Lasmiditan
Ditans (5-HT1F receptor agonists)
Ditans (5-HT1F receptor agonists)
An oral migraine attack medicine that stimulates the 5-HT1F serotonin receptor without narrowing vessels. It causes marked drowsiness.
Quick facts
- Group
- Ditans (5-HT1F receptor agonists)
- Target
- Serotonin 5-HT1F receptor (HTR1F)
- Used for
- Acute treatment of migraine attacks
- Key effects
- Dizziness and sleepiness · Numbness or tingling
- Monitor
- Headache diary · Blood pressure and heart rate
- ATC
- N02CC08
No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.
Mechanism of action
The figure shows lasmiditan bound to the human 5-HT1F receptor coupled to its Gi protein.
Lasmiditan is a highly selective agonist of the serotonin 5-HT1F receptor, with very low affinity for other serotonin receptors. It reduces trigeminal-driven plasma protein leakage in dural vessels, which is thought to underlie migraine pain, and it lacks the vasoconstrictor action of triptans.
- Lasmiditan stimulates trigeminal 5-HT1F receptors
- Pain and inflammatory signalling around dural vessels falls
- No vasoconstriction
- The attack eases
Indications
- Acute treatment of migraine attacks in adults Migraine →
Adverse effects
Common
- Dizziness and sleepiness
- Numbness or tingling
- Tiredness
- Nausea and vomiting
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to lasmiditan or any component of the product
Key interactions
- Alcohol and other sedatives
- Worse drowsiness and impairment
- St John's wort
- It is reported before starting
What is monitored
- Headache diary
- Blood pressure and heart rate in people with heart disease
- Signs of misuse
Administration and safety
- Oral tablet at the onset of an attack; it does not prevent migraine
- No driving or operating machinery for at least 8 hours after a dose
- It can be habit-forming and is used only as prescribed
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
There is little information in pregnancy; it is a decision for the treating team.
Nursing care
- Teach the 8-hour no-driving rule
- Ask about high blood pressure, slow or irregular heartbeat and liver problems
- Teach the signs of serotonin syndrome
- Explain that alcohol makes the drowsiness worse
Pharmacokinetics
- Absorption
- Oral tablet taken during an attack
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Which receptor does lasmiditan stimulate?
The serotonin 5-HT1F receptor.
Why can lasmiditan be an option when triptans are a cardiovascular concern?
It does not constrict blood vessels.
Which safety rule applies after a dose of lasmiditan?
No driving or operating machinery for at least 8 hours.
Connections
← Back to the class: Ditans (5-HT1F receptor agonists)
Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
Sources: Lasmiditan: MedlinePlus Drug Information (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026); RCSB PDB - 7EXD: Lasmiditan-bound serotonin 1F (5-HT1F) receptor-Gi protein complex (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2026).
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.