Imitrex
Brand Name: Imitrex
Generic Name: Sumatriptan Succinate
It provides fast relief of migraine headaches.

It works by shrinking dilated blood vessels in the brain which are thought to be one of the cause of migraine headaches.

Oral sumatriptan succinate belongs to a class of antimigraine agents called selective 5-HT serotonin agonists.

 

FDA Approved Uses

Acute treatment of migraine headache, with or without aura.

Contraindications

Any of the following may be reason to choose a different drug. Inform your doctor before starting therapy.
Allergy to sumatriptan
Ischemic heart disease (angina, history of heart attack, or documented silent ischemia)
Prinzmetal angina
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Use of an ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medication within the last 24 hours
The use of a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor within the last 2 weeks

Dosages may require modification to adjust for individual sensitivities and associated medical conditions.

Adults Under 60
25-100 mg taken by mouth as a single dose with a full glass of water as soon as headache starts. If there is no satisfactory response after 2 hours, take another 25-100 mg. If headache returns, additional doses may be taken every 2 hours up to a daily maximum of 300 mg.
There is no evidence that an initial dose of 100 mg provides substantially greater relief than 25 mg.
Swallow tablets whole.

Adults 60 and Over
Reduced dosage may be necessary. Consult your physician.

Maximum Dosage Recommendations
Adults: 100 mg per dose and 300 mg per 24 hours.

Usual Duration of Use
This is used for short term, as needed therapy.

If You Miss a Dose
This is taken as needed.


Storage

Keep all medications out of the reach of children

Store in a tightly closed container at room temperature in a dry, dark place. Do not store in the bathroom. Moisture can cause the drug to break down.

You may experience the following side effects with the use of this drug:

Common Symptoms

None expected

Less Common to Rare Symptoms

Discomfort of jaw, mouth, throat, nose or sinuses
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Pain, pressure or tightness in chest
Sensation of burning, warmth, numbness, cold or tingling

Life-threatening Symptoms

Please see the Boxed Warning in the Warnings section.

Possible Overdose Symptoms

Breathing difficulties
Loss of coordination
Convulsions
Paralysis
Redness of arms and legs
Tremor

What to Do in Case of Overdose

Dial 911 for emergency help or call your poison control center.

Imitrex

Warning: Only use sumatriptan nasal when a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established. Serious coronary events, including some that have been fatal, although extremely rare, have occurred. Because of the potential of sumatriptan to cause coronary vasospasm, sumatriptan should not be given to patients in whom unrecognized coronary artery disease (CAD) is likely without first evaluating the underlying cardiovascular disease. The patients in this category include women who are postmenopausal, males over 40 years of age, patients with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, patients who smoke, or patients with a strong family history of CAD.



Infants and Children
This drug is not recommended for use in children under 18.

Adults Over 60
Use with caution in this age group, as older patients are more likely to experience the drug's adverse reactions.

Drug Dependency
This drug is not expected to cause physical or psychological dependence.

Pregnancy Risk Category: C

Pregnancy Warnings
There are no adequate studies of fetal harm in pregnant women. This drug should be used only if the benefits to the mother clearly outweigh the potential risks to the fetus.

Nursing Mothers
Sumatriptan is distributed into breast milk; however, problems in humans have not been documented. As with most drugs, it is advisable not to use while you are breastfeeding. Consult your physician if you plan to breastfeed.

Prolonged Use
The effects of prolonged therapy are not known. Consult your physician.

Discontinuing Therapy
No problems are expected. Consult your physician about discontinuing.

Operating a Vehicle or Heavy Machinery
This drug may produce side effects that impair your mental alertness, such as drowsiness or dizziness. Avoid such activities if you feel these symptoms. Avoid consuming alcohol or other CNS depressants while taking this drug. They may intensify these side effects.

Sun Exposure
No problems are expected.