Sumatriptan

(soo ma trip' tan)

Brand Name(s): Imitrex^® Tablets, Treximet^® (as a combination product containing naproxen, sumatriptan); also available generically

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Sumatriptan is used to treat the symptoms of migraine headaches (severe, throbbing headaches that sometimes come with nausea or a strong reaction to sound and light). Sumatriptan is in a class of medications called selective serotonin receptor agonists. It works by narrowing blood vessels in the head, stopping pain signals from being sent to the brain, and stops the release of certain natural substances that cause pain, nausea, and other symptoms of migraines. Sumatriptan does not stop migraine attacks from coming or reduce the number of headaches you have.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Sumatriptan comes as a tablet to take by mouth. Take at the first sign of a migraine headache. If your symptoms improve after you take sumatriptan but return after 2 hours or longer, you may take a second tablet. However, if your symptoms do not improve after you take sumatriptan, do not take a second tablet without calling your doctor. Your doctor will tell you the maximum number of tablets you may take in a 24-hour period. Take sumatriptan exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Call your doctor if your headaches do not get better or occur more often after taking sumatriptan.

If you take sumatriptan more often or for longer than the recommended period of time, your headaches may get worse or may occur more often. You should not take sumatriptan or any other headache medication for more than 10 days per month. Call your doctor if you need to take sumatriptan to treat more than 4 headaches in a 1-month period.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before taking sumatriptan,

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to this medication, any part of this medication, or any other medications, foods or substances. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and what symptoms you had.

• do not take sumatriptan if you have taken any of the following medications in the past 24 hours: other selective serotonin receptor agonists such as almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, or zolmitriptan; or ergot-type medications such as bromocriptine, cabergoline, dihydroergotamine, ergoloid mesylates, ergonovine, ergotamine, methylergonovine, methysergide, and pergolide.

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the following medications or have stopped taking them within the past 2 weeks: monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

  some medications should not be taken with sumatriptan. Make sure you have discussed any medications you are currently taking or plan to take before starting sumatriptan with your doctor and pharmacist. Before starting, stopping, or changing any medications while taking sumatriptan, please get the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.

• tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the following medications or have stopped taking them within the past two weeks: monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitors such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine.

• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart disease; a heart attack; angina (chest pain); irregular heartbeats; stroke or 'mini-stroke'; or circulation problems such as varicose veins, blood clots in the legs, Raynaud's disease (problems with blood flow to the fingers, toes, ears, and nose), or ischemic bowel disease (bloody diarrhea and stomach pain caused by decreased blood flow to the intestines). Your doctor may tell you not to take sumatriptan.

• tell your doctor if you smoke or are overweight; if you have or have ever had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, seizures, or liver or kidney disease; if you have gone through menopause; or if any family members have or have ever had heart disease or stroke.

• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you plan to be sexually active while you are using this medication, talk to your doctor about effective methods of birth control. If you become pregnant while taking sumatriptan, call your doctor.

• you should know that this medication may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Sumatriptan may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• flushing
• tingling feeling
• feeling warm or cold
• drowsiness, tiredness, weakness, dizziness
• upset stomach, diarrhea
• nausea
• muscle cramps

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

• pain, tightness, pressure, or heaviness in the chest, throat, neck, and/or jaw
• slow or difficult speech
• faintness
• breaking out in a cold sweat
• shortness of breath
• weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
• bloody diarrhea
• vomiting
• sudden or severe stomach pain
• sudden weight loss
• paleness or blue color of the fingers and toes
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• redness, swelling, or itching of the eyes, face, lips, or throat
• rash, hives
• change in vision
• seizures

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about STORAGE and DISPOSAL of this medication?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Dispose of unneeded medications in a way so that pets, children, and other people cannot take them. Do not flush this medication down the toilet. Use a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist about take-back programs in your community. Visit the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website https://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for more information.

Keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant. Always lock safety caps. Place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. https://www.upandaway.org

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly.

You should keep a headache diary by writing down when you have headaches and when you take sumatriptan.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines, vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements you are taking. Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. You should carry the list with you in case of emergencies.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS^® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2025. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists^®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: June 15, 2025.