Pronunciation: SOO-ma-TRIP-tan
Generic Name: Sumatriptan
Brand Name: Imitrex
Imitrex is used for:
The treatment of migraine headaches with or without aura (eg, flashing lights, wavy lines, dark spots). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Imitrex is a serotonin 5-HT 1 receptor agonist ("triptan"). It works by narrowing blood vessels in the brain, which helps to relieve migraines.
Do NOT use Imitrex if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Imitrex
- you have a history of ischemic heart disease (eg, angina, heart attack), coronary artery disease (CAD), other moderate to severe heart problems, brain blood vessel disease (eg, stroke, transient ischemic attack), or other blood vessel disease (eg, Raynaud syndrome, ischemic bowel disease)
- you have uncontrolled high blood pressure or severe liver problems
- you have certain types of migraines (eg, hemiplegic, basilar)
- you are taking or have taken a monamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the past 14 days
- you have used certain other migraine medicines within the past 24 hours (eg, an ergot derivative [eg, dihydroergotamine, methysergide], another serotonin 5-HT 1 receptor agonist [eg, eletriptan, rizatriptan])
- you are taking sibutramine
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Imitrex:
Some medical conditions may interact with Imitrex. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have history of liver or kidney problems, seizures (eg epilepsy), heart problems, or other types of headaches (eg, cluster headaches)
- if you have shortness of breath, chest pain, or a history of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, high cholesterol, diabetes, or smoking
- if you are a woman who is past menopause
- if you are a man who is more than 40 years old
- if you are very overweight
- if a family member has had heart disease or a stroke
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Imitrex. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (eg, duloxetine), orsibutramine because the risk of a serious side effect called serotonin syndrome may be increased. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include mental or mood changes, hallucinations, fast heartbeat, fever, loss of coordination, muscle spasms, increased sweating, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- MAOIs (eg, phenelzine) because they may increase the risk of Imitrex's side effects
- Ergot derivatives (eg, dihydroergotamine, methysergide) or other serotonin 5-HT 1 receptor agonists (eg, eletriptan, rizatriptan) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Imitrex
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Imitrex may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Imitrex:
Use Imitrex as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient leaflet is available with Imitrex. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Take Imitrex by mouth with or without food.
- Swallow Imitrex whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
- It is best to take a dose of Imitrex as soon as you notice symptoms of a migraine attack.
- If your migraine symptoms go away and then come back, or if you have a partial response to the first dose, you may take a second dose as directed by your doctor. Wait at least 2 hours between doses.
- If your symptoms do not improve after the first dose, do not take a second dose for the same attack. Contact your doctor.
- Do not take more than the amount prescribed by your doctor in a 24-hour period or treat more than 4 headaches within 30 days without checking with your doctor.
- If you miss a dose of Imitrex and you still have a headache, follow your doctor's dosing instructions. Contact your doctor immediately if you are unsure of what to do if you miss a dose. Do not take Imitrex more often than prescribed. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Imitrex.
Important safety information:
- Imitrex may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Imitrex with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Overuse of Imitrex can cause your headache to become worse. Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use more often than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
- Rarely, serious heart problems (eg, heart attack, irregular heartbeat) have been reported within a few hours of using Imitrex. Contact your doctor at once if fast or irregular heartbeat; chest, jaw, or neck pain or numbness; numbness of an arm or leg; severe stomach pain, dizziness, or vomiting; fainting; or vision changes occur. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Serotonin syndrome is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Imitrex. Your risk may be greater if you take Imitrex with certain other medicines (eg, SSRIs, SNRIs). Symptoms may include agitation; confusion; hallucinations; coma; fever; fast or irregular heartbeat; tremor; excessive sweating; and nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.
- Imitrex should not be used to prevent or reduce the number of migraine headaches you have. If you have a headache that is different than your usual migraine headaches, check with your doctor before using Imitrex.
- Lab tests, including heart function tests, may be performed while you use Imitrex. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Imitrex should not be used in the ELDERLY; the risk of serious side effects (eg, heart problems, high blood pressure) may be increased.
- Imitrex should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Imitrex can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Imitrex while you are pregnant. Imitrex is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Imitrex, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Imitrex:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Burning; dizziness; drowsiness; feeling of heaviness or pressure; muscle aches; numbness or tingling of the skin; sick feeling; tingling; tiredness; warm/hot sensation.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody diarrhea; chest pain; confusion; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucination; hearing problems; numbness or tingling of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; pain, tightness, or pressure in the jaw, neck, or chest; seizures; severe headache, dizziness, or vomiting; severe or prolonged flushing; severe stomach pain; shortness of breath; speech changes; very cold or blue fingers or toes; vision changes or loss of vision; wheezing.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Imitrex side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include blue skin or lips; chest pain; dilated pupils; loss of coordination; paralysis; redness of the fingers or toes; seizures; slow or difficult breathing; tremor.
Proper storage of Imitrex:
Store Imitrex between 36 and 86 degrees F (2 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not freeze. Do not store at temperatures above 86 degrees F (30 degrees C). Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Imitrex in the case provided. Throw away expired medicine as directed by your doctor (the expiration date is printed on the treatment pack). Keep Imitrex out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Imitrex, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Imitrex is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is summary only. It does not contain all information about Imitrex. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Imitrex resources
- Imitrex Side Effects (in more detail)
- Imitrex Dosage
- Imitrex Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Imitrex Drug Interactions
- Imitrex Support Group
- 61 Reviews for Imitrex - Add your own review/rating
Compare Imitrex with other medications
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- Migraine
- New Daily Persistent Headache
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