Generic name: Sumatriptan Tablets [ soo-ma-TRIP-tan ]
Brand name: Imitrex
Drug class: Antimigraine agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 28, 2024.

Uses of Sumatriptan Tablets:

• It is used to treat migraine headaches.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Sumatriptan Tablets?

• If you have an allergy to sumatriptan succinate or any other part of this medicine (sumatriptan tablets).
• If you are allergic to this medicine (sumatriptan tablets); any part of this medicine (sumatriptan tablets); or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have any of these health problems: High blood pressure or some types of migraine headaches like hemiplegic or basilar migraine.
• If you have ever had any of these health problems: Chest pain or pressure; diseased arteries going to the legs or arms; heart attack; heart disease; poor blood flow in the heart, brain, bowel, or kidney; stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA); or a heartbeat that is not normal like Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
• If you have liver disease.
• If you have taken certain drugs for depression or Parkinson's disease in the last 14 days. This includes isocarboxazid, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, selegiline, or rasagiline. Very high blood pressure may happen.
• If you are taking another drug that has the same drug in it.
• If you have taken almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, or zolmitriptan in the last 24 hours.
• If you have taken ergotamine, methysergide, dihydroergotamine, or any drug like them in the last 24 hours.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine (sumatriptan tablets).

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this medicine (sumatriptan tablets) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Sumatriptan Tablets?

For all patients taking this medicine (sumatriptan tablets):

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine (sumatriptan tablets). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this medicine (sumatriptan tablets) affects you.
• High blood pressure has happened with this medicine (sumatriptan tablets). Have your blood pressure checked as you have been told by your doctor.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly allergic side effects have rarely happened. Talk with your doctor.
• This medicine is not meant to prevent or lower the number of migraine headaches you get.
• If you have a headache that is not like your usual migraine headaches, talk with your doctor before you take this medicine (sumatriptan tablets).
• Taking more of this medicine (sumatriptan tablets) (a higher dose, more often) than your doctor told you to take may cause your headaches to become worse.
• Use care if you have risks for heart disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight, high blood sugar or diabetes, cigarette smoking, man older than 40 years of age, other family members with early heart disease, woman after change of life). Talk with your doctor.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly heart problems like heart attack and a heartbeat that is not normal have rarely happened within a few hours of taking this medicine (sumatriptan tablets). Call your doctor right away if you have chest, throat, neck, or jaw tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness; break out in a cold sweat; shortness of breath; a fast heartbeat; a heartbeat that does not feel normal; or very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Very bad and sometimes deadly brain blood vessel problems like stroke have rarely happened with this medicine (sumatriptan tablets). Call your doctor right away if you have weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, drooping on 1 side of the face, or change in eyesight.
• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine (sumatriptan tablets) with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

Children:

• This medicine is not approved for use in children. However, the doctor may decide the benefits of taking this medicine (sumatriptan tablets) outweigh the risks. If your child has been given this medicine (sumatriptan tablets), ask the doctor for information about the benefits and risks. Talk with the doctor if you have questions about giving this medicine (sumatriptan tablets) to your child.

How is this medicine (Sumatriptan Tablets) best taken?

Use this medicine (sumatriptan tablets) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• If your headache comes back after the first dose, another dose may be used as your doctor has told you. Be sure you know how many hours to space each dose. This includes if other forms of this medicine (sumatriptan tablets) were used for the first dose.
• Take with or without food.
• Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• Take with liquids as early as you can after the attack has started.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• This medicine is taken on an as needed basis. Do not take more often than told by the doctor.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
• Seizures.
• Loss of eyesight. This can be long-lasting.
• Very bad headache or if headache is not better after the first dose.
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
• Change in color of skin to a bluish color like on the lips, nail beds, fingers, or toes.
• Diarrhea or constipation.
• Severe stomach pain or bloody diarrhea.
• Belly pain after meals.
• Fever.
• Weight loss.
• Cramps and pain in legs or hips.
• Feeling of heaviness or tightness in the leg muscles.
• Feeling cold.
• Burning or aching pain in the feet or toes.
• A severe and sometimes deadly problem called serotonin syndrome may happen. The risk may be greater if you also take certain other drugs. Call your doctor right away if you have agitation; change in balance; confusion; hallucinations; fever; fast or abnormal heartbeat; flushing; muscle twitching or stiffness; seizures; shivering or shaking; sweating a lot; severe diarrhea, upset stomach, or throwing up; or very bad headache.

Related/similar drugs

What are some other side effects of Sumatriptan Tablets?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
• Flushing.
• Feeling of warmth.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Sumatriptan Tablets?

• Store at room temperature. Do not refrigerate or freeze.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Protect from light.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this medicine (sumatriptan tablets), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Frequently asked questions

• What are the new drugs for the treatment of migraine?
• How often can you take Imitrex (sumatriptan)?
• Ubrelvy vs Imitrex (sumatriptan): How do they compare?
• How long does Imitrex (sumatriptan) take to work?
• Why does Imitrex (sumatriptan) make me feel weird?
• Can Imitrex (sumatriptan) cause rebound headaches?
• What are the brands of sumatriptan?
• How do you use Onzetra Xsail?

View more FAQ

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer