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Generic Name: sumatriptan (SOO ma trip tin)
Brand Names:
Imitrex, Imitrex Nasal, Imitrex Statdose |
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What is the most important information I should know about
sumatriptan? |
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Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you have
heart disease including angina (chest pain), history
of a heart attack, or high blood pressure. Serious, even fatal, side effects
involving the heart have been reported with sumatriptan and other similar
medicines. |
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Do not use sumatriptan without first talking to your doctor if the headache
you are experiencing is not like other migraines that you have
had. |
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Never take more of this medication than is prescribed by your doctor. If
your symptoms are not being treated, contact your
doctor. |
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Sumatriptan may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Use caution when driving,
operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities until you can
evaluate the effects of the medication. |
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Sumatriptan is a headache medicine. It is believed to work by causing
vasoconstriction (narrowing) of blood vessels (arteries and veins) around the
brain. Sumatriptan also reduces the release of substances in the body that
contribute to headache pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other
migraine symptoms. |
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Sumatriptan is used to treat vascular headaches such as migraine and cluster
headaches. Sumatriptan will not prevent migraines or cluster headaches or reduce
the number of attacks. It will only treat a migraine or cluster headache that is
already occurring. |
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Sumatriptan may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide. |
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using sumatriptan?
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Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you have
heart disease including angina (chest pain), history of a heart attack, or high blood pressure. Serious, even fatal, side
effects involving the heart have been reported with sumatriptan and other
similar medicines. |
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Do not take sumatriptan without first talking to your doctor if
you |
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have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid
(Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14
days; |
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have taken an ergot-based medication within the last 24 hours--ergot-based
medicines include methysergide (Sansert), ergotamine (Ergostat, Medihaler
Ergotamine), dihydroergotamine mesylate (D.H.E., Migranal Nasal Spray), and
ergotamine combination products (Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine, Cafatine,
Cafatine-PB, Cafetrate); |
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have taken almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova),
naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), or sumatriptan (Imitrex)
within the last 24 hours; |
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have basilar or hemiplegic migraine headaches; |
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have a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA or
"mini-stroke"); |
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are experiencing a headache that is not like other migraines you have had;
or |
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have an allergy to sumatriptan or other similar medicines such as
almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan
(Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan
(Zomig). |
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Taking sumatriptan may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions, or
have taken any of the medications, listed above. |
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Before taking sumatriptan, tell your doctor if you
have |
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risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, a family history
of heart disease, high cholesterol (a type of fat in the blood), are overweight,
have diabetes, smoke cigarettes, are postmenopausal, or are a male over 40 years
of age; |
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have circulation problems such as Raynaud's
syndrome; |
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You may not be able to take sumatriptan, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the
conditions listed above. |
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Sumatriptan is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not
known whether sumatriptan will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this
medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could
become pregnant during treatment. |
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Sumatriptan passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not use sumatriptan without first
talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a
baby. |
How should I use sumatriptan? |
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Use sumatriptan exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand
these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to
you. |
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Take one tablet, administer an injection, or use the nasal spray as soon as
you notice symptoms of a migraine, or at any time during an
attack. |
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Take each oral dose with a full glass of water. If your symptoms go away,
but then return, you can take an additional oral dose with an interval of at
least 2 hours between doses, up to a maximum of 200 mg in 24 hours, unless
otherwise directed by your doctor. Never take more than this
amount. |
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Administer sumatriptan injectable directly beneath the skin (subcutaneously)
as soon as you notice symptoms of a migraine or cluster headache. Ask your
doctor or nurse to show you how to use the auto-injector, and read the
directions that accompany the package. Do not inject this medication if you are
unsure how. Never inject any sumatriptan that is discolored or that has
particles in it. If your headache is relieved, but then returns, you can use a
second dose 1 hour after the first dose. Do not use more than 2 doses in 24
hours. |
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For sumatriptan nasal, gently blow your nose to clear any mucous. Insert the
tip about 1 cm (one-half inch) into the nostril, pointing it straight up into
the nasal canal. Block your other nostril and keep your head upright. Pump and
sniff gently at the same time. Try not to sneeze or blow your nose just after
using the spray. If your headache is relieved, but then returns, you can use a
second dose 2 hours after the first dose. Do not use more than 2 doses in 24
hours. |
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If your symptoms do not improve, contact your doctor before taking any more
doses of sumatriptan. |
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Never take more of this medication than is prescribed by your doctor. If
your symptoms are not being treated, contact your
doctor. |
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Store sumatriptan at room temperature away from moisture, heat, light, and
the reach of children. Throw away any unused medicine on the expiration
date. |
What happens if I miss a dose? |
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Since sumatriptan is used to treat migraines or cluster headaches as they
occur and not to prevent them, missing a dose is not a problem. Use only the
doses you need, according to your doctor's
instructions. |
What happens if I overdose? |
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Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is
suspected. |
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Symptoms of a sumatriptan overdose might include tremor, redness, or a warm
feeling in your arms and legs, irregular breathing, large pupils; an
uncoordinated feeling; and chest pain. |
What should I avoid while using sumatriptan? |
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Sumatriptan may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Use caution when driving,
operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities until you can
evaluate the effects of the medication. |
What are the possible side effects of
sumatriptan? |
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop using
sumatriptan and seek emergency medical attention: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling
of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
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severe or prolonged chest pain or an irregular
heartbeat; |
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chest, jaw, or neck pain or tightness; |
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sudden or severe stomach pain; |
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unusual weakness or numbness. |
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
use sumatriptan and talk to your doctor if you
experience |
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drowsiness or dizziness; |
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tingling, flushing, warmth, redness, or heaviness of a body
part; |
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unpleasant taste in the mouth (nasal spray); |
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nasal irritation (nasal spray); or |
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injection site discomfort (injection). |
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially
bothersome. |
What other drugs will affect sumatriptan? |
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Do not use sumatriptan if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor
(MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine
(Nardil) within the last 14 days. The combination could cause seizures, nausea,
vomiting, sweating, flushing, and dizziness. |
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Do not use sumatriptan without first talking to your doctor if you have
taken any of the following medicines within the previous 24
hours: |
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an ergot-based medication such as methysergide (Sansert), ergotamine
(Ergostat), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E., Migranal Nasal Spray), and ergotamine
combination products (Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine, Cafatine, Cafatine-PB,
Cafetrate); or |
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another migraine medicine such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax),
frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), or
zolmitriptan (Zomig, Zomig-ZMT). |
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Using sumatriptan within 24 hours of any of the medicines listed above may
be dangerous. |
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Before using sumatriptan, tell your doctor if you are taking a selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram
(Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or
sertraline (Zoloft). You may not be able to use sumatriptan, or you may require
a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any
of the medicines listed. |
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with sumatriptan. Talk
to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter
medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal
products. |
Where can I get more information? |
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Your pharmacist has more information about sumatriptan written for health
professionals that you may
read. | |
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