What is Sumatriptan: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated Jan 13, 2021  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Sumatriptan overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Tosymra, Imitrex, Onzetra Xsail

Generic Names:

  • Sumatriptan

Uses:

  • Treats migraines.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antimigraine

Forms:

  • Powder, Spray

How it’s taken:

  • Into the nose

What is Sumatriptan used for?

Sumatriptan is used to treat patients with migraines. It is also used to treat cluster headaches, cyclic vomiting syndrome, and other conditions as prescribed by your doctor. Sumatriptan dilates narrowed blood vessels of the brain to relieve pain. It is indicated for use by adults and is available as a powder.

What form(s) does Sumatriptan come in

  • Powder

  • Spray

What are common Sumatriptan doses?

  • Solution 5MG/ACT

  • Solution 20MG/ACT

  • Inhaler 1 Solution

  • Bottle 10GM of

Common Sumatriptan prescriptions

  • SUMAtriptan
    1 solution inhaler

  • SUMAtriptan
    20mg/act solution

  • SUMAtriptan
    5mg/act solution

How to take Sumatriptan

  • Talk with your doctor if you need to treat more than 4 headaches in any 30-day period.

  • Nasal routeKeep the bottle tightly closed when not using it. Store at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not store in the refrigerator or freezer.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed. Use sumatriptan only when you have a migraine.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

  • Nasal routeThis medicine is for use only in the nose. Do not get any of it in your eyes or on your skin. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away.

  • Powder: This medicine is given through a nosepiece with the Xsail„¢ breath-powered delivery device. You will throw away each nosepiece after you use it, but you will keep the device to use again.Your healthcare provider will teach you how to use the nosepiece and device.Follow the directions to put the nosepiece into the device until you hear it click.Press the white button all the way down one time, and then release it. This will open the capsule that contains the medicine powder.Insert the nosepiece into your nose, and then rotate the device around to your mouth.Blow into the mouthpiece for 2 or 3 seconds. Your breath will blow the powder up into your nose.Press the clear tab and take the nosepiece out of the device.Repeat the same steps with another nosepiece in your other nostril.

  • Spray: Use 1 spray of medicine for 1 dose, unless your doctor tells you to use more.Nasal routeBefore using the medicine, gently blow your nose to clear the nostrils. Gently press one nostril to close it.Hold the device upright between your thumb and first 2 fingers. Insert half of the spray nozzle into the open nostril and angle outward.Tilt your head back slightly.Firmly press the plunger all the way up as you slowly breathe through your nose.Remove the device from your nostril. Keep your head upright and gently breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth. Repeat this for 10 to 20 seconds. You may feel liquid in your nose or at the back of your throat.Do not look down as this may cause the medicine to drip from your nose.

  • If your headache improves but then comes back, you may use a second dose. Wait at least 1 hour (Tosymra„¢) or 2 hours (Imitrex® or Onzetra„¢) before you take the second dose. Call your doctor if your headache does not improve at all after the first dose.

  • If your headache improves but then comes back, you may use a second dose. Wait at least 1 hour (Tosymra„¢) or 2 hours (Imitrex® or Onzetra„¢) before you take the second dose. Call your doctor if your headache does not improve at all after the first dose.

  • Nasal routeThis medicine is for use only in the nose. Do not get any of it in your eyes or on your skin. If it does get on these areas, rinse it off right away.

  • Talk with your doctor if you need to treat more than 4 headaches in any 30-day period.

  • Powder: This medicine is given through a nosepiece with the Xsail„¢ breath-powered delivery device. You will throw away each nosepiece after you use it, but you will keep the device to use again.Your healthcare provider will teach you how to use the nosepiece and device.Follow the directions to put the nosepiece into the device until you hear it click.Press the white button all the way down one time, and then release it. This will open the capsule that contains the medicine powder.Insert the nosepiece into your nose, and then rotate the device around to your mouth.Blow into the mouthpiece for 2 or 3 seconds. Your breath will blow the powder up into your nose.Press the clear tab and take the nosepiece out of the device.Repeat the same steps with another nosepiece in your other nostril.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed. Use sumatriptan only when you have a migraine.

  • Nasal routeKeep the bottle tightly closed when not using it. Store at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not store in the refrigerator or freezer.

  • Spray: Use 1 spray of medicine for 1 dose, unless your doctor tells you to use more.Nasal routeBefore using the medicine, gently blow your nose to clear the nostrils. Gently press one nostril to close it.Hold the device upright between your thumb and first 2 fingers. Insert half of the spray nozzle into the open nostril and angle outward.Tilt your head back slightly.Firmly press the plunger all the way up as you slowly breathe through your nose.Remove the device from your nostril. Keep your head upright and gently breathe in through your nose and breathe out through your mouth. Repeat this for 10 to 20 seconds. You may feel liquid in your nose or at the back of your throat.Do not look down as this may cause the medicine to drip from your nose.

  • Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Sumatriptan contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to sumatriptan. Tell your doctor if you have heart disease or blood circulation problems, including heart rhythm problems, ischemic bowel disease, peripheral vascular disease, or a history of heart attack, angina (chest pain), stroke, or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Sumatriptan warnings

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Increased risk for chest pain, heart rhythm problems, heart attack, or strokeTightness, pain, or discomfort in your chest, neck, or jawSpasms in the blood vessels, including Raynaud syndromeSerotonin syndrome (more likely if used with medicine to treat depression)High blood pressureSeizures

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, epilepsy, high blood pressure, eye or vision problems, or high cholesterol. Tell your doctor if you smoke or you have a family history of heart disease.

  • Do not breastfeed for 12 hours after you use this medicine.

  • Your headaches may become worse if you use headache medicine for 10 or more days per month. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Sudden severe headache (other than the one being treated)

  • Vision changes that are not part of a usual migraine

Sumatriptan interactions

  • Some medicines can affect how sumatriptan works. Tell your doctor if you are using medicine for depression.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

  • Your headaches may become worse if you use headache medicine for 10 or more days per month. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 2 weeks.

  • Do not use this medicine if you have taken another triptan or ergot medicine in the past 24 hours (including almotriptan, dihydroergotamine, eletriptan, ergotamine, frovatriptan, methysergide, naratriptan, rizatriptan, or zolmitriptan).

Sumatriptan side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting

  • Sudden severe headache (other than the one being treated), problems with vision, speech, or walking

  • Vision changes that are not part of a usual migraine

  • Numbness, tingling, cramps, unexplained pain in your legs or feet, numbness or weakness in your arm or leg, or on one side of your body

  • Color changes and cold feeling in your toes or fingers

  • Pain in your lower leg (calf)

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Anxiety, restlessness, sweating, muscle spasms, twitching, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there

  • Chest pain, especially if it spreads to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, unusual sweating, fainting, coughing up blood

  • Seizures

  • Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Bad or unusual taste in your mouth

  • Burning or tingling feeling in your nose

  • Drowsiness, tiredness, dizziness