<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Thank you for all the quick responses on Imitrex and other migraine meds.  I
got a few samples of Amerge from my physician to try.  Here is the summary
of the responses.  Carol

I take prescription preventive daily meds that are g-f: Zonegran (200
mg/day) and Depakote (down to 500 mg/day). For immediate relief for the rare
flare-up, I try regular Tylenol first and if that doesn't cut it, I take
prescription MAXALT MLT 10 - melt in your mouth - also g-f.

Imitrex used to give me severe diarrhea. And the headache would occur again
(albeit a little less intense) 24 hours later. I have since switched to
Migranol which is a nasal spray. Again, a little of the runs but nothing to
worry about and it works effectively for me.

I use Imitrex without problems.

I take Imitrex all the time and have never had a celiac reaction from it. I
used to get stomach distress, churning, burning, etc until I learned to take
Imitrex with food, then eat again one hour later - things like milk,
bananas, prunes, cottage cheese etc. No acid food like OJ.

I asked about migraine meds and had just switched to AMERGE - it works on my
migraines where Imitrex did not and is GF!

I have been on amitriptyline (generic name for Elavil- GF) for nearly 10
years to prevent migraines. Before going on this, I tried all sorts of
medications (this was prior to my going on a gluten-free diet) and none of
them worked with the migraines and/or the meds (beta-blockers) knocked me
for a loop and I lost a weekend. LOL Anyway, the doc put me on 25mg of
Elavil at night and after being on it for a month, my weekly migraines
stopped - I have not had a migraine now in 10 years.

In Canada, Imitrex is gluten free. Due to side effects such as racing heart
which bothered me, I switched as soon as the newer generation of migraine
medicine hit the market several years ago. The newer one is called Amerge.
Both medications are made by the same company. Amerge has WAY less side
effects for me, and in Canada it is also gluten free. Based on their
website, and the ingredients listed there, I would assume they are also GF
in the US.

I've been so thankful to have found Maxalt-MLT for my migraines.
Unfortunately, it's very expensive, so the insurance company wanted to be
sure I had tried less expensive drugs first. I reminded my doctor that my CD
actually was a reason for me to take Maxalt. Since it dissolves in my mouth,
it's not so easily compromised by my sometimes faulty digestive system.

Imitrex is  listed as a gf drug per the list. I've used it and no problem.
The spray form goes directly into the system w/o entering thru the stomach.
Also, try Maxalt-MLT tabs.

I've been taking Imitrex for at least 6 months as prescribed by my doctor.
We both researched the gf status of this drug before he put me on it.

I'd taken Imitrex for a while, too, but for me it just stopped working.
These days, I'm taking Maxalt, 10mg dosage, up to 4x/day, which is in the
same "triptan" family of meds, but it's slightly different in chemical
structure.

Relafen is a great migraine medication for some, although you have to find
out whether it's GF. I don't have that info.

I use Anaprox and Midrin. I want to tell you something that I consider VERY
important. Since going GF I also looked into other food allergies that I
might have. I have had both CAP RAST testing as well as the wheal testing.
The testing using the wheal method has shown surprising items and I have had
antigens made up that I use regularly to build my body's resistance to them.
I confirmed these items with the CAP RAST blood test as well as finding
others using the CAP RAST. The reason I tell you all this is because I have
98% eliminated my migraines. Now just an FYI Fiorocet with codeine is not
GF.   Lastly, I have used oral Zomig in the past with some success. I cannot
use any other form of Imitrex, except the injectable. My cousin uses
Migranol and has great success with that, she is anaphylactically allergic
to dairy but not gluten free so check the status of that one.. As a final
FYI, many pain meds, like codeine, vicodin (hydrocodone), darvocet and the
like can cause VERY severe rebounds headaches and many doctors fail to
inform you of this. Then your body becomes desensitized to them and you
won't find near as much relief from these drugs AND they will cause rebound
much easier. Beware of that. Only 10% of my many doctors have ever mentioned
this to me!

One person uses Excedrin Migraine and ice packs.     Excedrin, all kinds are
gf.



Fiorinal is the best, as far as I'm concerned........you need to watch out
for how many you take and for how long, however, since it is addictive. We
find that if you take one the minute you feel a headache coming on, Fiorinal
stops it in its tracks, truly a lifesaver.........

I take Fiorocet (spelling?), usually generic. Never had a problem.

I take both Imitrex and Zomig, and haven't had a problem with either. I also
searched the archives and some web sites listing gluten-free drugs; I never
found any indication that either of these meds contained gluten.





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