Sumatriptan Oral Tablet

Sumatriptan is used to treat migraines. It helps to relieve headache, pain, and other migraine symptoms (including nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light/sound). Prompt treatment helps you return to your normal routine and may decrease your need for other pain medications. Sumatriptan belongs to a class of drugs known as triptans. It affects a certain natural substance (serotonin) that causes narrowing of blood vessels in the brain. It may also relieve pain by affecting certain nerves in the brain.Sumatriptan does not prevent future migraines or lessen how often you get migraine attacks.

Flushing, feelings of tingling/numbness/prickling/heat, tiredness, weakness, drowsiness, or dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: blue fingers/toes/nails, cold hands/feet, hearing changes, mental/mood changes.Chest/jaw/neck tightness can commonly occur soon after using sumatriptan. Only rarely are these signs of a serious condition. However, you may not be able to tell it apart from a serious reaction due to a lack of blood flow to the heart, brain, or other parts of the body. Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: chest pain, jaw/left arm pain, fainting, fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat, vision changes, weakness on one side of the body, confusion, slurred speech, sudden or severe stomach/abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, change in the amount of urine.This medication may increase serotonin and rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome/toxicity. The risk increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin, so tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the drugs you take (see Drug Interactions section). Get medical help right away if you develop some of the following symptoms: fast heartbeat, hallucinations, loss of coordination, severe dizziness, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitching muscles, unexplained fever, unusual agitation/restlessness.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using sumatriptan, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: blood circulation problems (for example, in your legs, arms/hands, or stomach), certain types of headaches (hemiplegic or basilar migraine), heart problems (such as chest pain, irregular heartbeat, previous heart attack), liver disease, seizure, stroke or "mini-stroke" (transient ischemic attack).Certain conditions can increase your risk for heart problems. Tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions, including: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, family history of heart disease, overweight, smoker, postmenopausal (women), age more than 40 years (men).This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).The risk of heart disease, liver disease, and high blood pressure increases with age. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially increased blood pressure and heart problems.During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.This drug passes into breast milk in small amounts. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Sumatriptan oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Drugs you should not use with sumatriptan

Do not take these drugs with sumatriptan. Doing so can cause dangerous effects in the body. Examples of these drugs include:

• Monoamine oxidase-A inhibitors (MAOIs), such as phenelzine, isocarboxazid, or tranylcypromine. Taking these drugs with sumatriptan can cause a severe condition called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms can include agitation, sweating, fast heartbeat, or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real). They can also include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of balance.
• Ergot-containing drugs, such as dihydroergotamine or methysergide. Taking these drugs with sumatriptan raises your risk of certain side effects, such as tightness or pressure in your chest. Don’t take these medications if you’ve taken sumatriptan in the last 24 hours.
• Other serotonin-1 receptor agonists, such as almotriptan or zolmitriptan. Taking these drugs with sumatriptan raises your risk of certain side effects, such as tightness or pressure in your chest. Don’t take these medications if you’ve taken sumatriptan in the last 24 hours.

Interactions that increase your risk of side effects

Side effects from sumatriptan: Taking sumatriptan with certain medications raises your risk of side effects from sumatriptan. Examples of these drugs include:

• Tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline. You’re at higher risk of developing a serious condition called serotonin syndrome if you take these drugs. Symptoms can include agitation, sweating, fast heartbeat, or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real). They can also include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of balance.
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors used to treat depression, such as sertraline or fluoxetine. You’re at higher risk of developing a serious condition called serotonin syndrome if you take these drugs. Symptoms can include agitation, sweating, fast heartbeat, or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real). They can also include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of balance.
• Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, such as venlafaxine or duloxetine. You’re at higher risk of developing a serious condition called serotonin syndrome if you take these drugs. Symptoms can include agitation, sweating, fast heartbeat, or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real). They can also include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of balance.
• Medications used to control headache pain, such as dihydroergotamine, codeine, or hydrocodone. Using too many medications to help control your headache symptoms may make your headache worse. Talk with your doctor about which medications to take to help manage your headache symptoms.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

This dosage information is for sumatriptan oral tablet. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:

• your age
• the condition being treated
• how severe your condition is
• other medical conditions you have
• how you react to the first dose

Forms and strengths

Generic: sumatriptan

• Form: Oral tablet
• Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg

Brand: Imitrex

• Form: Oral tablet
• Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg

Dosage for migraine headache

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

• Typical starting dosage: One tablet (25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg) taken when migraine symptoms appear.
• Dosage increases: If you don’t get enough relief within 2 hours of the first dose, talk to your doctor. They may suggest that you take another tablet. Don’t take another dose without talking to your doctor first.
• Maximum dosage: Do not take more than 200 mg within a 24-hour period

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

It has not been confirmed that sumatriptan is safe and effective for use in children. Do not use in people younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

The kidneys, liver, and heart of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This increases your risk of side effects.

Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different medication schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Before prescribing sumatriptan, your doctor should also evaluate the condition of your heart if you have certain risks for heart disease.

Special considerations

If you have mild or moderate liver disease, you should not take more than 50 mg of sumatriptan in a single dose. If you have severe liver disease, you should not use sumatriptan at all.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Sumatriptan oral tablet is used for short-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you don’t take the drug at all: Your symptoms of migraine or cluster headaches may not improve.

If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this drug can include:

• seizures
• tremor
• paralysis of one limb, one side of the body, or the whole body
• swelling and redness of the arms and legs
• trouble breathing
• loss of balance

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

How to tell if the drug is working: Your symptoms of migraine or cluster headache should get better. If your symptoms do not get better at all after taking the drug, talk to your doctor before taking any more of the medication.