Frova

frovatriptan, frovatriptan succinate

Frova, or frovatriptan, is in a class of drugs called Triptans and is used to relieve pain from migraines.

While side effects cannot be anticipated, some common reactions include bone pain, dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, flushing, headache, hot or cold sensation, joint pain and a tingling feeling.

In July 2006, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public heath advisory warning of a potential life-threatening problem known as serotonin syndrome, which may develop in patients who take Frova while taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, popular anti-depressants. Both types of drugs are designed to boost the levels of the chemical serotonin in the brain.

In 2007, Vernalis, maker of Frova, updated the pill’s website to warn of reported cases of serotonin syndrome associated with the use of triptans, including Frova.

Other triptan drugs include:

• Amerge (naratriptan)
• Axert (frovatriptan)
• Imitrex (sumatriptan)
• Maxalt and Malaxt MLT (rizatriptan)
• Relpax (eletriptan)
• Zomig and Zomig ZMG (zolmitriptan)

Some SSRIs that may cause serotonin syndrome when combined with triptan drugs include:

• Celexa (citalopram)
• Fluvoxamine
• Lexapro (escitalopram)
• Paxil (paroxetine)
• Prozac (fluoxetine)
• Symbyax (olanzapine/fuloxetine)
• Zoloft (sertraline)