What is this medication for?
Sumatriptan belongs to a class of medications called 5-hydroxytryptamine (HT) agonists. It is used for the prevention and treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura (warning signs that occur prior to the onset of a migraine). Migraine headaches are thought to be caused by a widening of the blood vessels in the brain. Sumatriptan works by narrowing these blood vessels.
For most people, sumatriptan relieves the symptoms of migraine, including headache, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Significant relief of these symptoms is experienced within 15-30 minutes of taking this medication.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Imitrex Statdose® is available as:
- injectable (subcutaneous)
- 4 mg/0.5 mL (8 mg/mL)
- 6 mg/0.5 mL (12 mg/mL)
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
How should I use this medication?
Injection: The recommended adult dose of sumatriptan injection is a single 6 mg subcutaneous (under the skin, not into the blood vessels) injection at the first sign of a headache. If the headache returns, or if partial but not total relief is obtained, the dose may be repeated after one hour. If the first dose gives no relief at all, a second dose should not be taken unless discussed with your doctor, as it would be unlikely to have any effect on the headache, though you may take the medication for subsequent migraine attacks. No more than 2 injections should be taken during any 24-hour period. Follow the instructions in the patient leaflet to safely dispose of the syringes. Sumatriptan injection should never be injected intravenously (into a vein).
Nasal spray: Each spray delivers 5 mg sumatriptan. The minimum effective dose is 1 spray, while the maximum recommended dose is 4 sprays (20 mg). The nasal spray device is designed for a single use. Do not "prime" it by pumping the spray, because part of the dose could be lost. If the migraine headache returns, or if there is partial but not total relief, the dose may be repeated after 2 hours. No more than 40 mg (8 sprays) should be taken during any 24-hour period. If the first dose gives no relief at all, a second dose should not be taken unless discussed with your doctor, as it would be unlikely to have any effect on the headache, though you may take the medication for subsequent migraine attacks. The nasal spray should be used in one nostril only.
Tablets: The recommended adult dose of the tablets is 25 mg to 100 mg. The most common dose is 50 mg. If the headache returns, or if partial but not total relief is obtained, the dose may be repeated after two hours. If the first dose gives no relief at all, a second dose should not be taken unless discussed with your doctor, as it would be unlikely to have any effect on the headache, though you may take the medication for subsequent migraine attacks. Not more than 200 mg should be taken during any 24-hour period. The tablet should be swallowed whole with water, and not crushed, chewed, or split.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is very important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed.
Who should NOT take this medication?
This medication should not be taken by anyone who:
- is allergic to sumatriptan or any of the components of the formulation
- does not have a clear diagnosis of migraine
- has angina (chest pain), including Prinzmetal angina (coronary vasospasm)
- has blood vessel disease (e.g., ischemic bowel disease, Raynaud's syndrome, stroke, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs)
- has certain types of migraine headaches (including hemiplegic, basilar, or ophthalmoplegic migraine)
- has had a heart attack
- has heart disease (e.g., heart valve disease, ischemic heart disease, abnormal heart rhythms, congenital heart disease)
- has high blood pressure that is severe or not under control
- has severely reduced kidney function
- has severely reduced liver function
- has taken another 5-hydroxytryptamine agonist (e.g., naratriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan) in the previous 24 hours
- has taken ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medications (such as dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, or methysergide) in the previous 24 hours
- is taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine) or has taken them within the past 2 weeks