Zavzpret (zavegepant) is a brand-name nasal spray prescribed to treat migraine with or without aura in adults. As with other drugs, Zavzpret can cause side effects, such as unusual taste, nausea, and nasal discomfort.

Zavzpret can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, 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 used Zavzpret in clinical trials:

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

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

Mild side effects that have been reported with Zavzpret include:

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, 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 and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Zavzpret and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Zavzpret. This side effect was reported in the drug’s clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

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

If you develop serious side effects during Zavzpret treatment, 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 severe allergic reaction. For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Zavzpret may cause several side effects. Here are some frequently asked questions about the drug’s side effects and their answers.

Does Zavzpret cause any long-term side effects?

It’s unlikely that Zavzpret use will cause long-term side effects. There were no reports of long lasting side effects in the drug’s clinical trials. More common side effects, such as nasal soreness, were usually mild and temporary. For more information about the drug’s side effects, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about the safety of using Zavzpret long term.

How do the side effects of Zavzpret compare with those of Imitrex?

Zavzpret and Imitrex (sumatriptan) can cause some of the same side effects. However, these medications belong to different drug classes and work in distinct ways to treat migraine. So while they share some side effects, others are unique to each drug.

Both medications are prescribed to treat migraine with or without aura. Imitrex comes as a nasal spray, oral tablet, and injection. Zavzpret comes only as a nasal spray.

More common side effects reported with Zavzpret and Imitrex nasal sprays include nose irritation, nausea and vomiting, and changes in taste. However, Imitrex but not Zavzpret can cause serious side effects including cardiovascular problems.

If you’d like to know more about how Zavzpret and Imitrex side effects compare, talk with your doctor. Your doctor can also help determine which drug is best for your condition.

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

Changes in taste

Taste disturbances were the most common side effect reported in Zavzpret clinical trials. Changes in taste can include metallic taste, bitter taste, or loss of taste. You may experience a change in taste when your sense of taste is not working as usual.

What you can do

If you experience a change in taste during Zavzpret treatment, talk with your doctor. They may recommend some ways to enhance it. Strategies may include drinking more fluids and eating simple foods such as saltine crackers. Try to avoid spicy, sweet, or processed foods.

In addition, tobacco products can alter your sense of taste, worsening taste disturbances. If you smoke tobacco, your doctor may advise you to stop during Zavzpret treatment. They may be able to recommend smoking cessation treatment options for you.

Talk with your doctor right away if your taste changes are severe or affect your diet. Your doctor may recommend that you stop taking Zavzpret. Your doctor can also advise you on medication options that may not cause this side effect.

Nausea and vomiting

People who used Zavzpret in clinical trials commonly reported nausea and vomiting. This side effect was typically mild and went away in most cases.

Keep in mind that nausea and vomiting can also be symptoms of migraine. (Zavzpret is prescribed to treat migraine.)

What you can do

If you experience mild nausea and vomiting with Zavzpret, talk with your doctor. They can recommend ways to ease nausea and vomiting, such as:

  • eating several small meals spaced throughout the day instead of large ones
  • eating bland foods such as crackers, toast, and rice
  • avoiding spicy, greasy, or hard-to-digest foods
  • drinking plenty of fluids in small sips
  • resting in a cool area with low light

Severe nausea and vomiting can lead to dehydration. So call your doctor right away if your nausea and vomiting are severe or last longer than 24 hours. You should also contact your doctor if you experience symptoms of dehydration. These can include headache and dry lips, mouth, and eyes.

Your doctor may prescribe medications to help ease nausea and vomiting. Your doctor will also determine whether to prescribe a different migraine medication.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Zavzpret can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This side effect was rare in the drug’s clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itching
  • flushing
  • swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
  • 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 using Zavzpret. However, 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 start Zavzpret. This drug may not be the right treatment option for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These are considered drug-condition or drug-factor interactions. The conditions and factors to consider include:

Severe liver and kidney conditions. Zavzpret may not be the right treatment option if you have a severe liver or kidney disease. Zavzpret clinical trials didn’t include people with these conditions. However, the drug is considered safe for people with mild liver impairment such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. If you have a liver or kidney condition, tell your doctor. They’ll determine whether Zavzpret is safe for you.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve previously had an allergic reaction to Zavzpret or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely recommend that you do not use Zavzpret. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you. To learn about Zavzpret and allergic reaction, see the “Side effect specifics” section above.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding. It’s not known whether Zavzpret is safe to use if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child. Zavzpret clinical trials didn’t include people who were pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you’re pregnant or can become pregnant, be sure to tell your doctor before starting Zavzpret. You should also tell your doctor if you’re breastfeeding your child or planning to do so. Together, you can decide whether Zavzpret is the right treatment choice for your condition.

Alcohol consumption. If you drink alcohol, Zavzpret is likely safe for you to use. There are no known interactions between Zavzpret and alcohol consumption. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about drinking alcohol during Zavzpret treatment.

If you’d like to learn more about Zavzpret, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from 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.