Onzetra Xsail, Imitrex, Imitrex Statdose, Sumatriptan
Sumatriptan (soo ma TRIP tan) is a generic medication prescribed to treat migraine and cluster headaches in adults. Sumatriptan belongs to a group of drugs called serotonin agonists, commonly known as triptans.
Sumatriptan (soo ma TRIP tan) is a generic medication prescribed to treat migraine and cluster headaches in adults. Sumatriptan belongs to a group of drugs called serotonin agonists, commonly known as triptans.
- Generic
- • Tablet
- • 100mg
- • 9 Tablets
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Intro
Introduction
Written by Melanie Sangobowale, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Amber Watson, PharmD
Updated on November 7, 2023
Sumatriptan (soo ma TRIP tan) is a generic medication prescribed to treat migraine and cluster headaches in adults. Sumatriptan belongs to a group of drugs called serotonin agonists, commonly known as triptans.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved sumatriptan for use in adults for acute (sudden) treatment of:
- migraine headaches with or without aura
- cluster headaches
These approved uses differ based on the form of sumatriptan your doctor prescribes.
This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of sumatriptan. To find coupons for sumatriptan nasal spray, see this article.
Uses
Uses of sumatriptan
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as sumatriptan for certain conditions. Approved uses for sumatriptan are described below. These uses differ based on the form of sumatriptan prescribed.
Use for migraine headaches
Doctors may prescribe sumatriptan oral tablet, nasal spray, or injection* for treating migraine with or without aura. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.
With migraine, you can experience a severe, long lasting headache. This condition can occur with or without an aura. An aura is a set of symptoms that can happen before or during a migraine. Symptoms of an aura can include visual changes, such as flashes of light, partial vision, and blind spots. Auras can also cause numbness or tingling in the face, lips, tongue, or arms, as well as problems with speech or language.
Doctors may not prescribe sumatriptan oral tablet, nasal spray, or injection* in certain situations, such as:
- when the diagnosis of migraine headache hasn’t been made for sure
- to prevent migraine headaches
* This injection is given under the skin.
Use for cluster headaches
Doctors may prescribe sumatriptan injection* for treating cluster headaches. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.
With cluster headaches, you have headaches clustered together for a period of time, followed by no headaches for a period of time. These headaches can be very painful. They may also cause redness or watery eyes, runny nose, and nausea.
Doctors may not prescribe sumatriptan injection* in certain situations, such as:
- when a diagnosis of cluster headache hasn’t been made for sure
- to prevent cluster headaches
Additionally, doctors aren’t likely to prescribe sumatriptan oral tablet or nasal spray to treat or prevent cluster headaches.
* This injection is given under the skin.
Side effects
Side effects of sumatriptan
Sumatriptan may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of sumatriptan and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.
To learn more about sumatriptan’s side effects, see this article or ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for sumatriptan listed in the “Resources” section.
Mild side effects
More common mild side effects reported with some forms of sumatriptan are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of sumatriptan you use.
This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about sumatriptan’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for sumatriptan listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.
Mild side effects of sumatriptan oral tablet, nasal spray, and injection* include:
- numbness, tingling, or a prickly feeling
- feeling warmer or colder than usual
- pain, tightness, pressure, or heaviness in the neck, throat, jaw, or chest
- dizziness
- mild allergic reaction†
* This injection is given under the skin.
† For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for sumatriptan” section.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects of sumatriptan are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of sumatriptan you use.
This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about sumatriptan’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for sumatriptan listed in the “Resources” section.
With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.
In general, sumatriptan’s serious side effects include:
- heart and blood vessel problems, such as:
- irregular heartbeat
- high blood pressure, stroke
- heart attack
- atypical blood circulation to the:
- hands, feet, or intestines
- including Raynaud’s phenomenon
- seizures
- medication overuse headache (a headache caused due to taking more of the drug than your doctor recommends)
- severe allergic reaction*
* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for sumatriptan” section.
FAQ
Common questions about sumatriptan
Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about sumatriptan.
How does sumatriptan work? And how long does it take to start working?
Sumatriptan belongs to a group of drugs called serotonin agonists or triptans. Serotonin is a type of chemical called a neurotransmitter. It is produced by the nerve cells to help them communicate. Sumatriptan works by allowing more serotonin to attach to receptors in your brain. This causes the blood vessels in your brain to become narrow, helping to ease your headaches. This is the mechanism of action or how the drug works in the body.
It usually takes about 30 minutes after taking a dose of sumatriptan to notice your symptoms easing. If your symptoms don’t go away, you can take another dose of sumatriptan. For the oral tablet or nasal spray form, you can take another dose 2 hours after the first dose. For the injection, you can take another dose 1 hour after the first dose. Talk with your doctor to learn about the maximum dosage for the form of sumatriptan you’re using or taking.
If you’d like to know more about how sumatriptan works or how long it takes to start working, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Is sumatriptan safe for older adults?
Yes, with the right precautions, sumatriptan can be used safely in older adults. In general, older adults refers to people ages 65 years and older.
In adults over the age of 65 years, the heart, liver, and kidneys may not work as well as they used to. This may cause drug levels to build up in the body and cause side effects.
If you’re over the age of 65 years, speak with your doctor before taking sumatriptan. This is especially important if you have certain health conditions, such as heart and blood vessel conditions, liver conditions, or high blood pressure. You may need blood tests to make sure your liver and kidneys are working properly before taking sumatriptan.
Interactions and warnings
Interactions and warnings for sumatriptan
Below, you’ll find information about sumatriptan’s possible interactions and warnings.
Interactions of sumatriptan
Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol, having certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.
Before you take sumatriptan, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:
- prescription or over-the-counter drugs
- vitamins, herbs, or supplements
To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for sumatriptan” section below.
Warnings for sumatriptan
Some people should not take sumatriptan, and others should take it cautiously.
Sumatriptan could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether sumatriptan is a safe option for you. These warnings may differ based on the form of sumatriptan you take.
Ask your doctor about specific warnings for sumatriptan, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:
- current health, including any allergies to medications
- past health conditions or surgeries
Allergic reaction
Sumatriptan can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.
If you’ve had an allergic reaction to sumatriptan or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe sumatriptan. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.
A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:
- swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
- swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems
If you have an allergic reaction to sumatriptan, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.
Overdose of sumatriptan
You should not take more sumatriptan than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.
If you think you’ve taken too much sumatriptan, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
Pregnancy or breastfeeding and sumatriptan
Information about sumatriptan and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.
Sumatriptan and pregnancy
It’s not known whether sumatriptan should be taken during pregnancy. Studies have not shown that taking sumatriptan during pregnancy causes an increase in developmental issues for a fetus. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Sumatriptan and breastfeeding
Studies have shown that sumatriptan can pass into breast milk after injecting this medication under your skin. It’s not known whether sumatriptan oral tablet or spray can pass into breast milk. Also, it’s not known how sumatriptan may affect a breastfed child.
If you decide to take sumatriptan oral tablet, you can decrease your child’s exposure to sumatriptan by not breastfeeding for 12 hours after taking a dose. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
You can speak with your doctor about other treatment options for migraine or cluster headaches. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of sumatriptan and decide whether or not you should take it during this time. Your doctor may recommend other healthy ways to feed your child.
Ask your doctor
What to ask your doctor
Let your doctor know if you have questions about sumatriptan or would like more details about it.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Can I take sumatriptan with other pain medications, such as Tylenol or Advil?
- Will taking sumatriptan cause my headaches to become less frequent?
- Do I need to take sumatriptan oral tablets with food?
Resources
Resources
- Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
- Sumatriptan injection, solution. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/c009976a-4e29-4aeb-9e55-a88766ebb1fb/spl-doc
- Sumatriptan spray. (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/7328ab4f-2985-448d-8724-8f1b55693b41/spl-doc
- Sumatriptan succinate tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/9a7bd628-4909-4d7d-8285-900cedbcc62f/spl-doc
Disclaimer: Optum Perks 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 another 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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