Colonic ischemia associated with naratriptan use.

Author(s): Schwartz DC, Smith DJ

Affiliation(s): Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. dcs@medicine.wisc.edu

Publication date & source: 2004-10, J Clin Gastroenterol., 38(9):790-2.

Publication type: Case Reports

A 54-year-old woman with acute onset of hematochezia and lower abdominal pain proved to have ischemic colitis associated with the use of naratriptan. The diagnosis was established by colonoscopy with biopsy. There were no other obvious risk factors for intestinal ischemia. The condition resolved within 4 days. Because the use of triptans for the treatment of migraine is increasing, health care providers should be aware of their potential for inducing ischemic colitis.