Sumatriptan
About Sumatriptan
Sumatriptan is used to treat migraine. It reduces the symptoms of migraine and stops the attack from becoming worse. Migraine is a primary headache disorder. Migraine most often starts at puberty. People most affected by migraine are aged between 35 and 45 years. Migraine is supposed to result from the swelling (dilatation) of vessels of blood in the head. It is more common in women. It is caused by the initiation of a process deep in the brain that causes the release of pain-producing inflammatory substances across the head's blood vessels and nerves.
Sumatriptan works by narrowing the blood vessels in the head, stopping the spread of pain to the brain, and blocking the release of substances that cause nausea and other migraine symptoms. This relieves the attack of migraine.
Take Sumatriptan as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Sumatriptan as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical conditions. You may experience dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, peripheral neuropathy (itchy and numbness of hands and feet), and flushing (hotness in the ears, face, trunk, and neck). Most of these side effects of Sumatriptan do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Before starting Sumatriptan, please inform your doctor if you have an allergy to sumatriptan and any other part of sumatriptan, an allergy to any other medicines, and high blood pressure. If you ever have chest pain, heart disease, heart attack, liver disease, and depression, immediately contact your doctor. If you are more than 65 years of age, then inform your doctor because it may cause side effects. Immediately contact your doctor if you are pregnant and breastfeeding.
Uses of Sumatriptan
Medicinal Benefits
Sumatriptan belongs to a group of medicines called selective serotonin receptor agonists. It is primarily used to treat migraines. Sumatriptan works by narrowing the blood vessels in the head, stopping the spread of pain to the brain, and blocking the release of substances that cause nausea and other migraine symptoms. This relieves the attack of migraine.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Sumatriptan
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Weakness
Peripheral neuropathy (itchy and numbness of hand and feet)
Flushing (hotness in the ears, face, trunk, and neck)
Drug Warnings
Do not take Sumatriptan if you have an allergy to sumatriptan and any other part of sumatriptan, allergy to any other medicines, and high blood pressure. If you ever had chest pain, heart disease, heart attack, liver disease, high cholesterol level, diabetes, and depression, then immediately contact your doctor. If you are more than 65 years of age, then inform to doctor because it may cause side effects. Immediately contact your doctor if you are pregnant and breastfeeding. Do not use Sumatriptan within 24 hours before or after using another migraine medicines.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Sumatriptan may have interaction with pain killers (Ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen), an antidepressant (duloxetine), and other medicines for migraine (dihydroergotamine, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Sumatriptan may interact with liver disease, heart disease, and seizures (epilepsy).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Sumatriptan as it may lead to increased dizziness and drowsiness.
Pregnancy
cautionIt is not known whether Sumatriptan will harm an unborn baby. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Breast Feeding
unsafeSumatriptan can pass into the milk of breast. Do not feed within 12 hours after using Sumatriptan. If you use a breast pump during this time, throw out any milk you collect. Do not feed it to your baby.
Driving
cautionSumatriptan may cause dizziness, drowsiness, and uncontrolled movements. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are alert.
Liver
cautionSumatriptan to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionSumatriptan to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeThis Sumatriptan is not recommended for children below 18 years. Therefore this Sumatriptan is unsafe for children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Have your mealtimes at the same time every day.
Avoid extreme temperatures and bright lights.
Avoid noisy places and loud music.
Avoid chocolates, processed food, cheese, smoking, and alcohol, avoid stress and get enough sleep.
Special Advise
- Inform your doctor if your migraine happens more often after starting the medicines.
- Inform your doctor if you have pain in the stomach, bloody diarrhoea, headache, or falling high blood pressure.
- Talk to your doctor if you have a history of stroke or heart disease.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Migraine is a primary headache disorder. Migraine most often starts at puberty. People affected by migraine are between 35 and 45 years old. Migraines are supposed to result from the swelling (dilatation) of vessels of blood in the head. It is more common in women. It is caused by the initiation of a process deep in the brain that causes the release of pain-producing inflammatory substances across the head's blood vessels and nerves. Migraine is chronic, often life-long, and described by frequent attacks. Attacks typically include headache, which is severe or moderate strength, one-sided with the duration of hours to 2-3 days, and nausea (the most characteristic related feature). It attacks between once a week and once a year. In children, attacks are likely to be of smaller duration, and stomach symptoms are more important.
FAQs
Sumatriptan is used to treat migraine. It reduces the symptoms of migraine and stops the attack from becoming worse.
When your migraine headache has begun, take Sumatriptan as soon as possible. Do not use Sumatriptan to avoid an attack. Always take this Sumatriptan just as your doctor has advised you. If you are not sure, check with your pharmacist or doctor.
Yes, Sumatriptan can lead to an increase in blood pressure. However, it does not happen to everyone. However, you should monitor your blood pressure continuously during treatment with Sumatriptan.
If you have regular or daily headaches because of the frequent use of headache medicines, it is suggestive of Sumatriptan overuse headache. It would be best if you asked your doctor who may stop the Sumatriptan for some time.
Sumatriptan belongs to a family of tryptamine-based drugs called Triptans. It would be best if you did not take another triptan along with Sumatriptan. Taking two triptans collectively may cause a heart attack and may also lead to high blood pressure. Do not use Sumatriptan within 24 hours before or after using another migraine medicines.
Migraine headaches may run in families. It happens more often in women than in men. It has been seen that some women, but not all, have little migraine headache when they are pregnant.
Few people develop feeling before getting an attack by a migraine. It may include visual problems like seeing blinking lights, blind spots or zig-zag patterns, dizziness, numbness, or an itching sensation like needles and pins and. You may also have problems in speaking and loss of consciousness, even though this is uncommon.
No, Sumatriptan should not be taken to prevent migraine attacks. It only helps to treat the symptoms of migraine headaches.
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any of the components in Sumatriptan, have heart problems, circulation problems, Raynaud's disease (problems with blood flow to the fingers, toes, ears, and nose), ischemic bowel disease (bloody diarrhoea and stomach pain caused by decreased blood flow to the intestines), high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, seizures, or liver or kidney disease. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
You can Sumatriptan with propranolol if the doctor has prescribed it. Consult the doctor before taking other medicines with Sumatriptan to prevent any interactions.
Do not take Sumatriptan if you have severe liver problems. Consult the doctor before taking Sumatriptan if you have mild to moderate liver problems.
Sumatriptan works by narrowing the blood vessels in the head, stopping the spread of pain to the brain, and blocking the release of substances that cause nausea and other migraine symptoms.
The side effects of Sumatriptan include dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, peripheral neuropathy, and flushing (hotness in the ears, face, trunk, and neck). Consult the doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
An overdose of Sumatriptan can result in drowsiness, vomiting, a slowing heartbeat, fainting, and loss of control over one's bowels and bladder. If you suspect you have taken an overdose or notice signs of overdose, please consult a doctor immediately.
As soon as the pain begins, take a dose of Sumatriptan. Avoid taking it before your migraine symptoms appear as it does not prevent a migraine attack.
Hormonal changes, environmental conditions, changes in sleep cycle, diet, caffeine withdrawal, loud noises or bright lights, stress and anxiety can trigger migraine attacks.
Sumatriptan is not used to prevent a migraine attack. It should usually be taken at the first sign of a migraine headache. Take the medicine as advised by the doctor.
