Back to Medicines A to Z. Sumatriptan is a medicine to treat migraines and cluster headaches. It does not prevent these conditions. You take sumatriptan once a migraine or cluster headache has started. It is not a painkiller but you can use this medicine if painkillers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs have not worked.
Sumatriptan comes as tablets, a nasal spray or injection. The nasal spray and injection are used to treat migraines and cluster headaches. The tablets are used for migraines only. Sumatriptan tablets, nasal spray and injections are available on prescription. You can also buy packs containing two 50mg tablets from a pharmacy without a prescription, but only if you have previously been diagnosed with migraines.
Most adults with migraines can have sumatriptan tablets or injections. But the nasal spray is only officially approved for people under the age of Sumatriptan is not officially approved for children. However, a specialist doctor may sometimes prescribe it for a child over the age of 6 years. Sumatriptan is not suitable for some people.
To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor if you:. You may be able to use sumatriptan if you've had high blood pressure in the past and it is now well controlled with treatment.
If you have a latex allergy, check with your doctor or a pharmacist before having sumatriptan injections. Some needle protectors may contain latex. Do not take it at the warning stage, before your migraine starts. This is when some people get symptoms of "aura".
If you find tablets difficult to swallow, some come with a line in the middle to help you break them in half. Check the information leaflet inside the medicine packet to see if you can do this with your medicine. The tablets should work in 30 to 60 minutes.
If your migraine improves but then comes back, you can take the same dose again after 2 hours. However, if the first dose of sumatriptan does not help, do not take another dose for the same attack.
Read the instructions that come with your medicine to find out how to use the pre-filled syringe auto-injector and how to get rid of it safely afterwards. Use the pre-filled syringe to inject 1 dose. This contains 6mg of sumatriptan.
You'll usually inject it into your thigh. However, if the first sumatriptan injection does not help, do not have another one for the same attack. Read the instructions that come with your medicine to find out how to use the single-use nasal spray.
Each spray contains 1 dose 10mg or 20mg of sumatriptan. However if the first dose of sumatriptan does not help, do not take another dose for the same attack.
Do not have more than 2 injections, or 2 doses of nasal spray, or more than mg of tablets in 24 hours. Do not take more than the prescribed amount in any hour period. The maximum amount is mg of tablets, 12mg as injections or 40mg as a nasal spray. Taking too much sumatriptan may make you very ill.
An overdose can cause fainting, slowed heart rate, vomiting, loss of bladder and bowel control, and sleepiness. It can narrow your blood vessels leading to heart problems such as chest pains, abnormal heart rhythm or a heart attack. It can also reduce the blood supply to other organs such as part of your large intestine This can give you a severe stomach ache.
If you need to go to hospital, do not drive yourself. Get someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance. Like all medicines, sumatriptan can cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only minor ones. These common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. If you're taking any of these medicines you should let your doctor know if you experience symptoms such as confusion, agitation, tremor, muscle twitching, shivering, sweating, racing heartbeat or diarrhoea after taking sumatriptan.
Parenting Mental health Healthy eating Conditions Follow. Type keyword s to search. Sumatriptan with painkillers If your first dose of sumatriptan doesn't work to relieve your migraine, it's fine to take a painkiller containing aspirin, paracetamol, or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug NSAID , such as ibuprofen.
If you are pregnant, you should not take naproxen unless your doctor tells you to. Taking an NSAID during the last 20 weeks of pregnancy can cause serious heart or kidney problems in the unborn baby and possible complications with your pregnancy. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides.
Use the lowest dose that is effective in treating your condition. Overuse of migraine headache medicine can actually make your headaches worse. Take 1 tablet as soon as you notice headache symptoms, or after an attack has already begun.
You may take the medicine with or without food. If your headache does not go away , call your doctor before taking a second tablet. If your headache does not completely go away , or goes away and comes back, take a second tablet 2 hours after the first.
If you are 12 to 17 years old: Do not take a second tablet without first asking your doctor. You must wait at least 2 hours before you take a second tablet. Do not take more than 2 tablets in 24 hours. If your symptoms have not improved, call your doctor before taking any more tablets. You should not use this medicine to treat more than 5 headaches in 30 days or more than 2 headaches in 30 days if you are 12 to 17 years old.
Since naproxen and sumatriptan is taken only when needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired. They may contain ingredients similar to naproxen such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or ketoprofen.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat or a severe skin reaction fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling. Stop taking this medicine and seek emergency medical help if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke: chest pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, feeling short of breath.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Sumatriptan pronounced as soo ma trip' tan.
Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow?
What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names Brand names of combination products. Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient. Other uses for this medicine. What special precautions should I follow?
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.
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