Imitrex Information and Uses

Imitrex

Imitrex Overview

Imitrex (generic: sumatriptan) is a prescription medication used to treat migraine headaches once they have started. Imitrex belongs to a group of drugs called serotonin receptor agonists or "triptans", which relieve pain by narrowing blood vessels around the brain.

This medication comes in tablet, nasal spray, and injectable forms and is taken at the first sign of a migraine headache.

Common side effects of Imitrex include tingling or numbness in fingers or toes, weakness, tiredness. Imitrex can cause drowsiness. Do not drive a car or operate machinery if you have these symptoms.

Uses of Imitrex

Imitrex is a prescription medication used to treat migraine headaches once they have started, with or without aura.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses.

Side Effects of Imitrex

Imitrex may cause serious side effects. See “Drug Precautions”.

These serious side effects include:

changes in color or sensation in your fingers and toes (Raynaud’s syndrome)
stomach and intestinal problems (gastrointestinal and colonic ischemic events). Symptoms of gastrointestinal and colonic ischemic events include:
- sudden or severe stomach pain
- stomach pain after meals
- weight loss
- nausea or vomiting
- constipation or diarrhea
- bloody diarrhea
- fever
problems with blood circulation to your legs and feet (peripheral vascular ischemia). Symptoms of peripheral vascular ischemia include:
- cramping and pain in your legs or hips
- feeling of heaviness or tightness in your leg muscles
- burning or aching pain in your feet or toes while resting
- numbness, tingling, or weakness in your legs
- cold feeling or color changes in 1 or both legs or feet
shortness of breath or wheezing
hives (itchy bumps); swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat

The most common side effects of Imitrex tablets include:

tingling or numbness in your fingers or toes
dizziness
warm, hot, burning feeling to your face (flushing)
feeling weak, drowsy, or tired

The most common side effects of Imitrex Nasal Spray include:

dizziness
warm, hot, burning feeling to your face (flushing)
discomfort of your neck, throat, or nose
unusual or bad taste in your mouth
feeling weak, drowsy, or tired
sensitivity to loud noises

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

These are not all the possible side effects of Imitrex. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Imitrex Interactions

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Imitrex and other medicines may affect each other, causing side effects.

Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take anti-depressant medicines called:

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are not sure.

Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider or pharmacist when you get a new medicine.

Imitrex Precautions

Imitrex can cause serious side effects, including:

Heart attack and other heart problems. Heart problems may lead to death.

Stop taking Imitrex and get emergency medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a heart attack:

discomfort in the center of your chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back
chest pain or chest discomfort that feels like heavy pressure, squeezing, or fullness
pain or discomfort in your arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach
shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
breaking out in a cold sweat
nausea or vomiting
feeling lightheaded

Imitrex is not for people with risk factors for heart disease unless a heart exam is done and shows no problem. You have a higher risk for heart disease if you:

have high blood pressure
have high cholesterol levels
smoke
are overweight
have diabetes
have a family history of heart disease
are a female who has gone through menopause
are a male over age 40

Serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is a serious and life-threatening problem that can happen in people taking Imitrex, especially if Imitrex is used with anti-depressant medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are not sure.

Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of serotonin syndrome:

mental changes such as seeing things that are not there (hallucinations), agitation, or coma
fast heartbeat
changes in blood pressure
high body temperature
tight muscles
trouble walking
nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

Do not take Imitrex if you have:

heart problems or a history of heart problems
narrowing of blood vessels to your legs, arms, stomach, or kidney (peripheral vascular disease)
uncontrolled high blood pressure
severe liver problems
hemiplegic migraines or basilar migraines. If you are not sure if you have these types of migraines, ask your healthcare provider.
had a stroke, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or problems with your blood circulation
taken any of the following medicines in the last 24 hours:
- almotriptan (Axert)
- eletriptan (Relpax)
- frovatriptan (Frova)
- naratriptan (Amerge)
- rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)
- sumatriptan and naproxen (Treximet)
- ergotamines (Cafergot, Ergomar, Migergot)
- dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal)

an allergy to sumatriptan or any of the ingredients in Imitrex.

Imitrex can cause dizziness, weakness, or drowsiness. If you have these symptoms, do not drive a car, use machinery, or do anything where you need to be alert.

Imitrex Food Interactions

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Imitrex there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Imitrex.

Inform MD

Before you take Imitrex, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

have high blood pressure
have high cholesterol
have diabetes
smoke
are overweight
are a female who has gone through menopause
have heart disease or a family history of heart disease or stroke
have kidney problems
have liver problems
have had epilepsy or seizures
are not using effective birth control
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
become pregnant while taking Imitrex
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Imitrex and Pregnancy

Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Imitrex will harm your unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you become pregnant while taking Imitrex.

Imitrex and Lactation

Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Imitrex passes into your breast milk and may harm your baby. Talk with your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you take Imitrex.

Imitrex Usage

Certain people should take their first dose of Imitrex in their healthcare provider’s office or in another medical setting. Ask your healthcare provider if you should take your first dose in a medical setting.
Take Imitrex exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it.
Your healthcare provider may change your dose. Do not change your dose without first talking to your healthcare provider.

Imitrex tablets:

Take Imitrex tablets with water or other liquids.
If you do not get any relief after your first Imitrex tablet, do not take a second tablet without first talking with your healthcare provider.
If your headache comes back or you only get some relief from your headache, you can take a second tablet 2 hours after the first tablet.
Do not take more than a total of 200 mg of Imitrex tablets in a 24‑hour period.
Some people who take too many Imitrex tablets may have worse headaches (medication overuse headache). If your headaches get worse, your healthcare provider may decide to stop your treatment with Imitrex.

Imitrex nasal spray:

Before using Imitrex Nasal Spray, read the Instructions for Use at the end of the Patient Information leaflet that comes with the medicine.

Certain people should take their first dose of Imitrex Nasal Spray in their healthcare provider’s office or in another medical setting. Ask your healthcare provider if you should take your first dose in a medical setting.
Use Imitrex Nasal Spray exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it.
Your healthcare provider may change your dose. Do not change your dose without first talking with your healthcare provider.
If you do not get any relief after your first nasal spray, do not use a second nasal spray without first talking with your healthcare provider.
If your headache comes back after the first nasal spray or you only get some relief from your headache, you can use a second nasal spray 2 hours after the first nasal spray.
Do not take more than a total of 40 mg of Imitrex Nasal Spray in a 24‑hour period.
It is not known how using Imitrex Nasal Spray for a long time affects the nose and throat.
Some people who use too much Imitrex Nasal Spray may have worse headaches (medication overuse headache). If your headaches get worse, your healthcare provider may decide to stop your treatment with Imitrex Nasal Spray.

If you take too much Imitrex, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

You should write down when you have headaches and when you take Imitrex so you can talk with your healthcare provider about how Imitrex is working for you.

Imitrex Dosage

Take Imitrex exactly as prescribed. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully. The maximum recommended daily dose of Imitrex tablets is 200 mg. The maximum recommended daily dose of Imitrex nasal spray is 40 mg.

Imitrex Overdose

If you take too much Imitrex, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Forms of Imitrex

Imitrex tablets are available in the following strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg.

Imitrex Nasal Spray 5 mg and 20 mg are each supplied in boxes of 6 nasal spray devices.

Active ingredient (tablets): sumatriptan succinate

Inactive ingredients (tablets): croscarmellose sodium, dibasic calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium bicarbonate

100‑mg tablets also contain hypromellose, iron oxide, titanium dioxide, and triacetin.

Active ingredient (Nasal Spray): sumatriptan

Inactive ingredients (Nasal Spray): monobasic potassium phosphate NF, anhydrous dibasic sodium phosphate USP, sulfuric acid NF, sodium hydroxide NF, and purified water USP.