Sumatriptan belongs to a family of medicines called triptanes. This medication is used in the treatment of migraine headache attacks. In addition, it provides relief from the symptoms that accompany the a migraine attack such as nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound.
The chief active ingredient present in the medicine is sumatriptan succinate. It works by contracting the blood vessels in the head that become widened during the migraine attacks and cause headache and other distressing symptoms.
Sumatriptan is prescribed to adults over 17 years of age. However, it is not recommended for use by elderly above 65 years of age.
Do not take the medicine in case you are allergic to sumatriptan succinate or any other ingredients in the medicine. Consult the GP immediately in case you observe an allergic reaction following the use of the medicine.
Tell the GP up front in case you have circulation problem in legs, liver disease, heart problem, high blood pressure or if you are taking other migraine medicines. In addition, inform the doctor if you are taking anti-depressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors, also known as MOIs.
Inform the GP if you are pregnant or are planning to get pregnant in the near future. If case you are breastfeeding, do not feed the baby for 12 hours after taking Sumatriptan.
You may feel drowsy after taking the medicine. So, do not drive or operate machinery. Wait for some time after taking the medicine as it takes a while to show effect.
You should be extra careful if you are a male over 40 years, a woman with menopause or a heavy smoker or someone undergoing nicotine replacement therapy.
Do inform your GP beforehand if you have any other medical complication or if you are taking other medicines.
There are some side effects associated with the use of Sumatriptan. However, not all patients experience these.
Some of the common side effects associated with the use of the medicine include: - Heaviness, pressure or tightness in the chest - Dizziness - Vomiting - Nausea - Drowsiness - Shortness of breath - Temporary increase in blood pressure - Aching muscles - Weakness - Hot flushes
These side effects tend to go away with time. However, contact the GP in case they persist for a longer duration.
In some cases, the tablet may lead to allergic reactions such as skin rashes, itchy rashes, swelling of face, eyelids or lips or difficulty in breathing (wheezing). If you report these symptoms soon after taking the tablet, do not take any more doses and inform the GP.
Sensations of numbness, tingling, warmth or cold may also erupt in some cases. These are generally intense in nature but go away quickly. If they don’t and turn severe, immediately consult your GP or hospital for medical help.
If you report any other discomfort which has not been mentioned here, you must immediately contact your GP or pharmacist and seek medical help.
Always take the medicine in the dosage prescribed by the GP. Do not modify the dose by yourself. Consult the GP or pharmacist in case of any doubts.
Sumatriptan is strictly meant for adults over 17 years and elderly below 65 years of age.
Take the medicine after the headache starts. Swallow the tablet with a glass of water. Do not chew, crush or break the medicine into two before consumption.
You should always keep in mind that Sumatriptan works after a migraine attack. Therefore, you should not use it as a preventive remedy.
The usual dose for adults is 50 mg in the event of a migraine attack. However, some patients may be prescribed to take 100 mg.
In case of patients with liver impairment, a GP may prescribe a dose of 50 mg.
Talk to your GP or pharmacist in case you feel that the dosage is too strong or too weak for you. However, do not increase or decrease the dosage by yourself.
If your symptoms do not fade after taking one dose, do not take another dose for the same attack. Take Sumatriptan in case of a subsequent attack.
If the symptoms return after they are initially reduced, you can go for a second or third dose. But, you must wait for at least 2 hours between the doses.
Do not take a double dose to compensate for a missed dose. In case of overdose, contact your nearest medical centre or pharmacist as soon as possible.
Under any circumstances, do not take more than 300 mg of Sumatriptan in a day.
Sumatriptan helps treat a headache that occurs in the case of a migraine attack. Sumatriptan belongs to a group of medicines called triptanes and contains an active ingredient called sumatriptan succinate.
Triptanes are anti-inflammatory in nature and are specifically used for the treatment of migraine and the associated headache. During a migraine headache, the blood vessels of the head temporarily widen. This results in extreme pain and may even cause nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound.
The chief active ingredient, sumatriptan succinate, being a triptane, works by reducing the blood vessels to their normal breadth. That is, it helps reduce the widening of the blood vessels and thus the associated symptoms and the pain is relieved.
Sumatriptan succinate activates the receptors present in the arteries and veins of the cranium (the part of the brain enclosing the brain). As soon as these receptors are activated, they impact the dilated arteries, causing them to constrict and return back to their normal shape.
Some medicines might interfere with the working of Sumatriptan or may cause adverse reaction. Therefore, you must tell the GP if you are taking drugs such as argotamine for the treatment of migraine, other triptans, specific serotonin inhibitors or a monoamine oxidase inhibitor for the treatment of depression or herbal remedied containing St John's Wort.
