Sumatriptan (brand name Imigran) is a strong painkiller used mainly for migraines (and also sometimes cluster headaches).
It comes as a tablet form 50mg and 100mg and also as a nasal spray 10mg and 20mg (per spray)
The higher doses should only be used if the lower dose has already been tried first.
Sumatriptan tablets
Sumatriptan sprays
LEADING POINTS:
SUMATRIPTAN DRUG INFORMATION
Sumatriptan is a drug used to treat migraine pain. It belongs to a group of medicines called triptans (also known as serotonin agonists).
HOW DOES SUMATRIPTAN WORK?
Activates serotonin receptors in the body, leading to narrowing of blood vessels and lowering inflammation. Inflammation is a big cause of migraine so lowering inflammation reduces severity of migraine symptoms such as throbbing headache.
HOW LONG DOES SUMATRIPTAN TAKE TO WORK?
- Tablets – within 30-60 minutes
- Nasal spray – within 15 minutes
WHO IS SUMATRIPTAN SUITABLE FOR?
Do NOT take Sumatriptan if:
- Tightening of blood vessels supplying heart (coronary vasospasm)
- Poor/disrupted blood flow to heart
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Moderate-severe high blood pressure (even if controlled)
- Issues with blood vessels or blood flow around the body in general
- Previous heart attack, stroke or or mini-stroke
- Prinzmetal’s angina or severe angina (involves chest pain even at rest)
- Severe liver impairment
- Under 18
- Over 65 and using nasal spray (tablets OK within caution)
- Have not yet been diagnosed with a migraine by a doctor
Use Sumatriptan within CAUTION if:
- Mild AND well controlled high blood pressure
- Risk of heart disease – including male over 40, heavy smoker or drinker, family history, post-menopausal female, using smoking cessation services (nicotine replacement therapy)
- Risk or history of seizures
- Elderly (not licensed)
- Kidney impairment
- Mild-moderate liver impairment
Sumatriptan with other medications:
Do not take sumatriptan if taking:
- Other medicines to treat migraine (eg: rizatriptan) – avoid within 24 hours
- Ergotamine or ergometrine or similar – avoid within 24 hours
- Methylsergide – avoid within 24 hours
- Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors within the last 2 weeks (eg: selegiline, Isocarboxazid)
- Narcotic painkillers such as methadone or tapentadol
CAUTION – Tell your doctor before using Sumatriptan if taking any other medicines especially:
- St John Wort
- Antidepressants known as SSRIs or SNRIs (selective serotonin or serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors). Risk of dangerously high serotonin levels known as serotonin syndrome.
- Medications for sickness such as Ondansetron
PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING
Pregnancy
- Avoid unless potential benefit outweighs risk (limited information)
Breastfeeding
- Avoid within 12 hours of taking sumatriptan
HOW TO TAKE SUMATRIPTAN
- Take one tablet or spray
- If improvement after one tablet or spray but then symptoms come back after 2 hours, one more dose can be taken.
- If no improvement within 2-3 hours of first dose, do not take another dose
Important
Do not have more than 40mg of nasal spray or more than 300mg of tablet within 24 hours.
SUMATRIPTAN SIDE-EFFECTS INCLUDE:
Common
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Difficulty breathing
- Sickness
Unknown frequency
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Diarrhea
- Seizure
- Tremor
- Changes in blood pressure
- Vision issues
- Heart palpitations
Stop using and speak to a doctor immediately if:
- Feel heaviness, pressure, tightness or warmth, especially around the head or chest area.
Speak to a doctor if any side effects are disruptive
SUMATRIPTAN ALTERNATIVES:
- Rizatriptan
SUMATRIPTAN INGREDIENTS:
Caution: ingredients can vary by brand.
Sumatriptan 50mg tablets
Croscarmellose sodium (E468)
Polysorbate 80 (E433)
Calcium hydrogen phosphate (E450)
Cellulose microcrystalline (E460)
Sodium hydrogen carbonate (E500)
Magnesium stearate (E470b)
Sumatriptan 100mg tablets
Tablet core
Lactose monohydrate
Croscarmellose sodium
Microcrystalline cellulose
Lactose
Magnesium stearate
Film coating
Lactose monohydrate
Mannitol (E421)
Titanium dioxide (E171)
Triacetin
Talc
Sumatriptan nasal spray
Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate
Dibasic Sodium Phosphate anhydrous
Sulphuric Acid
Sodium Hydroxide
Purified Water.
SOURCES:
https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00669
https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/3522/pil#gref
Shobz Pharmacy 