Sumatriptan is used to treat migraine headaches (severe throbbing or pulsating sensation usually affecting one side of the head and is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound).
It helps relieve pain and other symptoms of a migraine attack.
Take Sumatriptan exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
Sumatriptan is available as a conventional tablet or a fast-disintegrating tablet.
Swallow the conventional tablet whole with a full glass of water.
If you have difficulty swallowing tablet(s), you may disperse the fast-disintegrating tablet in a small amount of water, stir and drink immediately.
Take this medicine only when you have a migraine attack.
Sumatriptan should be taken as soon as you feel a migraine coming on. If you responded well to the first dose but your symptoms start to come back or if your migraine does not go away after taking the first dose, do not take a second dose without first asking your doctor. If your doctor says that you can take a second dose, wait for at least 2 hours from the time you took the first dose before taking the second dose.
Inform your doctor if this medicine does not give you any relief.
The dose of Sumatriptan will be decided by your doctor.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart problems e.g. chest pain, history of heart attack
- heart rhythm disorders e.g. irregular or abnormal heartbeat
- history of stroke
- moderate to severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure
- peripheral vascular disease (narrowing or blockage of arteries outside of the heart and brain causing poor circulation of blood to the arms and legs)
- certain types of headache known as hemiplegic, basilar or ophthalmoplegic migraines
- severe liver disease
as Sumatriptan may not be suitable for you.
Do not take this medicine if you are currently taking or have taken a medicine that is used to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within 14 days of stopping the MAOI.
Do not take Sumatriptan with other medicines for migraine, such as ergotamine, methysergide, zolmitriptan and naratriptan, or if you have taken these medicines in the last 24 hours.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- diabetes
- controlled high blood pressure
- family history of heart disease
- high cholesterol levels in the blood
- with or a history of epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- previous allergic reactions to sulfonamides (certain type of antibiotics)
- mild to moderate liver disease
- kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have gone through menopause.
Notify your doctor if you smoke or a chain smoker.
Sumatriptan should not be taken to prevent or reduce the number of migraine attacks.
Your doctor may need to do a medical examination and various tests before starting you on this medicine.
If you have an increased risk of heart disease, your doctor may advise you to take your first dose of Sumatriptan in the clinic so that he can monitor your response. You will also be required to have regular heart check-ups while being treated with this medicine.
Sumatriptan is not a painkiller. Do not take this medicine for any other purpose other than to relieve a migraine.
Sumatriptan may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
Other side effects include any of the following: nausea, vomiting, tiredness, feeling weak, flushing, and muscle pain.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- tightness, pain, pressure or heaviness in the chest area, throat, jaw or neck, irregular heartbeat
- agitation, confusion, hallucinations (seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not existent), fever, fast heartbeat, muscle stiffness
- pain, weakness, numbness or tingling sensation in the legs and feet
- severe or sudden stomach pain, bloody diarrhoea
- fits or seizures
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes, mouth or throat
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Sumatriptan with other medicines for migraine, such as naratriptan, zolmitriptan, ergotamine, methysergide and dihydroergotamine, or if you have taken these medicines in the last 24 hours.
Do not take this medicine if you are currently taking or have taken a medicine that is used to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine within 14 days of stopping the MAOI.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- medicines to treat depression e.g. citalopram, fluoxetine, venlafaxine, duloxetine
- St. John's wort (herbal medicine)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Sumatriptan.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Certain types of food and food additives such as chocolate, cheese, coffee and monosodium glutamate (MSG) may trigger a migraine attack. You may want to keep a food diary to help you identify possible foods that trigger off your migraine attacks.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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