Sumatriptan

Sumatriptan belongs to the ‘triptan’ class of medicines and contains the active ingredient ‘sumatriptan succinate’. It is classified as a serotonin (5-HT1) receptor agonist, as it selectively activates specific serotonin receptors in the brain. These receptors play an essential role in regulating the narrowing of blood vessels and the transmission of pain signals during a migraine.

By stimulating these receptors, Sumatriptan reduces the dilation of the blood vessels and inhibits the release of pain-inducing chemicals, such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). This mechanism helps alleviate migraine headaches and other associated symptoms, such as nausea and sensitivity to light.

Sumatriptan should not be used by individuals who:

• Are under 18 or over 65 years old
• Have experienced strokes, angina, heart attacks and/or hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Experience more than 10 migraine episodes per month
• Have underlying health conditions, such as heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, and/or liver or kidney issues
• Are allergic to the active ingredient in Sumatriptan (sumatriptan succinate) or any other ingredients in this treatment

Sumatriptan is available in 50mg and 100mg doses.

Sumatriptan 50mg is recommended for most individuals as a starting dose to assess tolerance to the active ingredient and gauge its effectiveness in treating symptoms. This dose is sufficient to relieve migraine symptoms in a majority of patients and is suitable for individuals who may be more sensitive to triptan medications and/or who experience milder migraines.

Sumatriptan 100mg is typically prescribed when the 50mg dose is insufficient to relieve severe migraine symptoms.

• It is recommended to take one Sumatriptan tablet with water as soon as you can after you begin to experience migraine symptoms, such as a headache or sensory disturbances.
• If symptoms persist, take a second Sumatriptan tablet at least 2 hours after you took the first Sumatriptan tablet.
• Do not take more than 300mg of Sumatriptan within a 24-hour period. This is equivalent to six tablets of Sumatriptan 50mg or three tablets of Sumatriptan 100mg.
• Do not take Sumatriptan without consulting a pharmacist or doctor.

Sumatriptan can take up to 45 minutes to take effect and has a half-life of approximately 2 hours. This means that the concentration of Sumatriptan in the body halves every 2 hours, reducing its effects on serotonin receptors and the constriction of blood vessels to treat migraines.

It is not recommended to take Sumatriptan with pain relief medication, unless it is explicitly advised by a pharmacist or GP. Taking Sumatriptan with pain relief treatments such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen can complicate the management of migraines and adversely affect the heart, liver or kidney in some individuals.

Always consult a pharmacist or GP before taking Sumatriptan or any type of pain relief medication.

It is not advisable to drink alcohol while taking Sumatriptan, as alcohol can intensify the drowsiness or dizziness some individuals may feel after taking Sumatriptan.

Imigran and Sumatriptan are medically identical as they both contain the same active ingredient, sumatriptan succinate. They are both classified as serotonin receptor (5-HT1) agonists which function identically and are equally effective at alleviating migraine symptoms such as headaches.

The only difference between the two treatments is the fact that Imigran is a branded treatment while Sumatriptan is a generic treatment that is available at a lower price.

For additional information, refer to our comprehensive guide on the differences between Imigran and Sumatriptan.

Sumatriptan is not available over the counter, however, it can be purchased from Pharmica after completing our quick online consultation.

The best alternative migraine treatments to Sumatriptan include:

• Rizatriptan - a migraine treatment containing 10mg of a selective serotonin (5-HT) receptor agonist known as ‘rizatriptan benzoate’. Rizatriptan primarily treats the headache phase of a migraine and is available as a generic treatment or as the branded treatment Maxalt. Rizatriptan and Maxalt are medically identical as they contain the same active ingredient and produce the same effects, with the only difference being the brand.
• Zolmitriptan - a migraine treatment containing 5mg of the active ingredient ‘zolmitriptan’. Zolmitriptan is a selective serotonin (5-HT) receptor agonist which activates the 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D serotonin receptors, causing blood vessel constriction and preventing the release of inflammatory substances in the body. Moreover, Zolmitriptan is converted into a substance called N-desmethyl zolmitriptan, which has an added effect on the 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors, further increasing the efficacy of this migraine treatment. Zolmitriptan is available as a generic treatment or as the branded treatment Zomig - both treatments are medically identical as they contain the same active ingredient and produce the same effects, with the only difference being the brand.

Always consult a pharmacist or GP before switching between migraine treatments to ensure the treatment is safe and suitable to the individual’s condition and medical history.

For additional information on migraine treatments, refer to the ‘treatments’ section in our detailed guide on Everything You Need to Know about Migraines.