Lasmiditan
Pronunciation: las-MID-i-tan.
- Generic name
- lasmiditan
- Drug class
- 5-HT1F receptor agonist ('ditan') for acute migraine
- Form
- Tablet, 50 mg or 100 mg
- Route
- Oral
- Legal status
- Prescription-only; Schedule V controlled substance in the United States
Availability and supply rules vary by country
Trade names by country: United States
Australia: · Full directory
What lasmiditan is and how it works
Lasmiditan is a prescription-only tablet for the acute treatment of migraine attacks (with or without aura) in adults. It works on a different receptor (5-HT1F) from older migraine medicines called triptans, and unlike triptans it does not narrow blood vessels. (1) (3)
Take lasmiditan only when a migraine attack starts, exactly as your prescriber directs. It is not used to prevent migraines, and no more than one dose should be taken in any 24-hour period. Note: the manufacturer has announced it is discontinuing this medicine worldwide for business reasons (not a safety issue); ask your pharmacist about current availability and talk to your prescriber about alternatives if needed.
Mechanism of action: how lasmiditan works
Lasmiditan is a highly selective 5-HT1F receptor agonist. Unlike triptans (5-HT1B/1D agonists), it lacks vasoconstrictive activity, which is why it can be considered in some patients with cardiovascular risk factors that would caution against triptan use -- though prescribers should still assess CNS depression and abuse-potential risk. (1)
What lasmiditan is used for
Acute treatment of migraine
Used to treat a migraine attack (with or without aura) once it has started, in adults. It is not used to prevent migraines from happening. (1)
Before taking lasmiditan
Do not take / not appropriate for
- Do not drive a vehicle or operate machinery for at least 8 hours after taking a dose, even if you feel well enough to do so -- lasmiditan can impair alertness and reaction time without you noticing it. (all countries) (1)
- If you cannot wait at least 8 hours before driving or operating machinery, do not take a dose. (all countries) (1)
Tell your clinician about
- Any history of substance misuse or dependence, since lasmiditan is a controlled substance with some potential for misuse.
- All other medicines you take, especially other serotonergic medicines (such as antidepressants or migraine medicines), heart-rate-lowering medicines, or digoxin.
- Any liver problems, particularly severe liver impairment.
- Pregnancy, plans for pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
- How often you use lasmiditan or other migraine medicines, since using them too often can itself worsen headaches.
How to take lasmiditan
- Swallow the tablet whole; do not split, crush, or chew it.
- Take it as soon as a migraine attack starts, with or without food.
- Take no more than one dose in any 24-hour period.
- This is not a preventive medicine -- it treats an attack that has already started.
Procedures and treatment changes
Tell the treating team before surgery, procedures, or any medicine change. Do not alter treatment without the responsible clinician. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
Missed dose
Lasmiditan is taken as needed for a migraine attack rather than on a fixed schedule, so a 'missed dose' does not usually apply. If your migraine symptoms continue or return, contact your prescriber for guidance rather than taking an extra dose within 24 hours.
Overdose
Seek urgent medical attention if you think too much lasmiditan has been taken, especially if there are symptoms such as severe dizziness, sedation, or fainting. (1)
Side effects
Side effects and their urgency vary; report severe, persistent, or concerning symptoms.
Dizziness.
What to notice: Dizziness.
What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)
Sleepiness (sedation) and tiredness/fatigue.
What to notice: Sleepiness (sedation) and tiredness/fatigue.
What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)
Tingling or numbness (paraesthesia).
What to notice: Tingling or numbness (paraesthesia).
What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)
Nausea or vomiting.
What to notice: Nausea or vomiting.
What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)
Muscle weakness or vertigo.
What to notice: Muscle weakness or vertigo.
What to do: Discuss persistent or troublesome symptoms with the treating clinician or pharmacist. (1)
Serious warnings
Impaired alertness affecting driving or operating machinery — high caution
Symptoms: Feeling less alert, slower reactions, dizziness, or sedation -- which can occur even when you feel fine.
Action: Do not drive or operate machinery for at least 8 hours after each dose, regardless of how you feel. (1)
Signs of serotonin syndrome (especially when combined with other serotonergic medicines) — emergency
Symptoms: Agitation, confusion, a fast heartbeat, high blood pressure, dilated pupils, muscle twitching or stiffness, sweating, tremor, diarrhoea, or fever.
Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately. A clinician will assess and decide on treatment, which may include stopping lasmiditan. (1)
Signs of a serious allergic reaction (hypersensitivity/angioedema) — emergency
Symptoms: Swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; difficulty breathing; widespread rash or hives.
Action: Seek emergency medical help immediately. (1)
Worsening or more frequent headaches from medication overuse — high caution
Symptoms: Headaches becoming more frequent or severe with regular use, 10 or more days a month.
Action: Tell your prescriber -- they will decide whether your migraine treatment plan needs to be adjusted, which may include a supervised break from acute migraine medicines. (1)
Interactions
- Alcohol and other medicines that cause drowsiness (CNS depressants) can add to lasmiditan's dizziness and sedation. (1)
- Other serotonergic medicines (such as SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, MAOIs, trazodone, dextromethorphan, or St John's Wort) can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. (1)
- Medicines that lower heart rate (such as some beta-blockers) can add to lasmiditan's heart-rate-lowering effect. (1)
- Combining with digoxin or similar narrow-margin medicines affected by P-glycoprotein is not recommended, since small changes in their blood levels could cause serious problems. (1)
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney/liver function, age
Pregnancy
There is not enough human data to know the risk in pregnancy; animal studies showed effects on the developing fetus. A pregnancy exposure registry exists to collect more information -- discuss with your prescriber. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
Breastfeeding
There is no human data on whether lasmiditan passes into breast milk; animal data suggest it does, at higher levels than in the mother's blood. Discuss the benefits and risks with your prescriber. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
Children
Not established as safe and effective in children; this medicine is approved for adults only. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
Elderly
Blood-pressure changes after dosing may be larger in older adults -- your prescriber will take this into account. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
Hepatic_impairment
No dose adjustment is needed for mild or moderate liver impairment. It is not recommended for people with severe liver impairment, as this has not been studied. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
Renal_impairment
Not specifically addressed in the source reviewed for this dossier -- tell your prescriber about any kidney problems. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
Source_ids
Monitoring
Before starting
- Review of other medicines, especially serotonergic and heart-rate-lowering medicines
- Assessment of driving/occupational needs given the 8-hour restriction
- Liver function if severe impairment is suspected
During treatment
- How often the medicine is used, to watch for medication-overuse headache.
- Any new dizziness, sedation, or signs of serotonin syndrome.
- Blood pressure and heart rate, particularly in older adults.
Storage
Store at 20-25°C (68-77°F); brief excursions between 15-30°C (59-86°F) are permitted.
Study the drug class: Triptans and migraine agents
Professional information
Clinician-facing context only, sourced from the current US FDA prescribing information; verify against the current full label before prescribing. Note the manufacturer's announced global commercial discontinuation when considering ongoing availability.
United States
Indication: Acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults
Dose summary: 50 mg, 100 mg, or 200 mg orally as needed; maximum one dose per 24 hours; tablets taken whole, with or without food; not for migraine prevention.
Renal context: Not established in the source reviewed for this dossier. (1)
Hepatic guidance
No dose adjustment for Child-Pugh A/B; use in Child-Pugh C is not recommended and has not been studied.
Overdose note
Manage overdose with supportive care and monitoring for CNS depression and cardiovascular effects; no specific antidote is described in the source reviewed. (1)
Frequently asked questions
Is lasmiditan available in the US, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand?
It is authorised in the United States (as Reyvow) and the European Union (as Rayvow), but it was never authorised or marketed in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. The manufacturer has also announced it is discontinuing production worldwide for business reasons, so check with a pharmacist about current availability even in the US and EU. (1) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8)
Can I drive after taking lasmiditan?
No -- do not drive or operate machinery for at least 8 hours after each dose, even if you feel fine. This medicine can affect alertness and reactions without you being aware of it. (1)
Is lasmiditan a controlled substance?
Yes, in the United States it is a Schedule V controlled substance, the lowest DEA schedule, because of a low but real potential for misuse (some people reported euphoria in trials). (2) (1)
What is the mechanism of action of lasmiditan?
Lasmiditan is a highly selective 5-HT1F receptor agonist. Unlike triptans (5-HT1B/1D agonists), it lacks vasoconstrictive activity, which is why it can be considered in some patients with cardiovascular risk factors that would caution against triptan use -- though prescribers should still assess CNS depression and abuse-potential risk. (1)
What is the generic name of Lasmiditan?
The generic name is lasmiditan. (1)
What class of drug is lasmiditan?
Lasmiditan is classed as: 5-HT1F receptor agonist ('ditan') for acute migraine. (1)
References
- REYVOW (lasmiditan) tablets, for oral use, CV -- full prescribing informationU.S. Food and Drug Administration / DailyMed (NIH), full prescribing information, Eli Lilly and Company · United States · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 1
- Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Lasmiditan in Schedule VU.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Federal Register · United States · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 2
- Discontinuation of Reyvow (lasmiditan) for Acute Migraine Treatment: What To Do NextAssociation of Migraine Disorders (patient advocacy organisation, summarising Eli Lilly's manufacturer communication) and American Migraine Foundation · United States / Global · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 3
- Rayvow (lasmiditan) -- EPAR medicine overviewEuropean Medicines Agency (EMA) · European Union · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 4
- emc product search -- 'lasmiditan' (no results)electronic medicines compendium (emc), United Kingdom · United Kingdom · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 5
- Regulatory Decision Summary for ReyvowHealth Canada Drug and Health Products Portal -- Regulatory Decision Summary · Canada · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 6
- Rimegepant and Lasmiditan: PBS Status and PBAC Submissions in AustraliaTherapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia / Headache Australia · Australia · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 7
- Lasmiditan -- the migraine drug we didn't even get to tryMigraine Foundation Aotearoa New Zealand (patient advocacy organisation) · New Zealand · accessed 2026-07-29 · source 8
Brand names by country
Single-ingredient lasmiditan names are shown separately by country. Product availability, strengths, and supply rules can change; combination products are not included here.
Priority countries
United States
- Reyvow50 mg, 100 mg · eli lilly and company
View brands in additional countries.
European Union
Rayvow (4)