Triptans

Date: November 2024, Version 1.0

Quick read

A triptan can be used in pregnancy if recommended by a doctor.

What are they?

Triptans are used to treat migraine. The most commonly used triptan is sumatriptan (Imigran®). Other triptans include almotriptan, eletriptan (Relpax®), frovatriptan (Migard®, Mylatrip®), naratriptan (Naramig®), rizatriptan (Maxalt®), and zolmitriptan (Zomig®).

Benefits

What are the benefits of taking a triptan in pregnancy?

Triptans treat migraine. This can reduce the effects of pain and other unpleasant symptoms of migraine on a woman’s quality of life.

Risks

Are there any risks of taking a triptan during pregnancy?

Sumatriptan has been well-studied and is not known to pose any risk to your baby.

There is less information on the other triptans but there are no concerns that they cause harm, and they can be used if necessary.

Alternatives

Are there any alternatives to taking a triptan?

Possibly. Paracetamol can be used to treat migraine throughout pregnancy. A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) painkiller like ibuprofen can be used under a doctor’s supervision before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Codeine may also be recommended by a doctor. However, if migraines are severe and a triptan is working well, continuing it during pregnancy may be the best option.

Women who take a triptan and are planning a pregnancy, or who have an unplanned pregnancy, should speak to their GP about whether a triptan is still the best medicine for them.

No treatment

What if I prefer not to take medicines during pregnancy?

Migraines often improve in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy so treatment may no longer be needed. If you do continue to have migraines in pregnancy it is important that you speak to your doctor. Women with untreated migraines in pregnancy are more likely to have their baby early and have a baby with a low birth weight.

Will my baby need extra monitoring?

All pregnant women in the UK will be offered a very detailed anomaly scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy as part of their routine antenatal care. No extra monitoring for major birth defects is required following use of a triptan in pregnancy.

Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken a triptan?

We do not expect any increased risk to your baby if the father takes a triptan.

Who can I talk to if I have questions?

If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet, please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.

How can I help to improve drug safety information for pregnant women in the future?

Our online reporting system (MyBump Portal) allows women who are currently pregnant to create a secure record of their pregnancy, collected through a series of questionnaires. You will be asked to enter information about your health, whether or not you take any medicines, your pregnancy outcome and your child's development. You can update your details at any time during pregnancy or afterwards. This information will help us better understand how medicines affect the health of pregnant women and their babies. Please visit the MyBump Portal to register.

General information
Sadly, miscarriage and birth defects can occur in any pregnancy.

Miscarriage occurs in about 1 in every 5 pregnancies, and 1 in every 40 babies are born with a birth defect. This is called the ‘background risk’ and happens whether medication is taken or not.

Most medicines cross the placenta and reach the baby. For many medications this is not a problem. However, some medicines can affect a baby’s growth and development.

If you take regular medication and are planning to conceive, you should discuss whether your medicine is safe to continue with your doctor/health care team before becoming pregnant. If you have an unplanned pregnancy while taking a medicine, you should tell your doctor as soon as possible.

If a new medicine is suggested for you during pregnancy, please make sure that the person prescribing it knows that you are pregnant. If you have any concerns about a medicine, you can check with your doctor, midwife or pharmacist.

Our Bumps information leaflets provide information about the effects of medicines in pregnancy so that you can decide, together with your healthcare provider, what is best for you and your baby.