Sumatriptan

1 medicine

Sumatriptan is a triptan that relieves migraine and cluster headache attacks by narrowing blood vessels. It is contraindicated in coronary artery disease, prior stroke, and uncontrolled high blood pressure because of this vessel-narrowing effect.

Imitrex

Sumatriptan

25/50/100mg

Imitrex is a neurology medication containing Sumatriptan, available as 25/50/100mg tablets.

from $2.91 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Sumatriptan is a triptan used to treat acute migraine attacks and cluster headaches, taken as a tablet, nasal spray, or injection at the start of an attack.
  • It works within 30 minutes to 2 hours; a second dose can be taken if the headache returns, but not for a headache that did not respond at all to the first dose.
  • It is contraindicated in coronary artery disease, a history of stroke or transient ischaemic attack, and uncontrolled high blood pressure, because it narrows blood vessels and can trigger a heart attack or stroke in these conditions.
  • Seek urgent care for chest pain or pressure, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or sudden weakness or difficulty speaking.

What sumatriptan treats

Sumatriptan treats acute attacks of migraine, with or without aura, and cluster headache. It is used to stop an attack once it has started, not to prevent migraines from occurring.

How sumatriptan works

During a migraine, blood vessels around the brain widen and nerve pathways send pain signals. Sumatriptan stimulates serotonin (5-HT1) receptors, which narrows these blood vessels and reduces the release of inflammatory chemicals around them, calming the pain signals.

Before you take it

  • Do not take sumatriptan if you have coronary artery disease, a history of heart attack, stroke, or TIA, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or peripheral vascular disease.
  • Do not combine it with an MAOI, or take it within 24 hours of an ergot-type medicine or another triptan.
  • Tell your doctor about risk factors for heart disease, such as smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, or a strong family history, even if you have not been diagnosed with heart disease yourself.
  • Combining sumatriptan with certain antidepressants (SSRIs or SNRIs) can rarely cause serotonin syndrome; know the warning signs.

Side effects

Common effects include tingling or warmth, flushing, mild dizziness, and tightness in the chest or throat that is usually not heart-related.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for:

  • Chest pain or pressure, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw.
  • A fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat.
  • Sudden weakness, slurred speech, or vision loss.
  • A severe allergic reaction: hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

Safety essentials

  • Sumatriptan is contraindicated in known coronary artery disease, prior stroke or TIA, and uncontrolled hypertension; vessel narrowing in these conditions can trigger a heart attack or stroke.
  • Do not exceed the maximum dose in 24 hours, and leave the recommended gap between doses.
  • Seek medical review before use if you have unassessed heart disease risk factors, since a first dose can unmask a hidden heart problem.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.