Reyvow (lasmiditan)

Reyvow is a brand-name prescription medication. It’s approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat migraine episodes that happen with or without aura in adults.

Migraine is a condition that may cause severe headache along with other symptoms. Some people also have an aura with their migraine episode. A migraine aura is a group of symptoms that affect the nervous system. An aura may occur before or during a migraine episode.

Reyvow has a limitation of use. For details about this and migraine, see the “Reyvow: Use for migraine” section below.

The following table provides key facts about Reyvow.

* This means the drug has approved medical uses, but it also carries a risk for misuse. (With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it was prescribed by a healthcare professional.) Drugs with a lower schedule number have a greater risk for misuse than drugs with a higher schedule number. For example, Schedule II drugs have a greater risk for misuse than Schedule III drugs.

If you’re interested in taking this drug, search here to find a doctor who might prescribe it.

Reyvow contains the active drug lasmiditan. It only comes as a brand-name medication. It isn’t currently available as a generic drug.

A generic is an identical copy of the active drug found in a brand-name medication. Generics typically cost less than brand-name drugs.

As with most drugs, it’s possible to have side effects with Reyvow. These can include some mild side effects but also some serious ones.

To learn more about Reyvow’s side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may also provide information about managing certain side effects of this drug.

Note: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tracks side effects of drugs it has approved. If you would like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Reyvow, you can do so through MedWatch.

Mild and serious side effects of Reyvow are listed below. This article does not include all of Reyvow’s possible side effects.

Mild side effects* of Reyvow may include:

• drowsiness
• fatigue
• muscle weakness
• nausea
• paresthesia (pain, numbness, or tingling in the arms or legs)
• vomiting
• decreased heart rate
• temporary increases in blood pressure
• mild dizziness
• mild drowsiness
• mild allergic reaction†

Most times, mild side effects of a drug go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if any side effects become severe or don’t go away.

* This is not a complete list of Reyvow’s mild side effects. To learn about other mild side effects of this drug, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or you can view the drug’s prescribing information.
† To learn more about allergic reaction, see below.

Serious side effects of Reyvow may include:

• serotonin syndrome (a condition that can occur if you have high levels of a brain chemical called serotonin)
• rebound headache (a condition that can occur if Reyvow is taken too often)
• slowing of the central nervous system, which may lead to severe dizziness or drowsiness
• hallucinations
• severe allergic reaction*

Serious side effects from Reyvow aren’t common, but they are possible. If you have serious side effects, call your doctor right away. However, if you’re having a medical emergency or your symptoms feel life threatening, call 911 or a local emergency number.

* To learn more about allergic reaction, see below.

Prescription drugs, such as Reyvow, are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain conditions.

The FDA has approved Reyvow to treat migraine episodes that happen with or without aura in adults.

Migraine is a condition that may cause severe headache along with other symptoms. Examples of these symptoms include:

• nausea and vomiting
• mood changes
• brain fog
• neck pain
• phantom smells
• sensitivity to sound or light

Some people also have an aura with their migraine episode. A migraine aura is a group of symptoms that affect the nervous system. Examples of these symptoms include:

• vision changes, such as vision loss or seeing flashes of light
• numbness and tingling that starts on one side of your body
• dizziness
• problems speaking or communicating with others
• muscle weakness

The manufacturer of Reyvow has noted a limitation to the drug’s use. This is a situation in which doctors are not likely to prescribe the drug.

Doctors won’t prescribe Reyvow to help prevent migraine episodes. The drug is only used to treat migraine episodes that are already occurring.

Doctors typically don’t prescribe Reyvow for use in children. The drug is only approved for use in adults.

If you’re interested in taking Reyvow, you can find a doctor who might prescribe it by searching here. You can prepare for your appointment by visiting Healthgrades’ appointment guide for migraine.

Below, you’ll find dosages that are commonly recommended for Reyvow. However, you should take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll recommend the dosage schedule that’s best for your needs.

The dosage of Reyvow that your doctor prescribes will depend on factors such as:

• your age
• the severity of the migraine episode you’re using Reyvow to treat

Reyvow is available as follows.

• Form: oral tablet
• Strengths: 50 milligrams (mg) and 100 mg

Reyvow is approved to treat migraine episodes that happen with or without aura in adults.

Your doctor will tell you the exact dosage of Reyvow to take during a migraine episode. The drug’s recommended dosage for migraine is as follows.

• Dosage during a migraine episode: 50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg* at the start of a migraine episode
• Maximum daily dosage: one dose in a 24-hour period
• Maximum monthly dosage: four doses in a 30-day period

* For a 200-mg dose, you’ll take either four 50-mg tablets or two 100-mg tablets.

Below are some things to consider about Reyvow’s dosage.

Missing a dose. Reyvow is taken only when needed to treat a migraine episode. Do not take extra doses if you miss a dose that you meant to take.

Length of treatment. Doctors typically don’t prescribe Reyvow as a long-term treatment. Instead, they usually prescribe it for a short time to treat a migraine episode. However, you may take Reyvow over a long period of time if you continue having migraine episodes.

Keep in mind that Reyvow should not be used to treat more than four migraine episodes in a 30-day period. If you have more than four migraine episodes each month, talk with your doctor. They can suggest methods to help prevent migraine episodes.

As with other medications, prices for Reyvow may vary. The drug’s price will depend on factors such as:

• the pharmacy you use
• your insurance coverage

Here’s a list of things to consider when looking into the cost of Reyvow.

• Option for a 90-day supply. For some drugs, it’s possible to get a 90-day supply. If this option is approved by your insurance company, it can help lower the cost of the drug. It can also help you avoid frequent trips to your pharmacy. If you’d like to learn more about this option, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company.
• Need for prior authorization. Before insurance coverage for Reyvow is approved, your insurance company may require prior authorization. In this case, your doctor and insurance company will communicate about your prescription for Reyvow. Then, the insurance company will decide if the drug will be covered. To find out if you need prior authorization for Reyvow, contact your insurance company.
• Possible cost assistance options. Financial assistance to help lower the cost of Reyvow is available. A savings card for Reyvow may help reduce its cost. To learn more and see if you’re eligible for support, call 833-REYVOW1 (833-739-8691). Or you can visit the manufacturer’s website. Also, check out this article to learn about ways to save on prescription drugs.
• Use of a mail-order pharmacy. Reyvow may be dispensed through mail-order pharmacies. Getting your prescription through a mail-order pharmacy could lower its cost. It can also allow you to get the drug without leaving home. To find out more about this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance company.
• Availability of a generic form. Reyvow doesn’t come in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Typically, generics cost less than brand-name drugs.

Doctors may prescribe drugs other than Reyvow for your condition. Certain drugs may work better for you than others.

Reyvow is used to treat migraine in adults. Here’s a summary of other drugs that doctors sometimes prescribe for this condition.

For additional information about alternatives to Reyvow, ask your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that could be prescribed for your condition. Your doctor can tell you about other similar drugs, such as ubrogepant (Ubrelvy) and rimegepant (Nurtec ODT).

Here are some common questions about Reyvow and brief answers to them. If you’d like to know more about these topics, ask your doctor.

Possibly. In rare cases, Reyvow may cause euphoria as a side effect. Euphoria can be described as feeling “high” or having a sense of extreme happiness.

Euphoria was not commonly reported in clinical studies of Reyvow. However, medications that cause euphoria as a side effect often carry a risk of misuse. (With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it was prescribed by a healthcare professional.)

Due to this risk, Reyvow is a controlled substance. To learn more, see “Why is Reyvow a controlled substance?” below.

Reyvow is a Schedule V controlled substance. This means the drug has approved medical uses, but it also carries a risk of misuse. (With misuse, a drug is taken in a way other than how it was prescribed by a healthcare professional.)

Controlled substances have specific regulations that doctors must follow when prescribing them. Keep in mind that drugs with a lower schedule number have a greater risk of misuse than drugs with a higher schedule number. For example, Schedule II drugs have a greater risk of misuse than Schedule III drugs.

In clinical studies, Reyvow was shown to have a risk of misuse. In addition, certain rare side effects of Reyvow may increase its risk of misuse. Examples include hallucinations and euphoria (feeling “high”).

Other factors can also increase the risk of misuse with Reyvow. For example, people who have drug dependence or alcohol use disorder may have a higher risk for misuse of the drug. If you have these conditions or had them in the past, talk with your doctor. They’ll advise whether it’s safe for you to take Reyvow.

No, you should not drive soon after taking Reyvow. In fact, it’s recommended that you avoid driving for at least 8 hours after taking a dose of the drug.

This is because Reyvow can cause slowing of the central nervous system (CNS) as a side effect. Reduced activity of the CNS may lead to severe dizziness or drowsiness. These side effects could be dangerous if they occur while you’re driving. For this reason, it’s best not to drive or perform activities that require you to be alert within 8 hours after taking Reyvow.

If you’re unable to avoid driving for at least 8 hours after taking Reyvow, talk with your doctor. They can recommend treatments other than Reyvow for your condition.  

Reyvow is approved to treat migraine episodes that happen with or without aura in adults. To learn more about this condition, see the “Reyvow: Use for migraine” section above.

Reyvow belongs to a class of drugs called serotonin receptor agonists. (Serotonin is a chemical produced in your brain.)

The exact way Reyvow works to treat migraine isn’t known. The drug is thought to attach to serotonin receptors (binding sites) in the brain. By doing this, Reyvow may help block pain signals that cause migraine episodes. As a result, Reyvow helps ease the symptoms of a migraine episode.

Many people using Reyvow in clinical studies reported an easing of their migraine symptoms within 2 hours of taking a dose.

Reyvow likely stays in your body for about 1 day.

This is based on Reyvow’s half-life. (A drug’s half-life is the amount of time it takes for half of a drug’s dose to leave your body.) Reyvow’s half-life is about 5.7 hours. This means it takes about 5.7 hours for half of a drug’s dose to leave your body.

It usually takes about five half-lives for a drug to leave your body completely. For Reyvow, this means the drug stays in your body for about 28.5 hours. 

You should not drink alcohol while taking Reyvow.

This is because both Reyvow and alcohol can cause slowing of the central nervous system (CNS), which may lead to dizziness or drowsiness. Taking Reyvow with alcohol could worsen these side effects.

In addition, drinking alcohol can trigger a migraine episode for some people. (Reyvow is used to treat migraine episodes.) If you drink alcohol and it is a known trigger for your migraine episodes, it may be best to avoid drinking it while taking this medication.

If you have questions about drinking alcohol while taking Reyvow, talk with your doctor.

Reyvow may interact with other medications and certain supplements. The drug isn’t known to interact with any foods.

Different interactions can cause different effects. Some interactions can interfere with a drug’s effectiveness. Others can increase a drug’s side effects or cause them to be severe.

Before you start Reyvow, be sure to tell your doctor about any medications, herbs, vitamins, or supplements you take. They can check for any possible interactions between these products and Reyvow.

If any of the interactions listed below might pertain to you, talk with your doctor. They can tell you what you need to do to avoid the interaction.

• Reyvow and other medications. Because Reyvow may interact with the following drugs, your doctor may recommend you do not take it with these drugs. Examples include:
  • serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as duloxetine (Cymbalta, Drizalma Sprinkle) and venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
  • selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram (Celexa) and sertraline (Zoloft)
  • monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as phenelzine (Nardil) and isocarboxazid (Marplan)
  • tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as amitriptyline and imipramine (Tofranil)
  • Beta-blockers, such as propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL) and metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)
  • benzodiazepines, such as clonazepam (Klonopin) and alprazolam (Xanax)
  • sedative hypnotics, such as zolpidem (Ambien and Ambien CR) and eszopiclone (Lunesta)
  • opioids, such as morphine (MS Contin) and hydrocodone (Hysingla ER)
  • the antidepressant drug trazodone
  • the cough suppressant drug dextromethorphan (Delsym)
  • the abnormal heart rhythm drugs digoxin (Lanoxin) and quinidine
  • the alpha-blocker drug prazosin (Minipress)
  • the aminosalicylate drug sulfasalazine (Azulfidine)
• Reyvow and herbs and supplements. Certain herbs and supplements may interact with Reyvow. An example is St. John’s wort.
• Reyvow and foods. There aren’t any interactions known between Reyvow and foods. If you have questions about how certain foods may affect Reyvow, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

For information about drug-condition interactions, see the “Reyvow: Precautions” section below.

Your doctor will recommend how you should take Reyvow. It’s important to take the drug exactly as your doctor instructs.

Reyvow comes as an oral tablet. You’ll take the drug by swallowing it.

Here’s a list of common questions related to taking Reyvow.

• When should I take Reyvow? You’ll take Reyvow at the start of a migraine episode.
• Do I need to take Reyvow with food? You can take Reyvow with or without food.
• Can Reyvow be chewed, split, or crushed? No, Reyvow should not be chewed, split, or crushed. You’ll swallow the tablets whole. If you have trouble swallowing Reyvow tablets, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
• Is there a best time of day to take Reyvow? No, there isn’t a best time of day to take Reyvow. You can take the drug any time of day when you have a migraine episode.

It’s not known whether Reyvow is safe to take during pregnancy. There isn’t enough information about the drug’s use in pregnancy to know for certain.

Animal studies have shown harm to offspring of animals given this medication while pregnant. However, animal studies do not always predict what will happen in humans.

If you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about the risks and benefits of taking Reyvow during pregnancy.

If you take Reyvow while pregnant, you’re encouraged to enroll in a pregnancy registry. Pregnancy registries collects information about the effects of certain medications when used during pregnancy. To learn more, talk with your doctor. You can also call 833-464-4724 or visit the registry website.

Doctors aren’t sure whether it’s safe to take Reyvow during pregnancy. Talk with your doctor about your birth control needs with Reyvow if you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant. Your doctor can recommend if you should use birth control with this medication.

It isn’t known whether Reyvow passes into breast milk. It also isn’t known whether the drug may cause side effects in a breastfed child.

If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about the risks and benefits of taking Reyvow while breastfeeding. Your doctor can also suggest other healthy ways to feed your child.

Tell your doctor about your health history before starting treatment with Reyvow. Your doctor may not recommend this medication if you have certain factors affecting your health or specific medical conditions. These situations are considered drug-condition interactions.

These factors and conditions include those listed below.

• Low heart rate. Before starting Reyvow, tell your doctor if you have a low heart rate. The drug may cause decreased heart rate as a side effect. If you already have a low heart rate, taking Reyvow could reduce your heart rate to an unsafe level. Your doctor may check your heart rate from time to time during Reyvow treatment. If your heart rate is too low, your doctor will advise whether it’s safe to keep taking the drug.
• High blood pressure. Before starting Reyvow treatment, tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure. The drug may cause temporary increases in blood pressure as a side effect. If you already have high blood pressure, taking Reyvow could increase your blood pressure to an unsafe level. Your doctor may check your blood pressure occasionally while you’re taking Reyvow. If it’s too high, your doctor will recommend whether you should keep taking the drug.
• Liver problems. Before taking Reyvow, tell your doctor if you have severe liver problems, such as liver failure. It’s not known whether Reyvow is safe for people who have severe liver problems. The drug hasn’t been studied in people with these conditions. If you have severe liver problems, your doctor will recommend whether Reyvow is a safe treatment option for you.
• Allergic reaction. Your doctor will likely not prescribe Reyvow if you’ve had an allergic reaction to it or any of its ingredients. To find out about other treatment options, talk with your doctor.
• Pregnancy. It isn’t known whether Reyvow is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’d like additional information about taking Reyvow while pregnant, view the “Reyvow: Taking while pregnant” section above.
• Breastfeeding. It’s not known whether Reyvow is safe to take while breastfeeding. If you’d like additional information about taking Reyvow while breastfeeding, view the “Reyvow: Taking while breastfeeding” section above.

To learn more about effects of Reyvow that could be harmful, see the “Reyvow: Side effects” section above.

For some drugs, taking more than the recommended dosage may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose. Do not use more Reyvow than your doctor advises.

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much of this drug. Also, you can call the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. However, if your symptoms are severe, call 911 or your local emergency number. Or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

Here’s some information about Reyvow’s expiration date, as well as how to store and dispose of the drug.

• Expiration. Your pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on Reyvow’s packaging. This date is usually 1 year from the date the medication was dispensed to you. Expiration dates help ensure that a medication is effective during a period of time. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises Trusted Source Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Governmental authority Go to source that you avoid taking expired drugs. If you have an unused medication and it’s past the drug’s expiration date, talk with your pharmacist. They can let you know whether you might still be able to use the medication.
• Storage. Many factors determine how long a medication remains good to use. These factors include how and where you store the drug. Reyvow tablets should be stored at a temperature of 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). You can temporarily store them at a temperature between 59°F and 86°F (15°C and 15°C), such as while traveling. Avoid storing it in areas where it could get damp or wet, such as bathrooms. The medication should be kept in a tightly sealed container.
• Disposal. It’s important to safely dispose of Reyvow if you no longer need to take it and have unused medication. Doing so helps prevent others, including children and pets, from accidentally taking the drug. It also helps avoid causing harm to the environment. Ask your pharmacist for information about disposing of Reyvow. Also, check out this page for several tips on safe medication disposal.

If you have questions about Reyvow, talk with your doctor. They can help advise you on whether Reyvow could be a good treatment option for you.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• Do I have a high risk of misuse with Reyvow?
• Can I increase my own dosage of Reyvow if the drug isn’t working for my condition?
• What should I do if I have more than four migraine episodes per month while taking Reyvow?

Your doctor may also tell you about other treatment options for your condition. You may find this article helpful in learning about alternative drugs for migraine. And view our selection of videos on migraine.

Disclaimer: Healthgrades has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.