Reyvow is a brand-name prescription medication that’s FDA-approved to treat migraine in adults.

With migraine, you may have episodes of severe headache along with nausea or vomiting. Reyvow can be taken for migraine with or without aura. Auras are visual changes or sounds that a person may experience before or during a migraine episode.

Reyvow is approved to only treat a current migraine episode. The drug isn’t meant to prevent migraine episodes.

For more information about migraine and how Reyvow is used, see the “Reyvow uses” section below.

Drug details

Reyvow is a tablet that you’ll take by mouth as needed. It comes in the following strengths:

  • 50 milligrams (mg)
  • 100 mg

The active ingredient in Reyvow is lasmiditan. It belongs to a group of drugs called serotonin receptor agonists.

FDA approval

Reyvow was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019 to treat migraine with or without aura in adults.

Is Reyvow a controlled substance?

Yes, Reyvow is a schedule V controlled substance.

A controlled substance is a medication that’s monitored by the government because it may cause drug dependence or misuse. With drug dependence, your body needs a medication for it to feel right. With misuse, a medication is taken other than in the way it was prescribed.

Reyvow can cause feelings of relaxation and euphoria, and hallucinations. This may increase its risk of misuse.

Effectiveness

For information about the effectiveness of Reyvow, see the “Reyvow uses” section below.

The active ingredient in Reyvow is lasmiditan. Reyvow is available only as a brand-name medication. It’s not currently available in generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs.

Reyvow is taken to treat migraine episodes in adults. With migraine you may have episodes of severe headache along with nausea or vomiting.

Reyvow can be taken for migraine with or without aura. Auras are visual changes or sounds that a person may experience before or during a migraine episode.

It isn’t known for sure how Reyvow treats migraine. But the drug works on serotonin receptors (binding sites) in your brain.

Serotonin is a chemical that affects your mood. It’s thought that migraine episodes occur when serotonin levels become too low.

Reyvow attaches to serotonin receptors in your brain, blocking pain signals that may be causing migraine. This may be how Reyvow decreases your pain level and relieves a migraine episode.

How long does it take to work?

Reyvow will begin working right away to treat your migraine episode. But it may take 30 to 60 minutes for your symptoms to ease.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Reyvow to treat certain conditions.

Reyvow for migraine

Reyvow is FDA-approved to treat migraine in adults.

With migraine you may have episodes of severe headache along with nausea or vomiting. Often, migraine episodes only cause pain on one side of your head. They may be worsened by bright lights or loud sounds.

Reyvow can be taken for migraine with or without aura. Auras are visual changes or sounds that a person may experience before or during a migraine episode. Examples of aura may include ringing in your ears or flashes of bright light.

It’s important to note that Reyvow is approved to treat a current migraine episode. It should not be taken to prevent migraine episodes from happening.

To learn more about migraine, see Medical News Today’s headache and migraine hub.

Effectiveness for migraine

Reyvow is an effective treatment option for migraine with or without aura.

The active drug in Reyvow is lasmiditan. The American Headache Society’s update on migraine treatments includes lasmiditan as a new treatment option for migraine.

For more information on how Reyvow performed in clinical studies, see Reyvow’s prescribing information.

Reyvow and children

Reyvow is not approved for use in children. It’s not known if the drug is a safe or effective treatment option for children with migraine.

Your doctor or healthcare professional may recommend that you take Reyvow with other medications to treat migraine. (See the “Reyvow uses” section directly above for more information about migraine and how Reyvow is used.)

For example, they may recommend taking over-the-counter pain relievers to help relieve pain from a migraine episode. These medications include:

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for your migraine episodes.

Reyvow can cause mild or serious side effects. The following lists contain some of the key side effects that may occur while taking Reyvow. These lists do not include all possible side effects.

For more information about the possible side effects of Reyvow, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can give you tips on how to manage any side effects that may be concerning or bothersome.

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 side effects

Mild side effects* of Reyvow can include:

Most of these side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. But if they become more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

* This is a partial list of mild side effects from Reyvow. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or view Reyvow’s prescribing information.
* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect details” below.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Reyvow aren’t common, but they can occur. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

Serious side effects and their symptoms can include:

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect details” below.

Side effect details

Here’s some detail on certain side effects this drug may cause.

Problems affecting your ability to drive

Taking Reyvow may affect your ability to drive. This medication may decrease alertness and make you sleepy.

Do not drive a car or operate other machinery within 8 hours of taking a Reyvow dose. After taking a dose, it will not be safe for you to drive, even if you feel it is.

If you can’t wait 8 hours before driving, it is not recommended to take Reyvow. Instead, your doctor may recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol).

If you can’t avoid driving for at least 8 hours every time after you take Reyvow, talk with your doctor. They will recommend a different treatment option for your migraine episodes.

To find out how often this side effect occurred in clinical studies, see the drug’s prescribing information. For more information on this side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Headache due to overuse of migraine medication

It’s possible that taking Reyvow too often may cause migraine medication overuse headaches. You may experience worse headaches, especially if you are taking Reyvow 10 or more days each month for migraine episodes.

With this side effect, you may get severe migraine episodes that cause headaches. And they occur every day or more often than they did before you started taking the medication.

If you experience worsening migraine or more frequent episodes while taking Reyvow, talk with your doctor. They may recommend that you stop Reyvow and try another medication to treat migraine episodes. But keep in mind, this side effect may also occur with certain other drugs used to treat migraine episodes, such as triptans.

For more information on this side effect, see the drug’s prescribing information or talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Pins and needles sensation

Some people may experience paresthesia (a “pins and needles” sensation) with Reyvow. This may occur as a prickling or burning feeling in the hands or feet. This feeling was one of the most common side effects that was reported in people taking Reyvow.

If you experience “pins and needles” while taking Reyvow, talk with your doctor. They may be able to recommend ways to reduce how often this side effect occurs.

To find out how often this side effect occurred in clinical studies, see the drug’s prescribing information. For more information on this side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking Reyvow.

Symptoms of a mild allergic reaction can include:

A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:

  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat
  • trouble breathing

Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to Reyvow, as the reaction could become severe. Call 911 or your local emergency number if your symptoms feel life threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.

The Reyvow dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. These include:

  • the severity of the condition you’re taking Reyvow to treat
  • other medical conditions you may have

Your doctor will typically start you on a low dosage. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

Drug forms and strengths

Reyvow is a tablet you’ll take by mouth. It comes in the following strengths:

  • 50 milligrams (mg)
  • 100 mg

Dosage for migraine

The dosage of Reyvow for migraine is either 50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg, taken as needed.

You should not take more than one dose of Reyvow within a 24-hour period. And do not drive within 8 hours of taking a dose of Reyvow.

What if I miss a dose?

Reyvow is only taken when needed for a migraine episode that is currently happening. It’s not approved to prevent migraine episodes.

So you should not take this drug on a regular schedule. Only take this drug when you are experiencing a migraine episode.

Will I need to take this drug long term?

Reyvow is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment as needed for migraine. If you and your doctor determine that Reyvow is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term.

As with all medications, the cost of Reyvow can vary. The actual price you’ll pay depends on your insurance plan, your location, and the pharmacy you use.

Before approving coverage for Reyvow, your insurance company may require you to get prior authorization. This means that your doctor and insurance company will need to communicate about your prescription before the insurance company will cover the drug. The insurance company will review the prior authorization request and decide if the drug will be covered.

If you’re not sure if you’ll need to get prior authorization for Reyvow, contact your insurance company.

Financial and insurance assistance

If you need financial support to pay for Reyvow, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

Eli Lilly and Company, the manufacturer of Reyvow, offers a savings card to help lower the cost of its drug. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 833-REYVOW1 (833-739-8691). Or you can visit the manufacturer’s website.

For more information about saving money on prescriptions, check out this article.

Mail-order pharmacies

Reyvow may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to get your medication without leaving home.

If recommended by your doctor, you may be able to receive a 90-day supply of Reyvow, so there’s less concern about running out of the medication. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or your insurance company. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications.

If you don’t have insurance, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about online pharmacy options.

Generic version

The active ingredient in Reyvow is lasmiditan. Reyvow is a brand-name medication. It is not available in a generic form. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Other drugs are available that can treat migraine. Some may be a better fit for you than others. If you’re interested in finding an alternative to Reyvow, talk with your doctor. They can tell you about other medications that may work well for you.

Examples of other drugs that may be used to treat migraine include:

Both alcohol and Reyvow can cause central nervous system (CNS) depression. (With CNS depression, your brain function is slowed.)

Symptoms of CNS include:

If you are taking Reyvow and want to drink alcohol, it is recommended that you drink cautiously. This is because both Reyvow and alcohol can cause CNS depression. So this will help you avoid an increased risk of CNS depression, which can be very serious.

Talk with your doctor about how much alcohol, if any, is safe for you to drink while you are taking Reyvow.

Reyvow can interact with several other medications. It can also interact with certain herbs. Reyvow is not known to interact with foods.

Different interactions can cause different effects. For instance, some interactions can interfere with how well a drug works. Other interactions can increase side effects or make them more severe.

Reyvow and other medications

Below are lists of medications that can interact with Reyvow. These lists do not contain all drugs that may interact with Reyvow.

Before taking Reyvow, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you use. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Drugs that should be avoided when taking Reyvow

Certain drugs should be avoided when taking Reyvow. This includes drugs that work on proteins called P-glycoprotein (P-gp) or breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP). Taking Reyvow with these medications may prevent them from working correctly.

Examples of P-gp or BCRP medications include:

Drugs that may interact with Reyvow

Certain drugs may interact with Reyvow. These include:

Reyvow and herbs and supplements

Reyvow may interact with St. John’s wort, which is an herb that may be used by people with depression. Taking Reyvow with St. John’s wort may increase your risk of developing a serious side effect called serotonin syndrome.

If you are taking St. John’s wort, talk with your doctor before you start Reyvow.

Reyvow and foods

There aren’t any foods that have been specifically reported to interact with Reyvow. If you have any questions about eating certain foods with Reyvow, talk with your doctor.

You should take Reyvow according to the instructions your doctor gives you.

When to take

You should take a dose of Reyvow as needed for migraine episodes. You should not take more than one dose of Reyvow in a 24-hour period.

Be sure to avoid driving for at least 8 hours after your dose. If you cannot avoid driving for 8 hours after your dose of Reyvow, you should not take the medication.

Taking Reyvow with food

You can take your dose of Reyvow with or without food.

Can Reyvow be crushed, split, or chewed?

You should swallow Reyvow tablets whole. Do not crush, split, or chew the tablets.

If you have trouble swallowing pills, see this article or talk with your doctor.

It’s not known if Reyvow is safe to take during pregnancy or if it has any effects on a fetus.

In animal studies, problems with fetal development (also called birth defects) and fetal death occurred with exposure to Reyvow. However, keep in mind that animal studies do not always indicate what may happen in humans.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor before starting Reyvow. They may recommend a different medication for migraine.

It’s unknown if Reyvow is safe to take during pregnancy. If you’re sexually active and you or your partner can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about your birth control needs while you’re taking Reyvow.

For more information about taking Reyvow during pregnancy, see the “Reyvow and pregnancy” section above.

It’s not known if it’s safe to take Reyvow while breastfeeding or if it affects a child who is breastfed.

In animal studies, Reyvow was present in breast milk of lactating females. However, animal studies do not always indicate what may happen in humans.

If you’re breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before starting Reyvow.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Reyvow.

Will Reyvow prevent migraine episodes?

No, Reyvow is not approved to prevent migraine episodes. Instead, this medication treats a migraine episode that’s already happening.

If you’re interested in taking a medication to help prevent migraine episodes, talk with your doctor. They may recommend a different treatment plan for you.

Does Reyvow cure migraine?

No, Reyvow does not cure migraine. In fact, at this time, there isn’t a cure for migraine. Instead, Reyvow works to treat migraine episodes that are currently happening.

Can older people take Reyvow?

Yes, in general, older people can take Reyvow.

If you’re an older adult (usually considered 65 years of age or older), your doctor may recommend starting at a lower dose of Reyvow to see how the medication affects you. Older adults may be at a higher risk of developing side effects, especially dizziness and high blood pressure.

If you are an older adult who is interested in taking Reyvow, talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you.

Before taking Reyvow, talk with your doctor about your health history. Reyvow may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. These include:

  • Liver problems. When you take Reyvow, it’s broken down by your liver. If you have any liver conditions, you may not be able to get rid of Reyvow like usual. This may increase your risk of side effects. Tell your doctor about any liver problems that you have before you start taking Reyvow.
  • Increased blood pressure. Reyvow may cause an increase in your blood pressure. Be sure to tell your doctor if you already have high blood pressure. Reyvow may cause your blood pressure to become even higher, which can be dangerous. Your doctor may recommend monitoring your blood pressure more often while you are taking Reyvow.
  • Low heart rate. Reyvow may decrease your heart rate. If you already have a low heart rate, this medication may cause your heart rate to become too low, which can be unsafe. Your doctor may recommend that you monitor your heart rate or watch for symptoms of low heart rate, such as dizziness. In some cases, your doctor may recommend that you come into their office for a blood pressure and heart rate check. If you have a low heart rate, they may recommend a different medication to treat your migraine episodes.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Reyvow or any of its ingredients, you shouldn’t take Reyvow. Ask your doctor what other medications are better options for you.
  • Pregnancy. It is not known if Reyvow is safe to take during pregnancy. For more information, see the “Reyvow and pregnancy” section above.
  • Breastfeeding. It’s unknown if Reyvow is safe to take while breastfeeding. For more information, see the “Reyvow and breastfeeding” section above.

Note: For more information about the potential negative effects of Reyvow, see the “Reyvow side effects” section above.

Do not take more Reyvow than your doctor recommends. For some drugs, doing so may lead to unwanted side effects or overdose.

Taking Reyvow more often than 10 times per month may increase your risk of migraine medication overuse headaches. This may cause your migraine episodes to become more severe or occur more often. For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect details” above.

What to do in case you take too much Reyvow

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

Reyvow isn’t believed to cause withdrawal. During withdrawal, you experience certain symptoms after you stop taking a medication that your body is used to having.

In a clinical study, withdrawal effects did not happen in people who stopped Reyvow after taking the drug for 7 days.

There haven’t been any studies looking at whether Reyvow can cause drug dependence or misuse. With drug dependence, your body needs a medication for it to feel right. With misuse, a medication is taken other than in the way it was prescribed.

However, Reyvow can cause feelings of relaxation and euphoria, and hallucinations. And this may increase the risk of its misuse.

To learn more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

When you get Reyvow from the pharmacy, the pharmacist will add an expiration date to the label on the medication. This date is typically 1 year from the date they dispensed the medication.

The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time. The current stance of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is to avoid taking expired medications. If you have unused medication that has gone past the expiration date, talk with your pharmacist about whether you might still be able to take it.

Storage

How long a medication remains good to take can depend on many factors, including how and where you store the medication.

Reyvow tablets should be stored at room temperature, 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F). If needed, you can store this medication from 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) for a short time. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for more details about this.

Disposal

If you no longer need to take Reyvow and have leftover medication, it’s important to dispose of it safely. This helps prevent others, including children and pets, from taking the drug by accident. It also helps keep the drug from harming the environment.

This article provides several useful tips on medication disposal. You can also ask your pharmacist for information about how to dispose of your medication.

Disclaimer:Medical News Today 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.

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