Generic Name: Sumatriptan Succinate
Brand Names: Imitrex
Available in injection, tablet and nasal spray form, Sumatriptan succinate or Imitrex is prescribed for the treatment of a migraine attack with or without the presence of an aura (visual disturbances, usually sensations of halos or flickering lights, which precede an attack). To relieve cluster headache (limited to one side of the head, and occur mainly in men, cluster headaches come on in waves) attacks, Imitrex Injection is used. Imitrex will not reduce the number of attacks but only cuts short headaches. Imitrex should not be used for certain unusual types of migraine.
Indications: Imitrex (Sumatriptan succinate) are indicated for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in adults and not intended for the prophylactic therapy of migraine or for use in the management of hemiplegic or basilar migraine.
The usual adult dose is one 25, 50, or 100 milligram tablet taken with water or other liquid. The most you should take at one time is 100 milligrams, and the most you should take in 1 day is 200 milligrams. Doses should be spaced at least 2 hours apart. If you have liver disease, you should not take more than 50 milligrams of Imitrex Tablets at one time.
The maximum single recommended adult dose is 6 milligrams injected under the skin. The maximum recommended dose that may be given within 24 hours is two 6 milligram injections taken at least 1 hour apart.
The recommended adult dose ranges from 5 to 20 milligrams taken when the attack begins and repeated once, if necessary, 2 hours later. Dosages are taken as a single spray in one nostril, but if a 10-milligram dose works best for you, you can take it as a 5-milligram spray in each nostril. Do not use more than 20 milligrams at a time, or take more than 40 milligrams a day.
Common side effects of Imitres are 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), warm/cold sensation.Person taking Imitrex for cluster headache may experience nausea, a "pins and needles" sensation, vomiting, or wheezing.
Check with your doctor before combining Imitrex with the following:
Drugs classified as MAO inhibitors, including the antidepressants Nardil and Parnate Ergot-containing drugs such as Cafergot and Ergostat
If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of Imitrex overdose may include bluish tinge to the skin, convulsions, dilated pupils, inactivity, lack of coordination, paralysis, redness in the arms and legs, skin changes at the site of injection, slow breathing, sluggishness and tremor. The elimination half-life of sumatriptan is approximately 2.5 hours, therefore monitoring of patients after overdose with Imitrex should continue for at least 12 hours or while symptoms or signs persist.
Imitrex should not be administered to patients with hemiplegic or basilar migraine. Imitrex should not be given to patients with history, symptoms, or signs of ischemic cardiac, cerebrovascular, or peripheral vascular syndromes. Also, patients with other significant underlying cardiovascular diseases should not take Imitrex.
The effects of Imitrex during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Imitrex does appear in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant.