Sumatriptan Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Sumatriptan Tablet (sumatriptan succinate) is a prescription antimigraine agent belonging to the triptan class. It is used to treat acute migraine headaches that have already started in adults and does not prevent migraines or reduce how many attacks occur. It works by acting on serotonin receptors to narrow swollen blood vessels and ease pain, nausea, and light or sound sensitivity. It is available in tablet, capsule, injection, and nasal spray forms.

What is Sumatriptan Tablet

Sumatriptan is a prescription medicine used to treat acute migraine headaches in adults. It only treats a migraine attack that has already started; it does not prevent migraines or reduce how many attacks you have.

Sumatriptan Tablet uses

• Treats acute migraine headaches with or without aura in adults
• Should only be used after a doctor has clearly diagnosed migraine headaches
• Not for common tension headaches or headaches that cause loss of movement on one side of the body

Benefits of Sumatriptan Tablet

• Can relieve migraine pain and make it mild or go away
• Can reduce migraine-related nausea, sensitivity to light, and sensitivity to sound
• Usually starts working within about 30 minutes

How Sumatriptan Tablet works

Sumatriptan activates serotonin receptors on blood vessels and nerves around the brain. This causes swollen blood vessels to narrow back to normal and reduces the release of substances that cause pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound, easing migraine symptoms.

Sumatriptan Tablet dosage

Take the tablet whole with a full glass of water; do not split, crush, or chew it, as it has a bitter taste. Take it as soon as you notice the first signs of a migraine, such as the headache starting or symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or light sensitivity beginning. If you take it later during the attack instead of right at the start, it may still work.

If the first dose does not relieve your migraine at all, do not take a second dose without talking to your doctor first. If the first dose helps but the headache comes back, a second dose may be taken, but only after waiting at least two hours.

Do not use within 24 hours before or after taking any other migraine medicine, including other triptans or ergotamine-type medicines. This medicine is not recommended for use in people under 18 or over 65 years old. Tell your doctor if your migraine lasts longer than 24 hours or if your usual pattern of migraine symptoms changes.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablets
• Capsules
• Injection
• Nasal spray

Side effects of Sumatriptan Tablet

Common

• Pain or tight feeling in the chest, throat, or jaw
• Pressure or heavy feeling in any part of the body
• Numbness or tingling, feeling hot or cold
• Dizziness, drowsiness, weakness or tiredness
• Unusual or unpleasant taste in the mouth (nasal spray)
• Pain, burning, numbness, or tingling in the nose or throat (nasal spray)
• Runny or stuffy nose (nasal spray)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Feeling faint or a change in blood pressure
• Shaking or tremors

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Sudden and severe stomach pain and bloody diarrhea
• Severe chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats
• A seizure (convulsions)
• Severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in the neck or ears
• Blood circulation problems in the legs or feet: cramps, tight or heavy feeling, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, burning pain, cold feeling, color changes, hip pain
• Heart attack symptoms: chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating
• High levels of serotonin in the body (serotonin syndrome): agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, vomiting, diarrhea
• Signs of a stroke: sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance
• Persistent purple discoloration and/or pain in the fingers, toes, ears, nose, or jaw in response to cold

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease, certain heart rhythm disorders, a history of heart attack or stroke, or blood circulation problems.
• Do not use this medicine if you have taken a certain type of antidepressant medicine (MAO inhibitor) in the last 14 days, as this can cause a dangerous drug interaction.
• Do not use sumatriptan within 24 hours before or after using another migraine medicine, including other triptans or ergot-type medicines.
• This medicine can cause serious heart problems, including heart attack, even in people with no known heart disease.
• Using this medicine with certain antidepressants can cause a serious and potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome.
• Using too much migraine medicine, including sumatriptan, on too many days can actually make headaches worse over time.
• This medicine is not approved for use in anyone younger than 18 years old, and is not recommended for people over 65.
• Seizures have happened in some people taking this medicine, including people with no past history of seizures.
• It is not known for certain whether this medicine can harm an unborn baby. Animal studies showed possible harm to the fetus. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, so they can weigh the benefits and risks.
• Sumatriptan can pass into breast milk. Avoid breastfeeding for 12 hours after taking a dose. If you pump milk during that time, throw it away instead of feeding it to your baby.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems before taking this medicine.
• This medicine should not be used if you have severe liver disease. If you have mild to moderate liver problems, your doctor may limit your dose.
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you drink alcohol.
• This medicine can cause dizziness, weakness, or drowsiness. Do not drive or use machinery until you know how the medicine affects you.

Storage

• Store the tablets in a place where the temperature stays below 25°C
• Keep your tablets in their blister pack until it is time to take them
• Store in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight; do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills
• Keep out of reach of children
• If you no longer need the medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal
• Do not use after the expiry date

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop the medicine and get emergency help if you have symptoms of a heart attack, such as chest discomfort lasting more than a few minutes, tightness or pressure in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw, shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea, or feeling lightheaded.
• Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as hallucinations, agitation, fast heartbeat, high body temperature, tight muscles, or trouble walking.
• Get medical help if you have sudden or severe stomach pain, or bloody diarrhea, which can be signs of a serious circulation problem in the gut.
• Seek medical attention if you think you may have taken too much of this medicine, even if you feel fine, since overdose can be serious.
• Call your doctor if your migraine symptoms do not improve, or if you get more than 4 headaches in one month.

Alternatives

• Rizatriptan
• Zolmitriptan
• Frovatriptan