Call your doctor right away if you develop a rash or itching after taking Frova, as you may be allergic to it.

Alternatives

• Eletriptan
• Rizatriptan
• Sumatriptan