General Information and Indications:
Sumatriptan is used to relieve migraine
headache symptoms. However, it will not prevent migraine headaches or reduce
the number of attacks you have.
Information For Users:
Sumatriptan comes as a tablet to take by mouth and
a nasal spray. It should be used at the first sign of a migraine headache.
If you are at risk for heart disease and you have never taken sumatriptan
before, you may need to take the first dose in your doctor's office. Usually
only one dose is needed. If pain is not relieved with the first dose, your
doctor may prescribe a second dose to be taken after at least 2 hours. Do
not take more than 200mg of the tablets or 40 mg of the nasal spray in any
24-hour period. Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your
doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take sumatriptan exactly as
directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than
prescribed by your health care provider.
Take the tablet with plenty of water or other fluids.
To use the nasal spray, follow the package directions or ask or your doctor
or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.
Special
precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to sumatriptan or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem),
fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), and vitamins.
If you have taken an MAO inhibitor [phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate)]
during the past 2 weeks, do not take sumatriptan. If you have taken another
medication for migraine headaches such as dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45,
Migranal), methysergide (Sansert), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt,
Maxalt-MLT), or zolmitriptan (Zomig) during the past 24 hours, do not take
sumatriptan.
o Inform your doctor if you smoke, if you have a strong family history of
heart disease, if you are postmenopausal, or if you are a man over 40. Also
inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding high blood pressure; angina
(recurring chest pain); a heart attack; diabetes; high cholesterol; obesity;
stroke; transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke); ischemic bowel disease;
coronary artery disease; seizures; or blood vessel, kidney, or liver
disease.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking sumatriptan, call your
doctor.
o you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or
operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
o remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Though adverse effects of sumatriptan are not
common, they could occur. Inform your doctor if any of the following
symptoms are severe or do not go away:
o flushing
o tingling feeling
o feeling of warmth or heaviness
o drowsiness
o dizziness
o upset stomach
o diarrhea
o vomiting
o irritation of the nose
o muscle cramps
If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:
o pain or tightness in chest or throat
o sudden or severe stomach pain
o fast heartbeat
o difficulty breathing
o wheezing
o redness, swelling, or itching of the eyelids, face, or lips
o skin rash, lumps, or hives (Urticaria)
o change in vision
Brand Name(s):
o Imitrex® |
