14,684 Patient reviews
Sumatriptan is a prescription medication used for migraine relief. It belongs to a class of medicines known as triptans and contains the active ingredient sumatriptan succinate.
This medication is used to relieve symptoms of migraine headaches and should be taken at the onset of an attack. It is not used to prevent migraines.
Generic Sumatriptan was patented in 1982 and first approved for use as a migraine medication in 1991. It was the first triptan ever discovered. Sumatriptan is available to buy from euroClinix in tablet form or as a nasal spray.
Yes, Imigran is just the branded version of Sumatriptan. Both contain the same active ingredient and work through the same mechanism of action, making them medically equivalent.
Generic Sumatriptan and Imigran do differ, however, in price, manufacturer, and the name on the packaging. Imigran is also available as a nasal spray.
Like other triptans, sumatriptan is a selective serotonin receptor agonist. These medicines bind to serotonin receptors and narrow blood vessels in the brain which are thought to widen during a migraine headache. This helps to:
Sumatriptan is a well-tolerated and effective treatment for migraine relief. The benefits of this medicine include:
Sumatriptan may not be suitable for everyone. Complete the online questionnaire at euroClinix for a doctor's review, or consult with your own doctor to determine the best treatment for you.
Sumatriptan is prescribed for the treatment of migraine symptoms at the onset of an attack. To get a prescription, you need to be:
Sumatriptan is typically prescribed to those who experience severe pain. Only those who have completed an online consultation and have been approved by one of our doctors can be prescribed Sumatriptan.
You cannot take sumatriptan if you have:
Some conditions could make Sumatriptan unsuitable for you, and these need to be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Our online consultation will determine if Sumatriptan is appropriate based on your health information. Inform our doctors if you have:
Here are some tips to remember when taking oral sumatriptan:
These tips will help you use Sumatriptan safely and effectively. For further information on how to take your medication, consult the patient information leaflet included with your order.
The first 3 bullet points above apply for both oral Sumatriptan and nasal Sumatriptan, however, there are some more things to keep in mind if using the spray. See the following section for further information about the spray and instructions on how to use it.
Instructions for use | |
---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
Your nose may feel wet and you may experience a strange taste in your mouth after administering the spray. This is normal, and will quickly go away.
You should only take sumatriptan when you feel symptoms of a migraine.
Follow these instructions when taking Sumatriptan:
The dosage instructions are the same for a sumatriptan nasal spray as they are for tablets. Only in this case, each dose is 1 spray instead of 1 tablet.
You should start to feel the effects of this medication around 30 minutes after you take it.
The effects are most strongly felt 2-4 hours after ingestion. It takes 10 hours for your body to be completely clear of sumatriptan, so it is important not to take more than your doctor has told you to.
The nasal spray works faster. After using it, you should feel the effects within 15 minutes. However, the effects will not last as long this way.
Sumatriptan dosage | Details | When to take |
---|---|---|
50mg tablet | Starting dose to be taken when symptoms appear | When symptoms appear |
100mg tablet | Stronger dose if 50mg in ineffective | |
20mg nasal spray | If tablets are unsuitable or you prefer to use a spray |
Keep in mind that this is the general dosage, and yours may differ. Always take your medicine exactly as your doctor has prescribed.
If you take more Sumatriptan than you should, immediately seek medical help.
Taking more sumatriptan than intended can increase the occurrence and severity of side effects, and if a lot is taken at one time, can lead to an overdose. If you do not seek medical help after an overdose, the consequences can be fatal.
Clinical trials have found sumatriptan to be a safe and effective migraine medication.
An analysis of three clinical trials found sumatriptan to be almost twice as effective as a placebo at treating symptoms of a migraine like headaches and sensitivity to light. This rate of effectiveness increased further when a 100mg dose was taken as opposed to a 50mg dose.
Efficacy of sumatriptan in clinical trials
Percentage of patients who were pain-free 2 hours after taking sumatriptan
Patients taking 50mg of sumatriptan
Patients taking 100mg of sumatriptan
Patients taking a placebo
As with all medicines, Sumatriptan can cause side effects.
|
|
|
|
If you experience an allergic reaction from Sumatriptan, you must stop using it and see a doctor immediately.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:
For a full list of sumatriptan side effects, refer to the included with your medication.
Yes, Sumatriptan can interact with certain medications and supplements. Inform your doctor if you are taking or plan to take any of the following:
Type | Examples | What they’re used for | Interaction |
---|---|---|---|
Ergotamine and similar | Ergotamine | Treating migraines | Increases risk of serious heart problems |
MAOIs (antidepressants) | Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine | Treating depression | Raises sumatriptan levels, slows serotonin breakdown |
SSRIs/SNRIs (antidepressants) | Fluoxetine, Sertraline (SSRIs); Venlafaxine, Duloxetine (SNRIs) | Treating depression and anxiety | Increases risk of serotonin syndrome* |
Mood stabilisers | Lithium | Treating bipolar disorder | Increases risk of serotonin syndrome* |
Herbal Supplements | St John’s Wort | Treating depression | Causes side effects, increases risk of serotonin syndrome* |
*Watch for signs of serotonin syndrome, such as rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, agitation, hallucinations, and coordination problems. Seek medical help immediately if you experience these symptoms.
It is important that your doctor is aware of any medications you are taking before they prescribe sumatriptan. You must inform them of all medications, even those not on this list, during your consultation.
As well as medical interactions, there are some other safety precautions that must be taken when using Sumatriptan.
Category | Status | Advice |
---|---|---|
Alcohol | Caution | There aren't any known interactions between sumatriptan and alcohol. However, drinking alcohol may cause headaches or trigger a migraine for some people. |
Pregnancy | Consult your doctor | It is not known whether this medicine is harmful to an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant, or planning to get pregnant. |
Breastfeeding | Avoid | This medicine can pass into breast milk. Breastfeeding should be avoided for 24 hours after treatment. |
Driving | Caution | You may feel sleepy or dizzy while taking this medicine. If this happens, do not drive or use any tools or machines. |
Hydration | Important | Drinking plenty of water will allow your body to function properly and may alleviate symptoms of a migraine. |
While Sumatriptan is effective for treating migraines, making some lifestyle changes can help reduce the severity and frequency of migraine attacks:
Sumatriptan tablets do not require any particular storage instructions, but there are some general guidelines you need to follow:
The guidelines above also apply to the nasal spray. However, there are some more things to keep in mind. To safely store your sumatriptan nasal spray, also follow these instructions:
Do not throw away this medicine via wastewater or household waste. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Take any unused medicine to your local pharmacy for safe disposal.
No, you cannot buy Sumatriptan over the counter. To purchase Sumatriptan, you must have a prescription from a registered doctor. This is done to ensure that a doctor can assess your condition and determine if this medicine is suitable for you.
Ordering Sumatriptan through euroClinix is simple and secure. Follow these steps:
euroClinix offers ongoing support for any questions. Privacy and security are guaranteed through compliance with the relevant regulatory standards and the use of encrypted transactions.
euroClinix is a trusted online clinic that offers services in several European countries. All consultations and prescriptions are handled by our UK-registered doctors.
The process is convenient with online consultations and discreet home delivery. Our friendly customer service team is always happy to assist with any questions related to our services.
The euroClinix platform is user-friendly for managing prescriptions and reorders securely.
Choosing euroClinix ensures a trusted, professional, and supportive service to treat your migraine. Start your journey with euroClinix today and experience our expert care.
If sumatriptan doesn’t work for you, another triptan may be a suitable alternative. Our doctors at euroClinix can prescribe alternative treatment if needed.
Sumatriptan can also be taken as a subcutaneous injection, however, this is not offered by euroClinix.
The most effective method of treatment will depend on multiple factors, so it is difficult to make a definitive statement on which one is better. However, there are some differences between the two that can make it easier to decide which treatment to use.
In general, nasal sprays are faster-acting since they don't have to travel through your digestive system, but they don’t last as long as oral treatments. Your decision should be informed by what you’re most comfortable with. And remember, you can always switch treatments if your initial choice is ineffective.
Note: You must complete a short online consultation so that our doctor can ensure that the treatment is suitable for you. The above pricing should only be used as a reference. The final decision to issue this treatment lies with the prescribing doctor.
Type of medicine | Triptan (migraine drug) |
Used for | Treating migraine attacks |
Active ingredient(s) | Sumatriptan succinate |
Works by | Narrowing blood vessels in the brain, reducing migraine symptoms |
Effective within | 2 hours of intake |
Suitable for | Adults over 18 years old who suffer from migraines |
Available as | Tablets and nasal spray |
Available strength(s) | 50mg and 100mg (tablets), 20mg (nasal spray) |
Usage | Taken at the onset of migraine symptoms |
Packaging | Blister packs/ nasal spray |
Manufacturer | Various |
Is this generic? | Yes |
Storage | Store below 30°C and away from direct heat and moisture |
Prescription required? | Yes, get it with our free online consultation |
Select
medication
Fill out a short
medical form
Doctor issues
prescription
Medication sent
from pharmacy