Imitrex

Imitrex Drug Information

• Imitrex Overview

  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.

• How to Use Imitrex

  Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking sumatriptan and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take Imitrex by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, at the first sign of a migraine. The Dosage of Imitrex is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. If there is no improvement in your symptoms, do not take more doses of Imitrex before talking to your doctor. If your symptoms are only partly relieved, or if your headache comes back, you may take another dose at least two hours after the first dose. Do not take more than 200 milligrams in a 24-hour period. Imitrex may also be used as a backup for sumatriptan injection. If your symptoms are only partly relieved or your headache comes back, you may take a dose of sumatriptan by mouth at least two hours after the injection, up to a maximum of 100 milligrams in a 24-hour period. If you have a higher risk for heart problems (see Precautions), your doctor may perform a heart exam before you start taking sumatriptan. He/she may also direct you to take your first dose of Imitrex in the office/clinic to monitor for serious side effects (such as chest pain). Talk to your doctor for details. If you are using drugs for migraine attacks on 10 or more days each month, the drugs may actually make your headaches worse (medication overuse headache). Do not use medications more often or for longer than directed. Tell your doctor if you need to use Imitrex more often, or if the medication is not working as well, or if your headaches get worse.

• Imitrex Precautions

  Before using sumatriptan, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. Imitrex may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using Imitrex, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history,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,high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, family history of heart disease, overweight, smoker, postmenopausal (women), age more than 40 years (men). Imitrex may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). 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 Imitrex, especially increased blood pressure and heart problems. During pregnancy, Imitrex should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Imitrex passes into breast milk in small amounts. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

• Imitrex Misdose

  Not applicable. (See How to Use section.)

• Imitrex Interactions

  Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Taking MAO inhibitors with Imitrex may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Do not take any MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with Imitrex. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with Imitrex. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking Imitrex. The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin. Examples include street drugs such as MDMA/"ecstasy," St. John's wort, certain antidepressants (including SSRIs such as fluoxetine/paroxetine, SNRIs such as duloxetine/venlafaxine), among others. The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity may be more likely when you start or increase the dose of these drugs. If you also take any ergotamine medication (such as dihydroergotamine) or other "triptan" drugs (such as zolmitriptan, rizatriptan), you will need to separate your sumatriptan dose from your dose of these other medications to lessen the chance of serious side effects. Ask your doctor how long you should wait between your doses of these drugs.

• Imitrex Side Effects

  What are Imitrex side effects?

  Side effects are physical, mental or emotional symptoms which occur in addition to or outside of the desired effect of a therapeutic treatment such as an over-the-counter or prescribed drug or medication. Side effects from Imitrex may occur at the beginning or at the end of treatment and may also depend on the length of time an individual remains on the treatment. Side effects, also known as adverse effects, are generally more likely to occur when starting treatment. Individuals may also experience side effects from Imitrex as a result of an interaction with other medications.

  Side Effects of Imitrex

  The side effects of Imitrex may vary in number and intensity for many different reasons. Factors such as age, weight, gender and ethnicity may influence the side effects of Imitrex. Also, an individual’s state of general physical health and seriousness of the disease or illness as well as an increase or decrease in dosage may lead to side effects. Further, side effects from Imitrex may also occur as a result of an interaction with certain herbal supplements, foods or drinks.

  Prescription drug side effects can be serious and may cause patients to stop the treatment. However, when side effects from the use of a prescription drug, such as Imitrex, do occur a patient should consult their physician. A physician may prescribe an additional treatment in order to control the symptoms or an adjustment in the dosage may be made. In addition, changes to diet, exercise or other lifestyle activities may help to lessen the side effects of Imitrex.

  By understanding side effects and the factors which may influence the occurrence of side effects patients are empowered to take an active role in their care. Patients who have specific questions about the side effects of Imitrex, or any other medication, should contact their physician. General information about Imitrex and the side effects associated with Imitrex are described in the following:

  Common Imitrex Side Effects

  Severe

  Less Severe

  • nasal passage irritation
  • dizziness
  • dysgeusia
  • paresthesia
  • flushing
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • sensation of warmth
  • injection site sequelae
  • vertigo
  • Stinging of Skin
  • hypesthesia

  Less Frequent Imitrex Side Effects

  Severe

  Less Severe

  • drowsy

  Rare or Very Rare Imitrex Side Effects

  Severe

  • acute myocardial infarction
  • coronary artery spasm
  • myocardial ischemia
  • ventricular tachycardia
  • ventricular fibrillation
  • ischemic bowel disease
  • neck stiffness
  • seizure disorder
  • chest pain
  • chest tightness
  • dysphagia
  • Anaphylaxis
  • serotonin syndrome
  • vision loss
  • abdominal pain with cramps
  • splenic infarction
  • hypersensitivity drug reaction
  • hypertension
  • Raynaud's phenomenon
  • peripheral ischemia
  • intracerebral hemorrhage
  • cerebrovascular accident
  • subarachnoid intracranial hemorrhage
  • angioedema
  • hypotension
  • Acquired Dystonia

  Less Severe

  • symptoms of anxiety
  • visual changes
  • nasal pain
  • jaw pain
  • mouth irritation
  • sore tongue
  • muscle rigidity
  • myalgias
  • cramps
  • fatigue
  • Sinusitis
  • muscle weakness
  • medication overuse headache
  • palpitations
  • tremor

• Imitrex Storage

  Different brands of Imitrex have different storage needs. Check the product package for instructions on how to store your brand, or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard Imitrex when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.