Almotriptan is a selective serotonin 5-HT₁B/₁D receptor agonist (triptan) used primarily for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura. It works by stimulating these receptors in cranial blood vessels, causing vasoconstriction and inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory neuropeptides, thereby relieving headache, nausea, and associated symptoms. Developed in the late 1990s as part of efforts to produce triptans with improved efficacy, faster onset, and better tolerability compared to earlier agents like sumatriptan, almotriptan received regulatory approval in the early 2000s and has since been widely adopted in clinical practice for its safety profile, oral bioavailability, and effectiveness in acute migraine management.
