ONLINE PHARMACY find all drugs you want

Generic Name: sumatriptan (oral/nasal) (soo ma TRIP tan)
Brand Names: Imitrex, Imitrex Nasal

What is sumatriptan?

Sumatriptan is a headache medicine. It is believed to work by narrowing the blood vessels around the brain. Sumatriptan also reduces substances in the body that can trigger headache pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other migraine symptoms.

Sumatriptan tablets and nasal spray are used to treat migraine headaches.

Sumatriptan will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

Sumatriptan may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about sumatriptan?

Sumatriptan can cause serious side effects on the heart, including heart attack or stroke. Although these side effects are rare, do not use this medication if you have a history of heart disease, angina (chest pain), blood circulation problems, ischemic bowel disease, severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure, or history of a heart attack or stroke.

Before using sumatriptan, tell your doctor if you have a seizure disorder, coronary artery disease, or risk factors for coronary artery disease (such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, having a family history of coronary artery disease, being older than 40 and a man, or being a woman who has had a hysterectomy).

Sumatriptan will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

After taking a sumatriptan tablet, you must wait two (2) hours before taking a second tablet. Do not take more than 200 mg of sumatriptan tablets in 24 hours. After using sumatriptan nasal spray, you must wait two (2) hours before using a second spray. Do not use more than 40 mg of sumatriptan nasal spray in 24 hours.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using sumatriptan?

• a history of heart disease, angina (chest pain), blood circulation problems, or history of a heart attack or stroke;

• ischemic bowel disease; or

• severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure.

• almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or

• ergot medicine such as methysergide (Sansert), ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), ergonovine (Ergotrate), methylergonovine (Methergine).

Before using sumatriptan, tell your doctor if you have:

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• high blood pressure;

• liver disease;

• kidney disease; or

• coronary artery disease (or risk factors that include diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, having a family history of coronary artery disease, being older than 40 and a man, or being a woman who has had a hysterectomy).

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use sumatriptan, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

Your name may need to be listed on a sumatriptan pregnancy registry when you start using this medication.

How should I use sumatriptan?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label. Use sumatriptan as soon as you notice headache symptoms, or after an attack has already begun.

Your doctor may want to give your first dose of this medicine in a hospital or clinic setting to see if you have any serious side effects.

After taking a tablet: If your headache does not completely go away, or goes away and comes back, take a second tablet two hours after the first. Do not take more than 200 mg of sumatriptan oral tablets in 24 hours. If your symptoms have not improved, contact your doctor before taking any more tablets.

Sumatriptan nasal spray comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Blow your nose to clear your nasal passages before using the nasal spray. Try not to sneeze or blow your nose just after using the spray.

After using the nasal spray: If your headache does not completely go away after using the spray, call your doctor before using a second spray of sumatriptan. If your headache goes away and then comes back, you may use a second spray if it has been at least two hours since you used the first spray. Do not use more than 40 mg of sumatriptan nasal spray in 24 hours. If your symptoms do not improve, contact your doctor before using any more sprays.

Contact your doctor if you have more than four headaches in one month (30 days).

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since sumatriptan is used as needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule. Call your doctor promptly if your sysmptoms do not improve after using sumatriptan.

After taking a sumatriptan tablet, you must wait two (2) hours before taking a second tablet. Do not take more than 200 mg of sumatriptan tablets in 24 hours.

After using sumatriptan nasal spray, you must wait two (2) hours before using a second spray. Do not use more than 40 mg of sumatriptan nasal spray in 24 hours.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a sumatriptan overdose may include seizure (convulsions), tremors or shaking, skin redness, breathing problems, blue-colored lips or fingernails, vision problems, watery eyes or mouth, and weakness or lack of coordination.

What should I avoid while using sumatriptan?

Sumatriptan side effects

• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;

• sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;

• sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;

• fast heart rate, agitation, muscle stiffness, hallucinations, lack of coordination, with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;

• sudden and severe stomach pain and bloody diarrhea;

• seizure (convulsions); or

• numbness or tingling and a pale or blue-colored appearance in your fingers or toes.

Continue using sumatriptan and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

• muscle pain;

• warmth or redness under your skin;

• pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body;

• sneezing, runny nose, congestion, cough;

• burning, numbness, pain or other irritation in your nose or throat after using the nasal spray;

• unusual taste in your mouth after using the nasal spray;

• dizziness, sleepiness; or

• drooling or sweating.

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?

Before using sumatriptan, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor); or

• another migraine medicine such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), sumatriptan (Imitrex), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use sumatriptan, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect sumatriptan. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about sumatriptan written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Sumatriptan is available with a prescription under the brand name Imitrex. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.