Sumatriptan is used to ease the symptoms of migraine or cluster headaches. Find out how to use it safely and possible side effects. Sumatriptan injection is also called Imigran.
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What is sumatriptan?
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 injection. Read more about sumatriptan tablets.
Dose
- Using the autoinjector device, inject a single injection (6 mg) at the start of the migraine attack. It should work within 10–15 minutes.
- If your migraine improves at first but comes back, wait at least 1 hour before giving yourself another injection (6 mg).
- Do not use more than 2 injections (12 mg) in 24 hours.
- If the first sumatriptan dose does not relieve or help your migraine, don't 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 7–10 days after sumatriptan has been stopped. Symptoms may be worse before an improvement is seen. To avoid this, don't use sumatriptan for more than 10 days per month.
How to use sumatriptan
- Timing: It is best to use sumatriptan injection as soon as you notice headache symptoms, but you can also use it after a migraine has already begun. Sumatriptan injection usually starts to work within 10–15 minutes after the injection is given.
- Ask your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to show you how to use the sumatriptan autoinjector device. Inject sumatriptan just under the skin, in the side of your thigh or your upper arm. The thigh is usually preferred. Here is a video describing how to use your sumatriptan autoinjector.
(Health Navigator, NZ, 2021)
Precautions before taking sumatriptan
- 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.
What are the side effects of sumatriptan (injection)?
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.
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Did you know that you can report a side effect to a medicine to CARM (Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring)? Report a side effect to a product |
Interactions
Sumatriptan may interact 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 with some cold and flu preparations containing dextromethorphan such as Benadryl®
Learn more
The following links have more information on sumatriptan.
Sumatriptan NZ Formulary
Imigran injection Medsafe Consumer Information Sheet, NZ
References
- Treatment of acute migraine NZ Formulary
- Diagnosing and managing headache in adults in primary care BPAC, NZ, 2017
- The role of triptans in the treatment of migraine in adults BPAC, NZ, 2014
Additional resources for healthcare professionals
Sumatriptan NZ Formulary
Imigran injection Medsafe, NZ
Cerebrovascular events with sumatriptan Medsafe, NZ, 2002