Sumatriptan, Oral

Tablet Important warnings

 About

 Side effects

 Interactions

 Other warnings

 Dosage

 Take as directed

 Important considerations

 Alternatives

Highlights for sumatriptan

1. Sumatriptan oral tablets are available as both generic and brand-name
drugs. Brand name: Imitrex.
2. Sumatriptan also comes in a nasal spray, an injectable solution, or a nasal
powder.
3. Sumatriptan oral tablet is used to treat migraine headaches. It’s used when
headache symptoms first start. It’s not used to prevent headaches.
Important warnings
 Heart attack: This drug can cause serious heart problems such as heart attack,
angina (chest pain), or cardiac arrest. If you’re at risk for heart disease, your
doctor may have you take your first dose in their office so they can monitor
you.
 Arrhythmias: This drug may cause your heart rhythm to change, which can be
dangerous. If you feel changes in the way your heart beats, stop taking this drug
and call your doctor right away.
 Chest, throat, neck, or jaw pain: This drug can cause tightness, pain, or
pressure in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw. In general, this feeling can be a
symptom of heart attack, but it may not be when you’re taking this drug. If you
have this symptom, call your doctor.
 Brain hemorrhage or stroke: Severe bleeding in the brain (brain hemorrhage)
or stroke can occur if you take this drug. It’s not clear if sumatriptan is a direct
cause of these effects.

What is sumatriptan?
Sumatriptan oral tablet is a prescription drug that’s available as the brand-name
drug Imitrex. It’s also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less. In
some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name
version.

Sumatriptan also comes in a nasal spray, an injectable solution, or a nasal powder.

Why it’s used

Sumatriptan is used to treat migraine headaches. Sumatriptan may be used as part of a

combination therapy. This means you may need to take it with other medications.
How it works

Sumatriptan belongs to a class of drugs called serotonin-1 receptor agonists. A class

of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often
used to treat similar conditions.

A migraine causes the blood vessels in the brain to expand. It also causes a release of
chemicals in the brain that can cause inflammation (swelling and irritation).
Sumatriptan works by helping to bring your blood vessels back to their normal size. It
also helps prevent your body’s release of these chemicals that cause inflammation.

Sumatriptan side effects

Sumatriptan oral tablet may cause drowsiness. It may also cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The more common side effects that can occur with use of sumatriptan tablets include:

 feeling warm or cold

 tingling or prickling sensations in your skin
 pressure or pain in your chest, neck, jaw, or throat
 dizziness
 tiredness

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If
they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your
symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency.
Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

 Heart attack. Symptoms can include:

o chest pain that spreads to your shoulder or arm
o excessive sweating
o dizziness
o weakness
o shortness of breath
 Other heart problems. Symptoms can include:
o severe chest pain
o fast heart rate
o irregular heart beat
o palpitations (feeling like your heart is skipping beats)
 Abnormal feelings in your chest (not related to your heart), throat, neck, or jaw.
Symptoms can include:
o tightness
o pain
o pressure
o heaviness
 Vision problems. Symptoms can include:
o blurred vision
o loss of vision (may be temporary or permanent)
 Stroke or brain hemorrhage. Symptoms can include:
o headache
 o face drooping
o trouble speaking
o numbness or weakness on one side of your body
o loss of balance
 Changes in mental health. Symptoms can include:
o confusion
o agitation
o hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real)
o thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself
 Digestive tract problems. Symptoms can include:
o pain in your abdomen (stomach area)
o bloody diarrhea
o nausea and vomiting
 Serotonin syndrome. Symptoms can include:
o agitation
o confusion
o hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real)
o fast heart rate
o shaking
o sweating
o big pupils (dark centers of your eyes)
o diarrhea
o rigid muscles
 Seizures
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information.
However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information
includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always
discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Sumatriptan may interact with

other medications
Sumatriptan oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you
may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works.
This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications
carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re
taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking,
talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Drugs you should not use with sumatriptan

Do not take these drugs with sumatriptan. Doing so can cause dangerous effects in the
body. Examples of these drugs include:

 Monoamine oxidase-A inhibitors (MAOIs), such as phenelzine,

isocarboxazid, or tranylcypromine. 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.
  Ergot-containing drugs, such as dihydroergotamine or
methysergide. Taking these drugs with sumatriptan raises your risk of certain
side effects, such as tightness or pressure in your chest. Don’t take these
medications if you’ve taken sumatriptan in the last 24 hours.
 Other serotonin-1 receptor agonists, such as almotriptan or zolmitriptan.
Taking these drugs with sumatriptan raises your risk of certain side effects,
such as tightness or pressure in your chest. Don’t take these medications if
you’ve taken sumatriptan in the last 24 hours.

Interactions that increase your risk of side effects

Side effects from sumatriptan: Taking sumatriptan with certain medications raises

your risk of side effects from sumatriptan. Examples of these drugs include:

 Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline. You’re at higher risk of

developing a serious condition called serotonin syndrome if you take these
drugs. 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.
 Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors used to treat depression, such as
sertraline or fluoxetine. You’re at higher risk of developing a serious
condition called serotonin syndrome if you take these drugs. 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.
 Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as venlafaxine or
duloxetine. You’re at higher risk of developing a serious condition called
serotonin syndrome if you take these drugs. 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.
  Medications used to control headache pain, such as dihydroergotamine,
codeine, or hydrocodone. Using too many medications to help control your
headache symptoms may make your headache worse. Talk with your doctor
about which medications to take to help manage your headache symptoms.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information.
However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this
information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical
advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all
prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are
taking.

Sumatriptan warnings
Sumatriptan oral tablet comes with several warnings

Allergy warning

Sumatriptan can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms can include:

 hives
 rash
 swelling of the tongue, mouth, or throat
 trouble breathing

If you have an allergic reaction, call your doctor or local poison control center right
away. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. Taking it
again could be fatal (cause death).
Warnings for people with certain health
conditions

For people with heart conditions: Sumatriptan may cause serious problems with
your heart. Tell your doctor if you’ve had a heart attack before. Also tell them if you
have any other heart condition, such as coronary artery disease (CAD) or angina
(chest pain). If you have any of these conditions, you should not use this drug. Your
doctor will find other options to treat your symptoms of migraine. If you have certain
risk factors for CAD, your doctor will give you tests to see if you have CAD. If you
don’t, your doctor may prescribe this drug, but they may have you take the first dose
in their office.

For people with heart rhythm disorders: Sumatriptan may cause changes in your
heart rhythm. Tell your doctor if you have any heart rhythm disorders. If you have
certain types of heart rhythm disorders, you should not use this drug.

For people with a previous stroke or mini-stroke: This drug may cause severe
bleeding in the brain (brain hemorrhage) or stroke. If you’ve ever had any form of
stroke in the past, you should not use this drug.

For people with problems with circulation: Sumatriptan may cause or worsen

symptoms of a condition called peripheral vascular disease. If you have this condition,
you should not use this drug. Your doctor will find other options to treat your
symptoms of migraine.

For people with serious bowel disorders: Sumatriptan may cause or worsen

symptoms of a condition called ischemic bowel disease. If you have this condition,
talk with your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.

For people with uncontrolled high blood pressure: Sumatriptan can increase your
blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure that’s not controlled, you should not
take this medication.
For people with serious liver disease: You should not use sumatriptan. Your doctor
will find other options to treat your symptoms of migraine.

For people with seizures: Sumatriptan may cause seizures. If you’ve had seizures in
the past, talk with your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women: Research in animals has shown negative effects to the fetus
when the mother takes the drug. However, studies done in humans have not shown
negative effects to the fetus.

Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug
should be used only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking this drug.

For women who are breastfeeding: Sumatriptan may pass into breast milk and may
cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. You should not breastfeed your child for
at least 12 hours after taking sumatriptan. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your
child.

For children: It has not been confirmed that sumatriptan is safe and effective for use
in children. Do not use in people younger than 18 years.

How to take sumatriptan

This dosage information is for sumatriptan oral tablet. All possible dosages and drug
forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the
drug will depend on:
  your age
 the condition being treated
 how severe your condition is
 other medical conditions you have
 how you react to the first dose

Forms and strengths

Generic: sumatriptan

 Form: Oral tablet
 Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg

Brand: Imitrex

 Form: Oral tablet
 Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg

Dosage for migraine headache

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

 Typical starting dosage: One tablet (25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg) taken when
migraine symptoms appear.
 Dosage increases: If you don’t get enough relief within 2 hours of the first
dose, you can take a second dose at least 2 hours after the first dose.
 Maximum dosage: Do not take more than 200 mg within a 24-hour period.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It has not been confirmed that sumatriptan is safe and effective for use in children. Do
not use in people younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys, liver, and heart of older adults may not work as well as they used to.
This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug
stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk of side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different medication schedule. This
can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Before
prescribing sumatriptan, your doctor should also evaluate the condition of your heart
if you have certain risks for heart disease.

Special considerations

If you have mild or moderate liver disease, you should not take more than 50 mg of
sumatriptan in a single dose. If you have severe liver disease, you should not use
sumatriptan at all.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information.
However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list
includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to
speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Take as directed
Sumatriptan oral tablet is used for short-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if
you don’t take it as prescribed.
If you don’t take the drug at all:Your symptoms of migraine may not improve.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body.
Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:

 seizures
 tremor
 paralysis of one limb, one side of the body, or the whole body
 swelling and redness of the arms and legs
 trouble breathing
 loss of balance

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison
control center. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency
room right away.

How to tell if the drug is working:Your symptoms of migraine should get better. If
your symptoms do not get better at all after taking the drug, talk to your doctor before
taking any more of the medication.

Important considerations for

taking sumatriptan
Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes sumatriptan oral tablet for
you.

General
 You can take sumatriptan tablets with or without food.
  Do not cut or crush the tablet.
 Not every pharmacy stocks this drug. When filling your prescription, be sure to
call ahead.

Storage
 Store sumatriptan tablets between 36°F and 86°F (2°C and 30°C).
 Keep this drug away from light.
 Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new
prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of
refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

 Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a
checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
 Don’t worry about airport x-ray machines. They can’t hurt your medication.
 You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication.
Always carry the original prescription-labeled box with you.
 Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the
car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Clinical monitoring
Your doctor will monitor your health during your treatment with sumatriptan. They
may check your:

 blood pressure
 heart rate and rhythm
 vision
 kidney function
 liver function

You may need to have some blood tests done to be sure your kidneys and liver are
working well.

Hidden costs

You may need to have blood tests during your treatment with sumatriptan. The cost of
these tests will depend on your insurance coverage.

Insurance

Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for this drug. This means
your doctor may need to get approval from your insurance company before your
insurance company will pay for the prescription.

Are there any alternatives?

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for
you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually
correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute
for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult
your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information
contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions,
precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of
warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug
combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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Last medically reviewed on January 11, 2018

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FEEDBACK:
 Medically reviewed by University of Illinois — Written by University of Illinois — Updated on
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