GENERIC NAME: sumatriptan
BRAND NAME: Imitrex
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Sumatriptan is an antimigraine
medicine. Migraine headaches are believed to result from
dilatation of the
blood vessels in the head. Sumatriptan causes constriction of
the blood
vessels, thus relieving migraine headache. While it is very
effective in
relieving migraine, it does not prevent or reduce the number of
attacks of
migraine.
PRESCRIPTION: yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: no
PREPARATIONS: The medication can be administered
orally or by
injection. Tablets: (25mg, 50mg). Injection: (6mg).
STORAGE: Should be stored at room temperature, away
from heat and
light. Keep your medicine away from the reach of children.
PRESCRIBED FOR: Sumatriptan is used to relieve migraine
and its
associated nausea and light sensitivity. It does not prevent or
reduce the
number of attacks of migraine. It should not be used to treat
other types
of headaches.
DOSING: May be taken with or without food.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Sumatriptan is metabolized mainly by
the
liver and dosages may need to be reduced in patients with liver
dysfunction. Sumatriptan can cause elevation of blood pressure
and spasm
of the coronary arteries of the heart. Sumatriptan should be
avoided by
patients with coronary artery disease (patients with angina
pectoris and a
history of heart attacks), and by patients with poorly
controlled high
blood pressure. It is administered with caution to patients
with risk
factors for coronary artery disease ( high blood pressure,
diabetes,
elevated blood cholesterol, obesity, cigarette smoking, and
strong family
history of heart attacks). In some patients, the first dose of
sumatriptan
can be given in the physician's office to monitor any adverse
heart
events.
Sumatriptan should not be administered along with ergot type
migraine
medications, or with MAO inhibitors. Sumatriptan and ergotamine
together
can cause prolonged spasm of the blood vessels. Therefore, the
use of
these two medications should be separated by at least 24 hours.
Safe use
in children has not been
established.
Rarely, seizures after sumatriptan administration have been
reported in
patients with epilepsy.
PREGNANCY: Safe use
in pregnancy has not been
established.
NURSING MOTHERS: Safe use
in nursing mothers has not been
established.
SIDE EFFECTS: For many migraine sufferers sumatriptan,
appropriately used, has been a valuable and effective treatment
in
aborting attacks. Side effects are generally transient. Some
common side
effects include pain or tightness in the chest or throat,
tingling,
flushing, weakness, dizziness, abdominal discomfort, and
sweating. Rarely,
allergic reactions (even anaphylaxis) have been reported,
usually in
individuals who are highly allergic to multiple allergens.
Last Editorial Review: 12/31/1997
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
 |
 |
From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com  |
|
Back to Medications Index
Specialty RSS
Ask the Experts
