Sumatriptan

Uses of Sumatriptan

Sumatriptan is used to treat the symptoms of migraine headaches (severe, throbbing headaches that sometimes are accompanied by nausea or sensitivity to sound and light). Sumatriptan is in a class of medications called selective serotonin receptor agonists. It works by narrowing blood vessels in the head, stopping pain signals from being sent to the brain, and blocking the release of certain natural substances that cause pain, nausea, and other symptoms of migraine. Sumatriptan does not prevent migraine attacks or reduce the number of headaches you have.

Precautions and Warnings

Before taking sumatriptan, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to sumatriptan, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in sumatriptan tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

Do not take sumatriptan if you have taken any of the following medications in the past 24 hours: other selective serotonin receptor agonists such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or ergot-type medications such as bromocriptine (Parlodel), cabergoline, dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergoloid mesylates (Hydergine), ergonovine (Ergotrate), ergotamine (Cafergot, Ergomar, Wigraine), methylergonovine (Methergine), methysergide (Sansert), and pergolide (Permax).

Some medications should not be taken with sumatriptan. Other medications may cause dosing changes or extra monitoring when taken with sumatriptan. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting sumatriptan with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking sumatriptan, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the following medications or have stopped taking them within the past two weeks: monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)

The following nonprescription products may interact with sumatriptan: aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); acetaminophen (Tylenol). Be sure to let your doctor and pharmacist know that you are taking these medications before you start taking sumatriptan. Do not start any of these medications while taking sumatriptan without discussing with your healthcare provider.;

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart disease; a heart attack; angina (chest pain); irregular heartbeats; stroke or ‘mini-stroke’; or circulation problems such as varicose veins, blood clots in the legs, Raynaud’s disease (problems with blood flow to the fingers, toes, ears, and nose), or ischemic bowel disease (bloody diarrhea and stomach pain caused by decreased blood flow to the intestines). Your doctor may tell you not to take sumatriptan.

Tell your doctor if you smoke or are overweight; if you have or have ever had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, seizures, or liver or kidney disease; if you have gone through menopause (change of life); or if any family members have or have ever had heart disease or stroke.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you plan to be sexually active while you are using this medication, talk to your doctor about effective methods of birth control. If you become pregnant while taking sumatriptan, call your doctor.

You should know that this medication may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

Dosage

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage form (tablets):

• Adults—25, 50, or 100 milligrams (mg) as a single dose. If you get some relief, or if the migraine comes back after being relieved, another dose may be taken 2 hours after the last dose. Do not take more than 200 mg in any 24-hour period.
• Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor

For Subcutaneous form:
Initial dose: 1 to 6 mg subcutaneously, once

• If some response to first dose occurs, a second dose may be administered at least 1 hour after first dose if needed. Maximum dose: 12 mg per 24 hours

Side Effects

• flushing
• tingling feeling
• feeling warm or cold
• drowsiness
• tiredness
• weakness
• dizziness
• upset stomach
• diarrhea
• nausea
• muscle cramps