[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Ditans (5-HT1F receptor agonists)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/ditans/) › Lasmiditan

# 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.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Ditans (5-HT1F receptor agonists)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/ditans/)

**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.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

◎**Serotonin 5-HT1F receptor (HTR1F)**Lasmiditan

ⓘ The figure shows lasmiditan bound to the human 5-HT1F receptor coupled to its Gi protein.

**Target in 3D:** Serotonin 5-HT1F receptor (HTR1F). PDB structure 7EXD (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/7EXD) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

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 →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/migraine/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Dizziness and sleepiness
- Numbness or tingling
- Tiredness
- Nausea and vomiting

### Serious (rare, important)

- Serotonin syndrome: agitation, hallucinations, fast heartbeat, sweating, stiff muscles, diarrhoea
- Allergic reactions: hives, wheezing, swelling of the face or throat

## 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

## Memory aid

«LASMIDITAN: Lie down, no wheel»: the ditan that sedates, so 8 hours without driving.

## 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.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/lasmiditan/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## Connections

## Related drugs 3

- [Sumatriptan](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/sumatriptan/)
- [Rimegepant](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/rimegepant/)
- [Ubrogepant](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ubrogepant/)

## Related conditions 1

- [Migraine](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/migraine/)

[← Back to the class: Ditans (5-HT1F receptor agonists)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/ditans/)

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](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a620015.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=N02CC08) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026); [RCSB PDB - 7EXD: Lasmiditan-bound serotonin 1F (5-HT1F) receptor-Gi protein complex](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/7EXD) (RCSB Protein Data Bank, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/lasmiditan/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/lasmiditan/