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

Reyvow is an acute (immediate) migraine treatment. You only take it when you have a migraine episode. It isn’t taken on a regular basis to prevent migraine symptoms.

Here are some fast facts about Reyvow:

  • Active ingredient: lasmiditan
  • Drug class: serotonin receptor agonist
  • Drug form: oral tablet
  • FDA approval year: 2020

Like other drugs, Reyvow can cause side effects. Read on to learn about potential common, mild, and serious side effects. For a general overview of Reyvow, see this article.

Reyvow can cause side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Reyvow in clinical trials:

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

Mild side effects can occur with Reyvow use. This list doesn’t include all the possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Reyvow’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Reyvow include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days or weeks. But if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Reyvow and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

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

Reyvow may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all the possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Reyvow’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Reyvow, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

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

Reyvow may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about these side effects and their answers.

Will Reyvow make me feel high?

Possibly. In clinical trials, some people who took Reyvow reported having a euphoric mood (a “high” or a feeling of extreme happiness). Some people also reported a feeling of relaxation, hallucinations, or “feeling abnormal.” But these side effects weren’t common.

Medications that cause a euphoric mood can be misused (used in a way other than how they’re prescribed, such as to feel high). Some people have a higher risk of drug misuse than others. If you’re concerned about this risk, talk with your doctor before taking Reyvow.

Are older adults at a higher risk of side effects from Reyvow?

Adults ages 65 years and older may be more likely to have dizziness from Reyvow than younger adults. In general, dizziness is a bigger concern in older people than in younger people. This is because dizziness may cause older adults to fall and have a serious injury (such as a hip fracture).

Also, in clinical trials, people 65 years and older had more significant increases in blood pressure than younger adults. But increases in blood pressure from Reyvow are usually temporary.

If you have questions about your risk of side effects while taking Reyvow, talk with your doctor.

Will I have more side effects if my doctor increases my dosage of Reyvow?

It’s possible. Certain side effects of Reyvow are more likely to occur with higher doses.

Examples of side effects that occurred more frequently with 200-milligram (mg) or 100-mg doses, compared with 50-mg doses, in clinical trials include:

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your Reyvow dosage or any bothersome side effects.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Reyvow may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Reyvow.

Dizziness

Dizziness is a common side effect of Reyvow. In fact, it was the most common side effect seen in the drug’s clinical trials. Dizziness was severe enough in some people that they stopped taking the medication.

This side effect is more common in people taking higher doses (100 or 200 milligrams) of Reyvow. Adults ages 65 years and older are more likely to have dizziness from Reyvow than younger adults.

Keep in mind that migraine can cause dizziness, and Reyvow is used to treat migraine episodes when they start.

What you can do

You may feel dizzy for several hours after taking a dose of Reyvow. This side effect should go away on its own within about 8 hours, when the medication wears off.

If dizziness becomes severe or doesn’t go away, talk with your doctor. They may suggest a medication such as meclizine to ease this side effect. Or they may change your dosage or prescribe a different migraine treatment.

Drowsiness

Reyvow might make you feel drowsy. Drowsiness was a more common side effect in the drug’s clinical trials.

You should not drive after taking Reyvow. Wait at least 8 hours before you drive, operate heavy machinery, or attempt any activity that requires you to be alert.

Since Reyvow causes drowsiness, drinking alcohol or taking other drugs that can cause drowsiness is not recommended.

What you can do

It’s important that you only take this medication when you’re at home or somewhere that you can sleep if needed. Do not take a dose of Reyvow if you’ll need to drive or be alert in the next 8 hours.

If you or someone else who’s taken Reyvow experience any of the following symptoms, call 911 or your local emergency number:

  • lethargy (extreme lack of energy)
  • trouble breathing
  • not waking up from sleep, or loss of consciousness

Temporary changes in your blood pressure or heart rate

Reyvow may cause temporary changes in your blood pressure or heart rate. After taking a dose of Reyvow, some people in the drug’s clinical trials had slightly increased blood pressure. Some people also had a slightly decreased heart rate.

These changes are usually temporary and go away a few hours after you take a dose. In trials, people’s blood pressure was no longer increased after about 2 hours.

Still, it’s a good idea to watch for symptoms of high blood pressure or low heart rate. Symptoms may include:

  • dizziness
  • fainting
  • headache
  • chest pain

What you can do

Changes in your blood pressure or heart rate due to Reyvow should go away on their own.

If you already have high blood pressure that isn’t effectively managed with medication, or if you have heart problems, talk with your doctor. They’ll help decide if it’s safe for you to try Reyvow. They may have you check your blood pressure or monitor your heart rate after you take it. Or they may suggest a different migraine treatment for you.

Sleep disturbances or hallucinations

Some people who took Reyvow in clinical trials had sleep disturbances, such as unusual dreams. This side effect wasn’t considered serious, and it wasn’t common.

There have also been reports of hallucinations (seeing or otherwise sensing things that aren’t really there) in people taking Reyvow. These hallucinations may occur when you’re “half asleep” or just about to fall asleep. (Keep in mind that Reyvow usually causes drowsiness.)

What you can do

This side effect should go away once your dose wears off, in about 8 hours. But if sleep disturbances or hallucinations bother or distress you, or if they don’t go away, talk with your doctor. They’ll likely suggest a different migraine treatment option.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Reyvow can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Allergic reactions were rare in Reyvow’s clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your lips, eyelids, feet, or hands
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Reyvow. But if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Reyvow. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The conditions and factors to consider include:

  • High blood pressure. Taking Reyvow may cause a temporary increase in blood pressure. Doctors may not prescribe Reyvow if you already have high blood pressure that isn’t well-managed with medication. Or, they may have you monitor your blood pressure closely after taking a dose of Reyvow.
  • Severe liver problems. Reyvow may not be safe for people with severe liver problems. The drug’s clinical trials included people with mild to moderate liver problems, and the drug was found to be safe for this group. But Reyvow wasn’t studied in people with severe liver problems. Talk with your doctor about whether Reyvow is safe for you to try if you have severe liver problems.
  • Heart problems. Reyvow may cause temporary decreases in heart rate. Doctors may not prescribe Reyvow if you have bradycardia (slow heart rate) or coronary heart disease (also called ischemic heart disease). They also might not prescribe Reyvow if you take a medication that slows down your heart rate. Or, they may monitor you closely after you take Reyvow to help determine if the drug is safe for you.
  • Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Reyvow or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe it. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Alcohol use with Reyvow

You should not take Reyvow with alcohol.

This is because both Reyvow and alcohol are central nervous system (CNS) depressants. CNS depressants slow down your brain function. This can lead to harmful effects, such as:

Having Reyvow and alcohol in your system at the same time can increase these risks.

It’s also important to note that drinking alcohol, such as wine, can trigger migraine episodes in some people.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about how long you should wait after a dose of Reyvow to have alcohol. You may also want to discuss if it’s better for you to avoid alcohol altogether.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Reyvow

It isn’t known if Reyvow is safe to take during pregnancy. The drug’s effects haven’t been studied in human pregnancies. In studies of the drug in animals, problems with fetal development and fetal death occurred.

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking Reyvow. They’ll help you weigh the risks and benefits of Reyvow and other treatment options for migraine.

It isn’t known if Reyvow is safe to take while breastfeeding. The drug’s effects on human breast milk and breastfed children haven’t been studied. In animal studies, Reyvow passed into animal breast milk.

Reyvow is a controlled substance. It’s classified as a schedule V prescription drug.

Schedule V drugs have approved medical uses, but they also have the potential for dependence and misuse. Dependence means that you need the drug in order to function normally. Misuse refers to using a drug in a way other than how it’s prescribed.

Because of these risks, there are additional laws about how Reyvow can be prescribed and dispensed.

In clinical trials, some people who took Reyvow experienced a euphoric mood (a “high” or feeling of extreme happiness). Some people also reported a feeling of relaxation. But these side effects weren’t common.

Medications such as Reyvow that cause a euphoric mood or relaxation are sometimes misused and can cause psychological dependence. Some people may be more likely to develop these problems, including anyone who has misused drugs or alcohol in the past.

In Reyvow’s trials, drug withdrawal was not reported. With withdrawal, symptoms occur when you stop taking or take less of a drug that your body is dependent on. Reyvow isn’t likely to cause physical dependence.

If you have questions or concerns about misusing Reyvow, talk with your doctor before you start the treatment.

Side effects of Reyvow are typically mild and temporary. Serious side effects are rare. It’s important to note that after taking a dose of Reyvow, you should wait at least 8 hours before driving, due to the risk of drowsiness and dizziness.

If you’d like to learn more about Reyvow, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions about side effects of the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

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.