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| Generic Name: | sumatriptan |
| Pronounced: | sue ma trip tin |
| Brand Names: | Imitrex,
Imitrex Nasal,
Imitrex Statdose |
What is the most important information I should know about sumatriptan? |
|
 | Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you have heart disease
including angina (chest pain), history of a heart attack, or high blood pressure. Serious, even fatal, side
effects involving the heart have been reported with sumatriptan and other similar medicines. |
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| Do not use sumatriptan without first talking to your doctor if the headache you are
experiencing is not like other migraines that you have had. |
|
| Never take more of this medication than is prescribed by your doctor. If your symptoms are not
being treated, contact your doctor. |
 | Sumatriptan may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Use caution when driving, operating
machinery, or performing other hazardous activities until you can evaluate the effects of the medication. |
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What is sumatriptan? |
| Sumatriptan is a headache medicine. It is believed to work by causing vasoconstriction
(narrowing) of blood vessels (arteries and veins) around the brain. Sumatriptan also reduces the release
of substances in the body that contribute to headache pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and
other migraine symptoms. |
| Sumatriptan is used to treat vascular headaches such as migraine and cluster headaches.
Sumatriptan will not prevent migraines or cluster headaches or reduce the number of attacks. It will only
treat a migraine or cluster headache that is already occurring. |
| Sumatriptan may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. |
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using
sumatriptan? |
| Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you have heart disease
including angina (chest pain), history of a heart attack, or high blood pressure. Serious, even fatal, side
effects involving the heart have been reported with sumatriptan and other similar medicines. |
|
| Do not take sumatriptan without first talking to your doctor if you |
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are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the last 14
days;
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have taken an ergot-based medication within the last 24
hours--ergot-based medicines include methysergide (Sansert), ergotamine (Ergostat, Medihaler
Ergotamine), dihydroergotamine mesylate (D.H.E., Migranal Nasal Spray), and ergotamine
combination products (Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine, Cafatine, Cafatine-PB, Cafetrate);
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have taken almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax),
frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), or zolmitriptan
(Zomig) within the last 24 hours;
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have basilar or hemiplegic migraine headaches;
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have a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA
or "mini-stroke");
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are experiencing a headache that is not like other migraines
you have had; or
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have an allergy to sumatriptan or other similar medicines
such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge),
rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig).
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| Taking sumatriptan may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions, or
have taken any of the medications listed above. |
| Before taking sumatriptan, tell your doctor if you have |
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risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure, a family
history of heart disease, high cholesterol (a type of fat in the blood), are overweight, have
diabetes, smoke cigarettes, are postmenopausal, or are a male over 40 years of age;
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have circulation problems such as Raynaud's syndrome;
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liver disease;
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kidney disease; or
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seizures or epilepsy.
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| You may not be able to take sumatriptan, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. |
 | Sumatriptan is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether
sumatriptan will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your
doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. |
|
 | Sumatriptan passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not use sumatriptan
without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. |
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How should I use sumatriptan? |
|
| Use sumatriptan exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions,
ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. |
| Take one tablet, administer an injection, or use the nasal spray as soon as you notice symptoms
of a migraine, or at any time during an attack. |
 | Take each tablet whole with a full glass of water. Do not split the tablets. If your symptoms
go away, but then return, you can take an additional oral dose with an interval of at least 2 hours
between doses, up to a maximum of 200 mg in 24 hours, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Do
not take more than is recommended by your doctor. |
|
| Administer sumatriptan injectable directly beneath the skin (subcutaneously) as soon as you
notice symptoms of a migraine or cluster headache. Ask your doctor or nurse to show you how to use
the auto-injector, and read the directions that accompany the package. Do not inject this medication if
you are unsure how. Never inject any sumatriptan that is discolored or that has particles in it. If your
headache is relieved, but then returns, you can use a second dose 1 hour after the first dose. Do not use
more than 2 doses in 24 hours. |
| For sumatriptan nasal, gently blow your nose to clear any mucous. Insert the tip about 1 cm
(one-half inch) into the nostril, pointing it straight up into the nasal canal. Block your other nostril and
keep your head upright. Pump and sniff gently at the same time. Try not to sneeze or blow your nose
just after using the spray. If your headache is relieved, but then returns, you can use a second dose 2
hours after the first dose. Do not use more than 2 doses in 24 hours. |
| If your symptoms do not improve, contact your doctor before taking any more doses of
sumatriptan. |
| Never take more of this medication than is prescribed by your doctor. If your symptoms are not
being treated, contact your doctor. |
 | Store sumatriptan at room temperature away from moisture, heat, light, and the reach of
children. Throw away any unused medicine on the expiration date. |
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What happens if I miss a dose? |
| Since sumatriptan is used to treat migraines or cluster headaches as they occur and not to
prevent them, missing a dose is not a problem. Use only the doses you need, according to your
doctor's instructions. |
What happens if I overdose? |
 | Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. |
|
| Symptoms of a sumatriptan overdose might include tremor, redness, or a warm feeling in your
arms and legs, irregular breathing, large pupils; an uncoordinated feeling; and chest pain. |
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What should I avoid while using sumatriptan? |
| Sumatriptan may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Use caution when driving, operating
machinery, or performing other hazardous activities until you can evaluate the effects of the medication. |
|
What are the possible side effects of sumatriptan? |
|
| If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop using sumatriptan and seek
emergency medical attention: |
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
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severe or prolonged chest pain or an irregular heartbeat;
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chest, jaw, or neck pain or tightness;
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sudden or severe stomach pain;
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problems seeing; or
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unusual weakness or numbness.
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| Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use
sumatriptan and talk to your doctor if you experience |
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nausea;
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drowsiness or dizziness;
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tingling, flushing, warmth, redness, or heaviness of a body
part;
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unpleasant taste in the mouth (nasal spray);
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nasal irritation (nasal spray); or
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injection site discomfort (injection).
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| 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. |
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What other drugs will affect sumatriptan? |
| Do not use sumatriptan if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as
isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) within the last 14 days. The
combination could cause seizures, nausea, vomiting, sweating, flushing, and dizziness. |
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| Do not use sumatriptan without first talking to your doctor if you have taken any of the
following medicines within the previous 24 hours: |
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an ergot-based medication such as methysergide (Sansert),
ergotamine (Ergostat), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E., Migranal Nasal Spray), and ergotamine
combination products (Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine, Cafatine, Cafatine-PB, Cafetrate); or
-
another migraine medicine such as almotriptan (Axert),
eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt,
Maxalt-MLT), or zolmitriptan (Zomig, Zomig-ZMT).
|
| Using sumatriptan within 24 hours of any of the medicines listed above may
be dangerous. |
| Before using sumatriptan, tell your doctor if you are taking a selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitor (SSRI) such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem),
fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva), or sertraline (Zoloft). You may not be able to use
sumatriptan, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are
taking any of the medicines listed. |
| Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with sumatriptan. Talk to your doctor and
pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals,
and herbal products. |
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. |
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Imitrex 25 mg--white, round, film-coated tablets
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Imitrex 50 mg--white, capsule-shaped, film-coated tablets
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Imitrex 100 mg tablets
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Imitrex Injectable Syringes and Vials 12 mg/mL--clear,
colorless to pale yellow solution
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Imitrex Nasal Spray in 5 mg and 20 mg doses
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| 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 |
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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.
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