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What is Sumatriptan?
Sumitriptan is a medication used to treat migraine headaches, and sometimes cluster headaches. It works to improve the symptoms but doesn't prevent migraines from happening.
The active ingredient in sumatriptan tablets is sumatriptan succinate. Sumatriptan works to narrow the blood vessels in the brain, helping to reduce the increased blood flow that may be contributing to the migraine. It may also affect how nerves interpret pain. Let's discuss how this medication works in more detail.
How Does Sumatriptan Work?
Sumatriptan belongs to a class of medicines called triptans. In fact, it was the first one licensed for use to treat migraines. These medications work by altering the blood flow to your brain, and how your brain interprets pain.
Triptans work differently to painkillers. They stimulate the brain's serotonin receptors that are found on nerves and blood vessels, making the brain think serotonin levels are high. There are various theories about why this helps with migraines.
Originally, it was thought that by binding the serotonin receptors, triptans caused blood vessels to narrow (which is helpful, as they are widened during a migraine attack).
However, more recent studies suggest this might not be accurate. It's likely that triptans actually improve migraine symptoms by reducing pain signals being transmitted by the nerves.
A cluster headache involves a similar type of pain to migraines, and there's evidence that triptans may be used to treat these types of headaches too.
Sumatriptan Vs Other Triptans
Sumatriptan is available without a prescription, although you have to have been diagnosed with migraines to buy it. Although sumatriptan, is broken down faster by the body than other triptans, it seems to work similarly as effectively.
Who Can Take Sumatriptan Tablets?
This medication is licensed to treat individuals with either an acute migraine headache or cluster headache. Sumatriptan is not licensed for migraine relief in the elderly or children.
Who Shouldn't Take Sumatriptan?
As triptans cause all blood vessels to narrow, this can lead to issues in other areas of the body. People with medical conditions affecting their circulation shouldn't take triptans, including:
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Peripheral vascular disease
Previous stroke or mini-stroke (transient ischaemic attack)
Previous heart attack or angina
Triptans, including sumatriptan, may not be suitable for people with a history of seizures, liver disease, kidney failure, or women who are pregnant. It's important to discuss the medication with a healthcare professional to see if it's suitable for you.
How to Take Sumatriptan 100mg Tablets
Dosage instructions
The dose of sumatriptan depends on the way you're taking it. For tablets, the standard dose is 50-100mg when the pain starts, followed by another dose after 2 hours if needed.
Sumatriptan is available as a nasal spray and injection. If taken by injection, 3-6mg is given under the skin. For sumatriptan nasal spray, one spray is usually 10mg and a dose of 10-20mg is given.
Timing and frequency
It's important not to take sumatriptan too early to treat migraine headaches. If taken during the aura phase (where someone experiences sensory changes before the headache starts), sumatriptan is ineffective and may possibly make symptoms worse. Make sure to wait until the headache starts before you take the first dose.
If you find that taking the sumatriptan tablet helped, you can take a second tablet after 2 hours, up to a maximum dose of 300mg per day. If the first tablet didn't help, it's unlikely additional doses will, so there's no need to take another dose for the same attack.
Taking sumatriptan tablets too often can lead to medication overuse headaches, so it's best not to take them every day. If you're experiencing recurrent migraine attacks, see your doctor for advice.
Administration tips
Sumatriptan tablets should be swallowed whole with water. Don't crush or chew them, but you can break them in half along the score line if you're struggling to swallow them. Not all sumatriptan tablets can be broken, so read the drug information leaflet to be sure.
You can take the tablets with food, and there aren't any foods that are known to interact with sumatriptan.
As sumatriptan is only taken as needed, you don't need to worry about missing a dose. However, if you take too much sumatriptan it's important to contact your doctor immediately. Large amounts of sumatriptan can reduce your heart rate, make you sleepy, and even be fatal.
Possible Side Effects of Sumatriptan
Common side effects
As with any medication, sumatriptan comes with side effects. The most common ones that happen in 1-10% of people include:
Nausea and vomiting
Flushing
Muscle pain
A skin rash
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Difficulty breathing (which can be serious and requires medical attention)
Serious side effects
Allergic reactions are rare but can be very serious. Throat/face swelling, difficulty breathing, wheezing, and loss of consciousness are all signs of anaphylaxis. In this situation, call 999 immediately.
For other more serious symptoms, such as chest pain, heart palpitations, tremors, or seizures, seek medical attention by calling 111 or 999 if it's an emergency.
Managing side effects
If you're feeling sick or being sick, make sure to stay hydrated. When you can manage it, try to eat plain food, like rice or crackers, little and often.
For dizziness, make sure to avoid driving or operating machinery. It may help to lie down and rest.
If you are bothered by any side effects of sumatriptan, speak to a healthcare professional to see if you can switch to an alternative medication.
How to Buy Sumatriptan Tablets Online
Benefits of buying from Quick Meds
Buy sumatriptan online from Quick Meds. Your medication can be ordered quickly and conveniently from the comfort of your home. After a few checks, the parcel will be delivered securely straight to your door.
As a General Pharmaceutical Council-accredited pharmacy, you know that you're purchasing your medication from a legitimate pharmacy. Our suppliers are accredited by the MHRA, meaning all the medication we sell is produced to the highest safety standards.
How to place an order
Looking to purchase sumatriptan? Our team of prescribers is available for a remote consultation at the click of a button. We'll check that the medication is safe and likely to be effective for you before approving the order and sending it straight to your door.
Additional Information
Sumatriptan and Breastfeeding
You may be worried about whether sumatriptan is safe to take when breastfeeding. Small amounts of sumatriptan are found in breast milk, so the drug may be passed on to babies. Whilst there's no evidence that it's unsafe, it's recommended to wait 12 hours after your last dose to breastfeed.
Storage Instructions
Sumatriptan doesn't need to be stored in any special way. Keep it in a secure place, out of the reach of children, and make sure you don't use the medication after it expires. The shelf life is typically 4 years.
Patient Information Leaflet
A patient information leaflet comes in every box of sumatriptan tablets. It contains what you need to know before taking the medication, how to take it, and more. Make sure to read the information and keep the leaflet safe to refer back to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know
Can I take sumatriptan during pregnancy?+−
There's no evidence that sumatriptan tablets can cause harm during pregnancy, but there is limited data in this area. Official medical advice is to avoid sumatriptan during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks.
How quickly does sumatriptan work?+−
That depends on how you take the medication. Tablets take from 30-60 minutes to work, whilst the injection takes 10-15 minutes. When using sumatriptan as a nasal spray, it should start to work after 15 minutes.
Can Sumatriptan prevent migraines?+−
Sumatriptan isn't a preventative medication and it can't prevent migraines. It does nothing to reduce the likelihood of experiencing a migraine attack, but it can be an effective migraine treatment when you're experiencing symptoms.
Can I take sumatriptan whilst breastfeeding?+−
Small amounts of sumatriptan can pass into the breast milk. It's unlikely that low levels of the drug can cause harm to the baby, but it's best to avoid breastfeeding for 12 hours after the last dose of sumatriptan.
Do you gain/lose weight on sumatriptan tablets?+−
Neither weight gain nor weight loss are listed in the drug packaging as official side effects. However, it's possible some people may lose or gain weight when taking sumatriptan. If you're worried about side effects, speak to a health professional.
Is it safe to take Sumatriptan with other medications?+−
Certain anti-depressants, painkillers, anti-sickness medications, and Parkinson's Disease medications, interact with sumatriptan. Whilst other medicines may well be safe to take with sumatriptan, it's important to discuss your medical history with a healthcare professional first.
What are the ingredients in Sumatriptan 100mg tablets?+−
Sumatriptan 100mg contains 100mg of the active ingredient sumatriptan succinate, and may also contain some inactive bulking ingredients that make the tablets easier to take.
What not to do while taking sumatriptan tablets?+−
Some other migraine treatments or antidepressants should not be taken alongside sumatriptan, so it's important to discuss your medications with a healthcare professional before starting sumatriptan.
You shouldn't drink alcohol whilst taking this medication, as it may make your migraine worse. However, alcohol doesn't affect how the drug works.
Sumatriptan should not be taken with the herbal remedy St John's Wort, as this can increase the risk of a serious condition called serotonin syndrome.
If you experience any dizziness when taking sumatriptan tablets, it's important not to drive your car or operate any machinery.
What should I do if I experience side effects?+−
Most of the common side effects of sumatriptan, like nausea, vomiting, and dizziness, tend to improve with time. The NHS has some tips on how to deal with these side effects, but if they continue to bother you, speak to your doctor.
If someone taking sumatriptan becomes unresponsive, experiences a swollen face/throat, is having trouble breathing, or suddenly becomes very confused, call 999.
