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Sumatriptan (tablets)

Sounds like 'soo-ma-trip-tan'

Key points about sumatriptan tablets

Sumatriptan is used to ease the symptoms of migraine or cluster headaches.
Sumatriptan tablets are also called Imigran®, Arrow-Sumatriptan®, Sumagran Active®, Apo-Sumatriptan®.
Sumatriptan belongs to a group of medicines known as triptans.
Find out how to take it safely and possible side effects.

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Sumatriptan is used to ease the symptoms of migraine or cluster headaches. It works by releasing a natural chemical called serotonin, which causes the blood vessels around your brain to contract (narrow). This reverses the dilating (widening) of blood vessels that's believed to be part of the headache process.

Sumatriptan only works when a migraine attack has already begun. It will not prevent a migraine. Do not take it before your headache begins, or during the aura phase, as it may be less effective. Read more about migraine headaches.

Sumatriptan belongs to a group of medicines called triptans. In New Zealand, sumatriptan is available as tablets (50 mg and 100 mg) and an injection. The information on this page is about sumatriptan tablets. The injection may be better if you are vomiting, or if you develop a sudden migraine. Read more about sumatriptan injection.

Take 1 tablet (50 or 100 milligrams) at the start of the migraine attack. It should work within 30 minutes.
If your migraine improves but then comes back, wait at least 2 hours before taking another tablet (50 or 100 milligrams).
Do not take more than 300 mg in 24 hours (6 of the 50 mg tablets or 3 of the 100 mg tablets).
If the first sumatriptan dose does not relieve your symptoms or help your migraine, do not take another sumatriptan dose for this same attack. It is unlikely to work.

Monthly limit

Using sumatriptan too frequently can cause medication overuse headache or rebound headache. This headache is caused by overuse of painkillers to treat headache, including the use of triptans for migraine. The symptoms include a tension-type headache or migraine-like attack.

Headaches often improve within 7 to 10 days after sumatriptan has been stopped. Symptoms may be worse before an improvement is seen. To avoid this, do not use sumatriptan for more than 10 days per month.

Timing: It is best to take sumatriptan as soon as you notice headache symptoms, but you can take it after a migraine has already begun. Sumatriptan tablets usually start to work within 30 minutes after taking the tablet.
Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew sumatriptan tablets – it has a bitter taste.

Do you have problems with your liver or kidneys?
Do you have problems with high blood pressure (hypertension)?
Have you had a heart attack or do you get angina (chest pain)?
Have you had a stroke or do you get transient ischemic attacks?
Are you pregnant?
Are you breastfeeding?
Are you taking medicine for depression?

If so, it’s important that you tell your doctor or pharmacist before you start sumatriptan. Sometimes a medicine isn’t suitable for a person with certain conditions, or it can only be used with extra care.

Like all medicines, sumatriptan can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.

Side effects	What should I do?
Feeling sleepy Dizziness Tiredness	Be careful when driving or using tools until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not drink alcohol.
Feeling sick or vomiting	This may be due to the migraine attack. Avoid eating until this feeling passes. Tell your doctor if this is troublesome.
Pain, or tightness in your chest, jaw or throat	If the pain is intense or does not go away tell your doctor immediately or phone Healthline 0800 611.116
Signs of serotonin syndrome such as feeling agitated and restless, heavy sweating, shivering, fast heart rate or irregular heartbeat, headache, diarrhoea (runny poos) and rigid or twitching muscles	You are at increased risk of serotonin syndrome if you recently started taking sumatriptan, recently increased the dose or are taking other medicines that can also cause serotonin syndrome. Tell your doctor immediately or phone Healthline 0800 611 116.
Read more about medicines and side effects and reporting a reaction you think might be a side effect.

Sumatriptan interacts with a few medications and herbal supplements, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting sumatriptan or before starting any new medicines. It may also interact some cold and flu preparations containing dextromethorphan such as Benadryl®.

Migraine disease | Māhunga ānini
Triptans

The following links have more information on sumatriptan:

Sumatriptan(external link) New Zealand Formulary
Sumagran tablet(external link) Medsafe Consumer Information Sheet, NZ