Precautions
rapid weight gain; rectal bleeding; redness, soreness, or itching skin; restlessness; seizures; severe or sudden headache; severe sleepiness; slurred speech; sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth; sores, welting, or blisters; stomach pain and tenderness; swelling of the face, ankles, hands, feet, or lower legs; swollen glands
Does sumatriptan cause weight gain?
Your chest may feel tight or 'heavy' after taking sumatriptan. Is sumatriptan a narcotic? Sumatriptan is not a narcotic. It is a type of medication known as a 'triptan'. These are selective serotonin receptor agonists (or 5HT agonists) — painkillers specifically used to relieve migraine attacks.
Is sumatriptan a narcotic?
Sumatriptan tablets may also cause other serious side effects such as circulatory disturbances, vision loss, seizures, increased blood pressure, and allergic reactions. May interact with a number of different drugs including ergot-containing drugs and those that increase serotonin (such as antidepressants, St Johns Wort, and antipsychotics).
Does sumatriptan increase BP?
The cost for sumatriptan subcutaneous solution (6 mg/0.5 mL) is around $22 for a supply of 0.5 milliliters, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Prices are for cash paying customers only and are not valid with insurance plans. This sumatriptan price guide is based on using the Drugs.com discount card which is accepted at most U.S. pharmacies.
How much does sumatriptan cost?
Why do I feel weird after taking sumatriptan?
Taking these drugs with sumatriptan can cause a severe condition called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms can include agitation, sweating, fast heartbeat, or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't real). They can also include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of balance.
What are side effects of sumatriptan?
Side EffectsAbdominal or stomach pain.anxiety.changes in patterns and rhythms of speech.chest pain or tightness.fast, slow, irregular, pounding, or racing heartbeat or pulse.muscle cramps and stiffness.neck, throat, or jaw pain.nightmares.More items...•
How long does sumatriptan stay in your system?
Sumatriptan is a short-acting medication with a half-life of around two hours. A sumatriptan dose will be completely cleared from the body in 10 hours.
Why you shouldn't take sumatriptan?
Sumatriptan is not suitable for people with certain cardiovascular conditions including coronary artery disease, Prinzmetal's angina, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), uncontrolled high blood pressure, or peripheral vascular disease.
Is it OK to take sumatriptan daily?
You shouldn't take sumatriptan oral tablets on a regular daily basis. This drug can't prevent migraine. You should only take this medication when you need to treat a migraine headache. Don't take sumatriptan oral tablets on more than 4 days in any 30-day period.
Does sumatriptan make you lose weight?
Triptans, a commonly prescribed class of migraine drugs, can help with weight loss and treating obesity by suppressing appetite. The study suggests that a commonly prescribed class of migraine drugs called Triptans may also be useful in helping individuals to lose weight and treat obesity.
Can I take sumatriptan 3 days in a row?
There aren't recommendations about how many days in a row you can take Imitrex. It's not known if this medication is safe to treat more than four migraine episodes or cluster headaches every 30 days. Before starting Imitrex, talk with your doctor about how often you can safely take this medication.
How much sumatriptan can you take in a day?
Adults—25, 50, or 100 milligrams (mg) as a single dose. If you get some relief, or if the migraine comes back after being relieved, another dose may be taken 2 hours after the last dose. Do not take more than 200 mg in any 24-hour period.
Why can you only get 9 sumatriptan a month?
There is a reason behind the limit on pills. Headache doctors know that taking triptans more than 10 times a month can actually make migraines more frequent or more severe in some people. Rebound headache, or medication overuse headache, is a pretty common migraine trigger.
Who should avoid sumatriptan?
do not take sumatriptan if you are taking a monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) or if you have taken one of these medications in the past 2 weeks.
How strong is sumatriptan?
There are two strengths of sumatriptan tablet available (50 mg and 100 mg), one strength of injection (6 mg/0.5 ml) and one strength of nasal spray (10 mg/actuation).
How long do the side effects of sumatriptan last?
All forms of sumatriptan are effective and well-tolerated by most patients. The side effects usually resolve within 30 minutes from the time the medication is taken, and only a small number of patients experience serious side effects.
Is sumatriptan good for migraines?
Sumatriptan is used to treat acute migraine headaches in adults. It is not used to prevent migraine headaches and is not used for cluster headaches. Sumatriptan works in the brain to relieve the pain from migraine headaches. It belongs to the group of medicines called triptans.
Can sumatriptan make migraines worse?
Using sumatriptan alone or in combination with other migraine medicines for 10 or more days per month may lead to worsening of headache. You may keep a headache diary to record your headache frequency and drug use. Make sure your doctor knows about all the other medicines you are using.
How often can I take sumatriptan for migraine?
For migraine headaches: Adults—25, 50, or 100 milligrams (mg) as a single dose. If you get some relief, or if the migraine comes back after being relieved, another dose may be taken 2 hours after the last dose. Do not take more than 200 mg in any 24-hour period.
Can I take sumatriptan (Imitrex) every day?
This medication shouldn't be used every day. Use sumatriptan (Imitrex) only when you have a migraine attack. Using sumatriptan (Imitrex) too often...
How often can I take sumatriptan (Imitrex)?
Using sumatriptan (Imitrex) for 10 days or more in a month can make your migraines worse. It is recommended that you keep track of the frequency of...
Does sumatriptan (Imitrex) work on normal headaches?
Since sumatriptan (Imitrex) works in the brain to activate (turn on) a specific receptor, it only works for headaches caused by migraines. It won't...
Can I take a different migraine medication with sumatriptan (Imitrex)?
Don't take another antimigraine medication (such as another triptan or ergot-type medication) within 24 hours of taking sumatriptan (Imitrex), beca...
Can sumatriptan (Imitrex) make me sleepy?
Sumatriptan (Imitrex) can make you sleepy and dizzy. Be careful driving or doing anything dangerous until you know how this medication affects you.
What are the side effects of sumatriptan?
Downsides. If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include: Drowsiness or dizziness, fatigue, tingling or numbness in the fingers or toes, or a feeling of weakness.
How long does it take for Sumatriptan to work?
Sumatriptan oral tablets usually start working within 30 minutes, with the peak effect occurring within two to four hours. The effects of the injection are usually apparent within 5 minutes.
How long after taking Sumatriptan can you take a second dose?
The second dose must be administered at least two hours after the first dose. Do not take more than 200mg of sumatriptan in a 24 hour period. See your doctor if you have more than four headaches in a 30-day period that require sumatriptan treatment.
What is the best medicine for migraines?
Sumatriptan may be used to relieve symptoms of a migraine. Sumatriptan binds strongly to serotonin 5‑HT1B/1D receptors and is thought to relieve migraine symptoms through an inhibition of pro-inflammatory substances and a constriction of cranial blood vessels.
How often can you take sumatriptan?
If the initial sumatriptan dose has been given by injection, and the migraine returns, sumatriptan tablets may be administered at two-hour intervals up to a maximum cumulative tablet dose of 100mg/day.
What is the class of medicine that is called a triptan?
Sumatriptan belongs to the class of medicines known as selective serotonin receptor agonists. Sumatriptan may also be called a triptan.
What medications interact with sumatriptan?
Common medications that may interact with sumatriptan include: 5-hydroxytryptophan. bromocriptine. antidepressants, such as citalopram, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, fluoxetine, mirtazapine, or nefazodone. methylene blue.
Why is Sumatriptan prescribed?
Why is this medication prescribed? Sumatriptan is used to treat the symptoms of migraine headaches (severe, throbbing headaches that sometimes are accompanied by nausea or sensitivity to sound and light). Sumatriptan is in a class of medications called selective serotonin receptor agonists.
How long can you take sumatriptan?
You should not take sumatriptan or any other headache medication for more than 10 days per month. Call your doctor if you need to take sumatriptan to treat more than four headaches in a 1-month period. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient.
What to do if you are allergic to sumatriptan?
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sumatriptan, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in sumatriptan tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
What are the side effects of a syringe?
upset stomach. diarrhea. nausea. muscle cramps. Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment: pain, tightness, pressure, or heaviness in the chest, throat, neck, and/or jaw. slow or difficult speech. faintness.
Can you take sumatriptan after 2 hours?
However, if your symptoms do not improve after you take su mitriptan, do not take a second tablet without calling your doctor.
Can you take more or less sumatriptan?
Take sumatriptan exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. You may take your first dose of sumatriptan in a doctor's office or other medical facility where you can be monitored for serious reactions.
Does Sumatriptan help with migraines?
Sumatriptan is in a class of medications called selective serotonin receptor agonists. It works by narrowing blood vessels in the head, stopping pain signals from being sent to the brain, and blocking the release of certain natural substances that cause pain, nausea, and other symptoms of migraine. Sumatriptan does not prevent migraine attacks ...
What are the side effects of sumatriptan?
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking sumatriptan: Less common. Abdominal or stomach pain. anxiety.
What happens if you take 5-HT1?
Life-threatening disturbances of cardiac rhythm, such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation leading to death, and rare reports of acute myocardial infarction, have been reported within a few hours after administration of 5-HT1 agonists.
What is the mental status of serotonin syndrome?
Serotonin syndrome is characterized by mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, coma), autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, hyperthermia), neuromuscular aberrations (e.g., hyperreflexia, incoordination), and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). The onset of symptoms generally occurs within minutes to hours of receiving a new or a greater dose of a serotoninergic medications.
Does sumatriptan cause nausea?
Commonly reported side effects of sumatriptan include: dizziness, injection site reaction, vertigo, nausea and vomiting, flushing sensation, tingling sensation, and unpleasant taste. Other side effects include: asthenia, burning sensation, chest discomfort, neck pain, neck stiffness, numbness, throat irritation, feeling of heaviness, flushing, sensation of pressure, and sensation of tightness. See below for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Can sumatriptan cause chest pain?
This report contradicts the hypothesis that chest symptoms after sumatriptan are caused by cardiac ischemia. Another study of 125 patients concluded that panic-like symptoms may explain the chest pain and related side effects after sumatriptan administration in patients with high levels of anxiety. [ Ref]
Does sumatriptan need medical attention?
Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention. Some side effects of sumatriptan may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.
What is sumatriptan (Imitrex)?
Sumatriptan (Imitrex) is a triptan medication that treats migraines. It activates (turns on) serotonin receptors in the brain to lessen pain and inflammation.
What are the side effects of sumatriptan (Imitrex)?
With any medication, there are risks and benefits. Even if the medication is working, you may experience some unwanted side effects.
How much does sumatriptan (Imitrex) cost?
Sumatriptan (Imitrex) is available as a generic medication and may be significantly cheaper compared to the brand version. Unless there is a specific reason you need the brand, the generic medication will be a better value. For even more savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Can you take sumatriptan if you have a migraine?
Ask your doctor ahead of time about any other medicine you might take if sumatriptan does not work. After you use the other medicine, check with your doctor as soon as possible.
Is Sumatriptan a pain reliever?
Sumatriptan is not an ordinary pain reliever. It will not relieve pain other than from migraine headaches. This medicine is usually used for people whose headaches are not relieved by acetaminophen, aspirin, or other pain relievers.
Does Sumatriptan help with cluster headaches?
Sumatriptan is used to treat acute migraine headaches in adults. It is not used to prevent migraine headaches and is not used for cluster headaches. Sumatriptan works in the brain to relieve the pain from migraine headaches. It belongs to the group of medicines called triptans. Many people find that their headaches go away completely ...
What are the side effects of a syringe?
increased sensitivity to pain. loss of appetite. numbness, pain, tingling, or weakness. stomach discomfort or upset. tingling in the hands and feet. tunnel vision. weakness. Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
What is Sumatriptan used for?
Sumatriptan is used to treat acute migraine headaches in adults. It is not used to prevent migraine headaches and is not used for cluster headaches. Sumatriptan works in the brain to relieve the pain from migraine headaches. It belongs to the group of medicines called triptans.
Does sumatriptan cause heart problems?
Sumatriptan has caused serious side effects in some people, especially people who have heart or blood vessel disease. Be sure that you discuss with your doctor the risks of using this medicine as well as the benefits that it can have.
Does sumatriptan help with headaches?
Many people find that their headaches go away completely after they take sumatriptan. Other people find that their headaches are much less painful, and that they are able to go back to their normal activities even though their headaches are not completely gone. Sumatriptan often relieves other symptoms that occur together with a migraine headache, such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, and sensitivity to sound.
Is sumatriptan safe for children?
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of sumatriptan in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Is Sumatriptan a pain reliever?
Sumatriptan is not an ordinary pain reliever. It will not relieve pain other than from migraine headaches. This medicine is usually used for people whose headaches are not relieved by acetaminophen, aspirin, or other pain relievers.
Proper Use
Do not use this medicine for a headache that is different from your usual migraines. Talk to your doctor about what to do for regular headaches.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
What Are Sumatriptan and Imitrex?
Sumatriptan is a medication used to relieve migraine pain. It was approved for migraine treatment by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in 1992. Imitrex is a popular brand of sumatriptan. Treximet is a brand that contains both sumatriptan and naproxen sodium, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Combination drugs work well for some people.
What is the best medicine for migraines?
Some people experience more benefit from the current treatments than others. Sumatriptan is a medication that helps to reduce or relieve migraine symptoms in some patients.
How long does a migraine last?
A migraine is often defined as a severe, throbbing headache, but it's actually a collection of symptoms that may appear in several stages and last for hours or even days. The headache may be accompanied by nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other problems. It may also be preceded or followed by unpleasant symptoms.
Does sumatriptan help with migraines?
Sumatriptan is a medication that helps to reduce or relieve migraine symptoms in some patients. It joins to receptors that normally bind to a chemical called serotonin and causes the constriction of dilated blood vessels as a result. A common brand of the medication is Imitrex. Imitrex doesn't work for all migraine sufferers, ...
How It Works
Sumatriptan is used to treat migraines.
May Treat: Migraine
Brand Names: Imitrex · Tosymra
Drug Class: Migraine Therapy - Selective Serotonin Agonists 5-HT(1)
Availability: Prescription Required
Pregnancy: Consult a doctor before using
Lactation: Consult a doctor before using
Alcohol: Limit intake while taking this medication
Driving: May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Use caution
- If available, read the patient package insert
- Use at first warning signs of coming headache
- Tell your doctor if you have had heart problems
- If available, read the patient package insert
- Use at first warning signs of coming headache
- Tell your doctor if you have had heart problems
- May make you drowsy or dizzy. Drive with caution
- Reduce or avoid drinking alcohol
- Tell MD now of chest pain or irregular heart rate.
- Call doctor if you are not getting better
- Review all drugs you are taking with your doctor
Upsides
Downsides
Bottom Line
Tips
- Sumatriptan may be used to relieve symptoms of a migraine.
- Sumatriptan works by binding to serotonin 5‑HT1B/1D receptors and is thought to relieve migraine symptoms through inhibition of pro-inflammatory substances and a constriction of cranial blood vessels.
- Sumatriptan belongs to the class of medicines known as selective serotonin receptor agonis…
- Sumatriptan may be used to relieve symptoms of a migraine.
- Sumatriptan works by binding to serotonin 5‑HT1B/1D receptors and is thought to relieve migraine symptoms through inhibition of pro-inflammatory substances and a constriction of cranial blood vessels.
- Sumatriptan belongs to the class of medicines known as selective serotonin receptor agonists. Sumatriptan may also be called a triptan.
Response and Effectiveness
- Effective for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults.
- In most people, sumatriptan works quickly, within 5 minutes for the injection or within 10 to 20 minutes with the tablets.
- Available as an oral tablet, a nasal spray, a nasal powder for inhalation, and in an injectable form. An auto-injection system is available for self-administration.
- Effective for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults.
- In most people, sumatriptan works quickly, within 5 minutes for the injection or within 10 to 20 minutes with the tablets.
- Available as an oral tablet, a nasal spray, a nasal powder for inhalation, and in an injectable form. An auto-injection system is available for self-administration.
- Because sumatriptan works quickly and effectively, it may decrease the need for other pain-relieving medications and allow a person to quickly return to their normal routine.
Interactions
- If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include: 1. Drowsiness or dizziness, fatigue, tingling or numbness in the fingers or toes, or a feeling of weakness. 2. A sensation of tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in the throat, neck, jaw, or over the heart has been reporte…
Further Information
- Sumatriptan may be used to quickly relieve the symptoms of a migraine but may not be suitable for everyone including those with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.
Medical uses
- Start treatment as soon as you develop migraine symptoms or symptoms that typically occur with a migraine (such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light).
- A second dose may be administered if the migraine has not resolved within two hours of taking an initial dose of sumatriptan tablets, or if only a transient improvement in symptoms is noted. The se...
- Start treatment as soon as you develop migraine symptoms or symptoms that typically occur with a migraine (such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light).
- A second dose may be administered if the migraine has not resolved within two hours of taking an initial dose of sumatriptan tablets, or if only a transient improvement in symptoms is noted. The se...
- If the initial sumatriptan dose has been given by injection, and the migraine returns, sumatriptan tablets may be administered at two-hour intervals up to a maximum cumulative tablet dose of 100mg/...
- Talk to your doctor if you have had more than four episodes of a migraine in a 30-day period for which you have taken sumatriptan for. Overuse of sumatriptan and other acute migraine …
Administration
- Sumatriptan oral tablets usually start working within 30 minutes, with the peak effect occurring within two to four hours. The effects of the injection are usually apparent within 5 minutes.
- Liver disease can dramatically shorten the time it takes for sumatriptan to act and the length of time it lasts in the body.
Treatment
- Medicines that interact with sumatriptan may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works for, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with sumatriptan. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions sh…
Risks
- Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use sumatriptan only for the indication prescribed. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Copyright 1996-2022 Drugs.com. Revision date: July 5, 2021. Medical Disclaimer
Prevention
- Sumatriptan is used to treat the symptoms of migraine headaches (severe, throbbing headaches that sometimes are accompanied by nausea or sensitivity to sound and light). Sumatriptan is in a class of medications called selective serotonin receptor agonists. It works by narrowing blood vessels in the head, stopping pain signals from being sent to the...
Preparation
- Sumatriptan comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken at the first sign of a migraine headache.If your symptoms improve after you take sumatriptan but return after 2 hours or longer, you may take a second tablet. However, if your symptoms do not improve after you take sumitriptan, do not take a second tablet without calling your doctor. Your doctor will tell you the …
Summary
- You may take your first dose of sumatriptan in a doctor's office or other medical facility where you can be monitored for serious reactions. Call your doctor if your headaches do not get better or occur more frequently after taking sumatriptan.
For The Consumer
- If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
For Healthcare Professionals
- Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, t…
Frequently Asked Questions
- It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Further Information
- Commonly reported side effects of sumatriptan include: dizziness, injection site reaction, vertigo, nausea and vomiting, flushing sensation, tingling sensation, and unpleasant taste. Other side effects include:asthenia, burning sensation, chest discomfort, neck pain, neck stiffness, numbness, throat irritation, feeling of heaviness, flushing, sensa...