Sumatriptan migraine tablets
"A highly effective treatment for migraine. Take one tablet when the pain starts, after you get the ‘aura’ visual symptoms."
What is Sumatriptan?
Sumatriptan is a highly effective migraine tablet. When taken together with over-the-counter pain relief, it’s the go-to treatment for a migraine.
How does it work?
Although we can’t say for sure, we think that migraines are caused by a widening (dilation) of your blood vessels. This creates swelling and pressure, leading to pain and other symptoms like seeing patterns, lights, and spots.
Sumatriptan restricts this blood vessel widening that could be causing the symptoms.
Another theory is that the cause of migraines could be an increase in certain chemicals in the brain. This generates confusing brain signals, leading to migraine symptoms.
Sumatriptan restricts the release of these brain chemicals, which can relieve the symptoms.
How to use Sumatriptan
When you feel your migraine headache beginning, take one tablet with water. Don’t take Sumatriptan while you’re getting the visual symptoms of migraine (aura). Let this stage pass first.
If your migraine has not responded to the initial dose a second dose should not be taken for the same attack.
Don’t take more than 300mg of Sumatriptan in 24 hours.
Treatment results
You should see an improvement in your migraine symptoms within two hours of taking Sumatriptan.
Side effects of Sumatriptan
As with all medications, some people may experience side effects when taking Sumatriptan. These include drowsiness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, muscle aches, shortness of breath and hot flushes.
Less common side effects include getting a pain or tightness in the chest. If your chest pain is severe and doesn’t pass quickly, seek medical help urgently. Rare but serious side effects can include severe allergic reactions, seizures, tremors, visual disturbances, and changes to liver function.
For full details of correct use and the possible side effects, see the Sumatriptan patient information leaflet. If you’re worried about side effects, contact us in your Patient Record.
Product features
Fast, effective treatment for migraine
You should get relief within around two hours
Ask your doctor about combining with paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin
What is Sumatriptan?
Sumatriptan is a highly effective migraine tablet. When taken together with over-the-counter pain relief, it’s the go-to treatment for a migraine.
How does it work?
Although we can’t say for sure, we think that migraines are caused by a widening (dilation) of your blood vessels. This creates swelling and pressure, leading to pain and other symptoms like seeing patterns, lights, and spots.
Sumatriptan restricts this blood vessel widening that could be causing the symptoms.
Another theory is that the cause of migraines could be an increase in certain chemicals in the brain. This generates confusing brain signals, leading to migraine symptoms.
Sumatriptan restricts the release of these brain chemicals, which can relieve the symptoms.
How to use Sumatriptan
When you feel your migraine headache beginning, take one tablet with water. Don’t take Sumatriptan while you’re getting the visual symptoms of migraine (aura). Let this stage pass first.
If your migraine has not responded to the initial dose a second dose should not be taken for the same attack.
Don’t take more than 300mg of Sumatriptan in 24 hours.
Treatment results
You should see an improvement in your migraine symptoms within two hours of taking Sumatriptan.
Side effects of Sumatriptan
As with all medications, some people may experience side effects when taking Sumatriptan. These include drowsiness, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, muscle aches, shortness of breath and hot flushes.
Less common side effects include getting a pain or tightness in the chest. If your chest pain is severe and doesn’t pass quickly, seek medical help urgently. Rare but serious side effects can include severe allergic reactions, seizures, tremors, visual disturbances, and changes to liver function.
For full details of correct use and the possible side effects, see the Sumatriptan patient information leaflet. If you’re worried about side effects, contact us in your Patient Record.
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Sumatriptan migraine tablets FAQs
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How long does Sumatriptan take to work?
The medication should start to work and improve your symptoms within around 30-60 minutes.
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How long does Sumatriptan last for?
You should take Sumatriptan as soon as you start to feel the pain of a migraine headache. If your migraine improves but then comes back, it’s okay to take another dose. This can be repeated at two-hour intervals.
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Sumatriptan tablet dosages
You can get Sumatriptan in 50mg and 100mg tablets. It’s usually recommended to start with the lower dose. If this doesn’t deal with the symptoms, your doctor may prescribe 100mg tablets.
Don’t use Sumatriptan every day or you can develop a headache from medication overuse. If your headache worsens significantly, or you start to get any unusual symptoms, speak to a doctor as soon as possible.
Important:
- Don’t take more than 300mg of Sumatriptan in 24 hours.
- Don’t mix Sumatriptan with any other ‘triptan’ medication to treat the same migraine attack.
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Where can I buy Sumatriptan?
You can get Sumatriptan on prescription or buy it over the counter in pharmacies.
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How to store Sumatriptan
Sumatriptan doesn’t need any special storage conditions, but you should keep it out of sight and reach of children.
Use the medicine before the last day of the month shown on the box after ‘EXP’.
Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer need. To help protect the environment, never dispose of any medicines down sinks or drains, or in household waste.
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Alternative treatments to Sumatriptan
There are other medications we can prescribe for your migraines after an assessment to work out what’s best for you. These include Rizatriptan or Vydura (rimegepant).
Your doctor can prescribe other pain relief and anti-sickness medicines to take alongside Sumatriptan. These include Metoclopramide 10mg, Migramax (aspirin 900mg plus metoclopramide 10mg), and Paramax (paracetamol 500mg plus metoclopramide 5mg).
Rizatriptan
Rizatriptan is a highly effective migraine treatment in a choice of tablet or melt. We recommend using over-the-counter pain relief and anti-sickness medicines alongside Rizatriptan.
Vydura (rimegepant)
Vydura is a dedicated medication used to relieve migraine attacks. If you get migraines regularly, Vydura can also be prescribed to help prevent them.
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Sumatriptan and other medication
For maximum relief, you may be able to take Sumatriptan with other treatments.
Can I take Sumatriptan with Paracetamol?
You should be able to take two 500mg Paracetamol tablets up to four times daily alongside Rizatriptan.
Can I take Sumatriptan with Ibuprofen?
While taking Sumatriptan you should be able to take two 400mg Ibuprofen tablets up to three times daily or aspirin 300-900mg up to four times daily. You may be able to take ibuprofen four times a day if your doctor recommends.
Anti-sickness
You should be able to take Buccastem M 3mg tablets up to two times daily alongside Rizatriptan. As you don't have to swallow the tablets, they’re particularly good if your migraine is making you vomit. They go under your tongue.
Never combine Sumatriptan with other medications without first speaking to your doctor.
