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Sumatriptan is a migraine medication that’s designed to treat the pain of migraines as well as associated symptoms like nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. Sumatriptan is the generic version of Imigran, a specialist migraine medication. It acts in exactly the same way as the branded version, but is more affordable.
Sumatriptan is available in both 50mg and 100mg tablets. This lets you choose the strength of medication you need depending on the severity of your migraine. Sumatriptan acts quickly to stop migraines and can be used with other pain medications such as Paracetamol, Aspirin and Ibuprofen.
You can check the medication is right for you by completing a quick, confidential consultation. Our team will assess your health and lifestyle to help you find the best pain medication for your needs.
Sumatriptan belongs to a class of medicines known as serotonin receptor agonists, or triptans. Triptans work by stimulating serotonin receptors in your brain to ease the symptoms of migraines and cluster headaches.
Unlike other pain medications, Sumatriptan may also ease some of the symptoms associated with migraines, such as nausea and sensitivity to light and sound, as well as the headache itself.
Sumatriptan tablets contain either 50mg or 100mg of Sumatriptan Succinate, the active ingredient in the medication. Sumatriptan Succinate is also the active ingredient in Imigran, a branded migraine medication.
Both strengths of Sumatriptan are prescription-only, so you’ll need to complete a quick, discreet consultation with a member of our expert team before you can access the medication.
Scientists still don’t understand exactly what causes migraines. However, it’s thought that the pain, nausea and other symptoms may be due to the temporary widening of blood vessels in your brain.
Sumatriptan works by stimulating the serotonin receptors located on these blood vessels. This causes them to narrow and could relieve the symptoms of a migraine.
Sumatriptan may also stabilise some of the chemical changes that can occur in the brain during a migraine. This may help to further ease the symptoms of the attack.
The amount of Sumatriptan you need to take will depend on your health, lifestyle and a number of other factors. Always follow your clinician’s instructions when taking the medication.
Adults will normally be prescribed 25mg, 50mg or 100mg of Sumatriptan. To take your dose of Sumatriptan, simply swallow a tablet that contains the correct dose with a glass of water.
If your symptoms come back, or you only get partial relief from your migraine, you can take a further dose two hours after your first. Don’t take more than 200mg in a 24-hour period.
You can take Sumatriptan alongside Ibuprofen, Aspirin or Paracetamol to provide additional pain relief.
The active ingredient in each tablet of Sumatriptan is Sumatriptan Succinate.
Sumatriptan, like most medications, may cause some side effects. The most common are:
Tell your doctor if your symptoms don’t go away or are severe.
In rare cases, more serious side effects could include:
If you have any of these symptoms, speak to your doctor or seek medical attention straight away.
Read more about Sumatriptan side effects here.
Because Sumatriptan can cause blood vessels to temporarily contract, it’s not recommended for people who have had strokes or mini-strokes, or for those with poor circulation, a history of angina or a history of heart attacks.
The medication may also be unsuitable for older adults with kidney problems, blood vessel disease, high blood pressure or liver problems.
If you’re a heavy smoker, a man aged 40 or over, or a woman who has been through the menopause, check with your doctor before taking Sumatriptan. The medication can only be used for children when approved by a specialist.
Imigran is a branded medication that’s designed to treat migraines and cluster headaches. The active ingredient in Imigran is Sumatriptan Succinate.
Sumatriptan is the generic version of Imigran. This means that it contains exactly the same active ingredient and offers the same pain-relieving benefits as Imigran. However, because it’s not branded, Sumatriptan is often a lot cheaper.
Essentially, there is no difference between Imigran and Sumatriptan. Both are equally effective, and both contain Sumatriptan Succinate as the active ingredient.
Buying a generic medication instead of branded tablets may be a good option if you’re looking for pain relief that’s effective and affordable.
When you have a migraine, you want medication that’s going to get to work quickly. In general, Sumatriptan tablets start to relieve pain within 30 to 60 minutes.
If you’re still in pain after two hours, or if your symptoms return, you can take a further dose of Sumatriptan. However, it’s important you don’t take more than 200mg in any 24-hour period.
Sumatriptan is a powerful medication, and you need to be careful when combining it with other drugs. It’s important to tell your clinician about any prescription or non-prescription medications you take during your consultation so that they can be sure that Sumatriptan is the best option for you.
If you take any antidepressants, including SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) or MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) or take any other migraine medication, Sumatriptan may not be suitable. This is because combining these medications can result in a severe side effect called serotonin syndrome.
Sumatriptan is available in either 50mg or 100mg tablets. The difference between the tablets is the amount of Sumatriptan Succinate they contain.
During your consultation, your doctor will look at your health, lifestyle and other factors to decide which strength of Sumatriptan is most suitable for you. It’s important to stick to your doctor’s instructions as this will help to minimise side effects.
The number of Sumatriptan tablets you can take will depend on your prescription and your doctor’s advice. The maximum single dose of Sumatriptan is 100mg. If your pain doesn’t completely go away, or your symptoms return, you may be able to take a further dose of up to 100mg after two hours.
Don’t take more than 200mg of Sumatriptan per day. If your symptoms persist for a number of days, speak to a doctor about your treatment options.
You can eat and drink normally while taking Sumatriptan. However, if you’re experiencing a migraine or cluster headache attack, it’s a good idea to avoid alcohol. Drinking may make your symptoms worse and could make you feel dizzy, tired and confused. Alcohol can also trigger migraines in some people.
Sumatriptan isn’t suitable for everyone. During your consultation, it’s important that you tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:
It’s also important to tell your doctor if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to become pregnant.
Store Sumatriptan in a cool, dry place out of sight and reach of children. Check the packaging for the product’s expiry date and discard when the tablets are no longer in date.
Taking too much Sumatriptan can be dangerous and could result in serious side effects. In fact, it could even make your headaches worse.
Limiting the amount of Sumatriptan you can buy to three packs helps to prevent accidental overuse and allows doctors to monitor your progress when taking the medication.
Sumatriptan is a prescription-only medication. So, you’ll need to complete a quick, discreet consultation before you can buy Sumatriptan. This will give our medical team the opportunity to review your case and make sure Sumatriptan is the most suitable migraine treatment for you.
Once you have your prescription, you can buy Sumatriptan online at The Independent Pharmacy. You’ll be able to purchase a maximum of three packs at a time and can re-order the medication quickly and easily when you run out.
To learn more about our consultations, or any of the medications we offer, speak to a member of our team today.
Always consult with a licensed medical professional before starting any new treatment.
We think accessing healthcare should be easy. Whether we’re fulfilling NHS prescriptions or helping people find the right treatments, we aim to offer our customers dependable, economical and convenient access to medicines with a personal and discreet service.
Visit our Migraine page for treatments, advice and FAQs.
