Sumatriptan
 
What is Sumatriptan and why is it prescribed?
Sumatriptan is prescribed for the treatment of a migraine attack with or without the presence of an aura. The injectable form is also used to relieve cluster headache attacks. Sumatriptan cuts headaches short. Sumatriptan will not reduce the number of attacks you experience. Sumatriptan should be used only to treat an acute, classic migraine attack or a cluster headache. It should not be used for certain unusual types of migraine.

How should you take Sumatriptan?
Follow your doctors directions for taking Sumatriptan. Sumatriptan should be taken as soon as your symptoms appear, but may be used at any time during an attack. It is available in three forms: injection, tablets, and nasal spray. Sumatriptan injection is administered just below the skin with an autoinjector. Choose a site where the skin is thick enough to take the full length of the needle (1/4 inch). Avoid injecting Sumatriptan into a muscle or a vein. Your doctor should instruct you on how to use the autoinjector and how to dispose of the empty syringes. You should also read the instruction pamphlet that comes with the medication. You can take a second injection if your headache returns; however, never take more than 2 injections within 24 hours, and be sure to wait 1 hour between doses. Sumatriptan tablets should be swallowed whole, with liquid. If you have had no relief 2 hours after taking Sumatriptan Tablets, you may take a second dose of up to 100 milligrams, if your doctor advises it. If the headache returns, you may take additional doses at intervals of at least 2 hours. You should not take more than 300 milligrams in one day. If your headache returns after you have had an Sumatriptan Injection, you may take single Sumatriptan Tablets, at intervals of at least 2 hours, up to a maximum of 200 milligrams in a day. Sumatriptan nasal spray is packaged in single-dose bottles containing either 5 or 20 milligrams of the drug. The usual dosage is a single spray in one nostril. If the headache returns, you may repeat the dose once after 2 hours. Do not take more than 40 milligrams a day. Sumatriptan is not for regular use. Take it only during an attack. Store Sumatriptan away from heat and light, at room temperature, in the case provided. If your medication has expired, throw it away as instructed, but keep the autoinjector. If your doctor decides to stop your treatment, do not keep any leftover medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Throw away your medicine as instructed.

Are there any Sumatriptan side effects?
Sumatriptan side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Sumatriptan side effects may include burning sensation, dizziness or vertigo, feeling of heaviness, feeling of tightness, flushing, mouth and tongue discomfort, muscle weakness, nausea (nasal spray), neck pain and stiffness, numbness, pressure sensation, redness at the site of injection, sinus or nasal discomfort (nasal spray), sore throat, tingling, unusual taste (nasal spray), vomiting (nasal spray), and warm/cold sensation. Less common or rare Sumatriptan side effects may include abdominal discomfort, agitation, allergic reactions (severe), anxiety, asthma, backache, backflow of stomach contents, bleeding between periods, bleeding in ears, nose or throat, breast tenderness, burning/numbness of tongue, changes in heart rhythm, chills, cold sensation, confusion, constipation, cough, depression, diarrhea, difficult or labored breathing, difficult or painful urination, difficulty concentrating, difficulty speaking, difficulty swallowing, drowsiness/calmness, dry mouth, ear infection, ear pain, exaggerated feeling of well-being, eye irritation, facial pain, fainting, fatigue, feeling strange, fever, general feeling of illness, headache, hearing loss, hearing disturbance, heavy feeling, hives, incoordination, increased urination, intolerance of noise or light, itching, jaw discomfort, joint problems, muscle cramps, muscle pain or tenderness, painful menstruation, pressure in chest, rapid and throbbing heartbeat, rash, ringing in the ears, rise or fall in blood pressure (temporary), sensation of lightness, sensitivity to noise or heat, shivering, shortness of breath, sinus inflammation, sinus or nasal discomfort, skin eruptions, skin redness or tenderness, sleep disturbances, smell disturbances, stomach problems, sweating, swelling, tearing, thirst, tight feeling in head, tightness in chest, tremors, and vision changes or loss. In addition to the above side effects, people taking Sumatriptan for cluster headache may experience nausea, a "pins and needles" sensation, vomiting, or wheezing.

What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Sumatriptan?
If Sumatriptan is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. It is important to check with your doctor before combining Sumatriptan with Drugs classified as MAO inhibitors (including the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate), Ergot-containing drugs (such as Cafergot and Ergostat), Fluoxetine (Prozac), Fluvoxamine (Luvox), Paroxetine (Paxil), or Sertraline (Zoloft).

Are there any special warnings about Sumatriptan?
Although the danger is minimal, Sumatriptan has triggered serious heart problems in people with heart disease. For that reason, the doctor may want you to take your first dose of Sumatriptan in the office, where you can be closely watched for ill effects. Be sure to tell the doctor if you have any conditions that increase your risk of heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. Also let him know if you smoke, have heart disease in the family, or have gone through menopause. Patients at risk of heart disease should have periodic cardiac evaluations as long as they continue using Sumatriptan. If you develop pain or tightness in the chest, throat, or jaw after taking a dose, consult your doctor before taking any more. If you develop severe chest pain, call the doctor immediately. Also seek immediate attention if you suffer sudden, severe abdominal pain after a dose of Sumatriptan. It could signal a blood vessel problem. Be careful not to inject Sumatriptan into a vein. This can cause a serious heart irregularity. If your fingers turn pale, then blue, after a dose of Sumatriptan, you may have a circulatory problem such as hardening of the arteries. Be sure to let your doctor know. Sumatriptan should not be used for other types of migraine headache. If the first dose does not relieve your symptoms, your doctor will re-evaluate you; you may not have migraine or cluster headache. If your headache does not feel like any you have been experiencing, do not take Sumatriptan. Use Sumatriptan cautiously if you have liver or kidney disease. Also, if you have any trouble with your eyes, tell your doctor. Sumatriptan is not recommended for adults over 65. It has not been tested in children. Although very rare, severe and even fatal allergic reactions have occurred in people taking Sumatriptan. Such reactions are more likely in people who have several allergies. In rare cases, people have suffered seizures after taking Sumatriptan.
 

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