See also How to Use section.
Before using Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan), tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other triptan drugs (e.g., zolmitriptan, rizatriptan); or to sulfa drugs; or if you have any other allergies.
Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) should not be taken if you have certain medical conditions. Before using Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan), consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have a history of: heart disease (e.g., chest pain, heart attack), decreased blood flow in the brain (e.g., stroke, transient ischemic attack), blood circulation disease (e.g., ischemic bowel disease), uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension), certain types of headaches (hemiplegic or basilar migraine), liver disease.
Before using Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan), tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: certain blood circulation disorders (e.g., Raynaud's disease), seizures.
Tell your doctor if you have the following risk factors for heart disease: diabetes, family history of heart disease, high blood pressure (controlled), high cholesterol, overweight, smoker, female after menopause, male over age 40.
If you are at high risk for heart disease, your doctor may want to check your heart before prescribing Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan).
Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages.
The risk of heart disease, liver disease, and high blood pressure increases with age. The manufacturer does not recommend the use of Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) in the elderly since they may be more sensitive to the side effects, including an increase in blood pressure.
Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) should be taken only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Store at room temperature between 36 and 86 degrees F (2-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet available from your pharmacist before you start using Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) and each time you get a refill. Learn all preparation and usage instructions in the product package. If any of the information is unclear, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
The usual dose is one spray in only one nostril at the first sign of a migraine, or as directed by your doctor. If there is no improvement in your symptoms, do not take any more doses of Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) before talking to your doctor. If your symptoms are only partly relieved, or if your headache comes back, you may use a second dose after two hours, or as directed by your doctor. Do not use more than 40 milligrams in a 24-hour period. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
If you have never taken Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) before and you have risk factors for heart disease (see Precautions), you may need to be monitored for rare but serious side effects (e.g., chest pain) when you take the first dose. Your doctor may ask you to take the first dose in the office.
Your dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve or worsens.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Irritation/numbness/tingling of the nose/throat or a bad taste in the mouth may occur with the nasal spray form of Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan). Flushing, sensations of tingling/numbness/prickling/heat, weakness, drowsiness, or dizziness may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) do not have serious side effects.
Chest/jaw/neck tightness can commonly occur shortly after using Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan). Only rarely are these signs of a serious condition. However, you may not be able to tell it apart from a serious reaction related to a lack of blood flow to the heart, brain or other parts of the body. Seek immediate medical attention if any of these unlikely but very serious (rarely fatal) side effects occur: 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.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: blue fingers/toes/nails, cold sensation of hands/feet, hearing changes, mental/mood changes, seizures.
Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) may rarely cause a very serious condition called serotonin syndrome. The risk increases when Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) is taken with certain other drugs such as other "triptans" used to treat migraine headaches (e.g., rizatriptan, zolmitriptan), certain antidepressants including SSRIs (e.g., citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine) and NSRIs (e.g., duloxetine, venlafaxine), or a certain drug to treat obesity (sibutramine). Before taking Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan), tell your doctor if you take any of these medications. Serotonin syndrome may be more likely when you start or increase the dose of any of these medications. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop some of the following symptoms: hallucinations, unusual restlessness, loss of coordination, fast heartbeat, severe dizziness, high fever, severe nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, twitchy muscles.
A serious allergic reaction to Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, 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.
Click HERE to learn more about Imitrex Nasal Spray side effects.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Take Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) only as needed when a migraine occurs, as directed by your doctor. Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) is not taken on a regular schedule. Never increase your dose of Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
See also Side Effects section.
Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) should not be taken with the following medication because very serious interactions may occur: a certain weight loss drug (sibutramine).
Do not take Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) if you are taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) or have used MAO inhibitors in the past 2 weeks. In some cases a serious, possibly fatal, drug interaction may occur.
If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan).
Before using Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan), tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: certain types of antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs such as fluoxetine/paroxetine/sertraline, NSRIs such as venlafaxine).
If you also take any ergotamine medication (e.g., dihydroergotamine or methysergide) or any other "triptan" drugs (e.g., zolmitriptan, rizatriptan), you will need to separate your Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) dose from your dose of these other medications in order to lessen the chance of serious side effects. Ask your doctor how long you should wait between your doses of these drugs.
Also report the use of drugs which might increase seizure risk (decrease seizure threshold) when combined with Imitrex Nasal Spray (sumatriptan) such as isoniazid (INH), phenothiazines (e.g., thioridazine), theophylline, or tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline) among others. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.