Sumatriptan Tablets

About sumatriptan

Key points

• Fast-acting migraine medication 
• Works in 30-60 minutes  
• Contains active ingredient sumatriptan

Buy sumatriptan online

You can buy sumatriptan online from our UK registered pharmacy. You will be required to answer a few questions about your health, to ensure that treatment is suitable for you.  

What is sumatriptan used for?  

Sumatriptan is a migraine and cluster headache treatment. It offers migraine relief and helps to alleviate symptoms such as pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound.
 

How does sumatriptan work?  

Sumatriptan tablets work by acting on serotonin (5HT) receptors in the brain, causing the blood vessels to narrow. This prevents signals from being sent, stopping migraines. 

Sumatriptan has also been shown to decrease the activity of the trigeminal nerve, which is responsible for carrying pain pulses from your head to your central nervous system.
 

How long does sumatriptan take to work?  

Sumatriptan tablets usually take around 30-60 minutes to work. Sumatriptan nasal spray is faster acting, taking around 15 minutes to work.

Sumatriptan dose

The recommended starting dosage for sumatriptan is 50mg and you can take another tablet after 2 hours if the migraine returns.  

Sumatriptan 100mg is only used when sumatriptan 50mg tablets have provided limited relief. 

The maximum dosage of sumatriptan is 300mg within a 24 hour period. You should not take more than this. An overdose can result in feeling weak or fainting, reduced heart rate, feeling sick, loss of bowel and bladder control, and fatigue.  

In more serious cases, taking too much sumatriptan can narrow blood vessels to a degree which causes heart problems including chest pain, an abnormal heart rhythm, and even a heart attack.

Sumatriptan side effects

Like all medication, there may be side effects with sumatriptan. Not everyone will experience them. Common side effects of sumatriptan tablets include: 

• Lack of energy 
• Dizziness 
• Drowsiness 
• Feeling strange or not yourself 
• Shortness of breath 
• Flushing 
• Muscle ache 
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Skin reactions 
• Feeling hot or cold 

It is unlikely that healthy adults will experience any long-term side effects from sumatriptan. 

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should call 999 or seek urgent medical attention: 

• You develop a skin rash 
• Wheezing 
• Tightness in the throat or chest 
• Trouble talking or breathing 
• Your face begins to swell (including your mouth, lips, tongue, or throat) 

You should read the patient information leaflet for a full list of side effects. 

How long do sumatriptan side effects last?  

Sumatriptan side effects vary depending on the individual circumstances and not everyone experiences them. For those who do, dizziness, chest pain and drowsiness usually resolve within a few hours.  Other side effects such as nausea, tingling, flushing and fatigue typically stop within a few hours to days after taking the medication. You should seek urgent medical advice if you experience prolonged or severe symptoms, as these could indicate a serious reaction.

Sumatriptan warnings

You should avoid taking sumatriptan if you have:  

• Narrowing of the arteries (ischæmic heart disease) 
• Angina 
• History of a heart attack 
• Circulation problems in your legs 
• History of stroke  
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure 
• Liver disease 
• History of brain hemorrhage or similar issues that affect your brain 

You should let your doctor or pharmacist know if you have certain risk factors or fall into the high-risk category, which include: 

• Smokers (or using nicotine replacement therapy) 
• Males over 40 
• Women going through menopause or women who have been through menopause 
• You have any risk factors that predispose you to heart disease 

They can determine whether it is safe for you to take sumatriptan by assessing whether the benefits outweigh the risks involved. This is because sumatriptan can affect your heart, and certain conditions can increase the chances of complications.

Sumatriptan and pregnancy

Although not thought to be harmful, there is not enough information about the safety profile of taking sumatriptan while pregnant. If you are pregnant and wish to take sumatriptan, you should speak to your doctor. 

Sumatriptan and breastfeeding

Sumatriptan is present in breastmilk, but the amount is thought to be too small to be harmful. You should speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you wish to take sumatriptan tablets whilst breastfeeding. If it is safe to do so, you should stop breastfeeding for 12 hours after taking a tablet.

Sumatriptan interactions

There are certain drugs that you cannot take with sumatriptan tablets, due to possible interactions; for example: 

• Ergotamine or its derivatives (for migraine)  
• Alternative migraine tablets belonging to the same class of drug 
• Antidepressant medications used to treat depression and mood disorders 
• SSRIs and SNRIs used for depression  
• St John’s Wort or herbal remedies containing St. John’s Wort

You should always let your doctor or pharmacist know if you are taking other medication, herbal products or dietary supplements so that they can check for interactions with sumatriptan tablets.
 

Sumatriptan and ibuprofen

There are no listed interactions between sumatriptan and ibuprofen, and they are safe to take together.
 

Sumatriptan and paracetamol 

There is no listed interaction between sumatriptan and paracetamol, and they are safe to take together.
 

Sumatriptan and sertraline 

Taking sumatriptan tablets together with sertraline, increases the chances of a rare but serious side effect, known as serotonin syndrome.
 

Sumatriptan and amitriptyline 

There is a risk of serotonin syndrome when sumatriptan is taken together with amitriptyline.
 

Sumatriptan and propranolol 

There is no listed interaction in the BNF between sumatriptan and propranolol. Used as a preventative therapy for migraines, propranolol is thought to slow the rate at which sumatriptan leaves the body, which can increase the risk of side effects. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to inform you whether you can take the two together.
 

Sumatriptan and alcohol 

Whilst alcohol does not have a direct impact on sumatriptan, you should avoid alcohol if you are experiencing a migraine. It can exacerbate symptoms of a migraine attack.

Sumatriptan alternatives

There are several triptans available. Triptan is the class of drug sumatriptan belongs to, used for the acute treatment of migraines. 

These migraine treatments work in a similar way to relieve migraine symptoms; however, they offer slightly different side effects, duration and dosage. Sumatriptan alternatives include: 

• Zolmitriptan 
• Rizatriptan 
• Imigran 
• Zomig

How to prevent migraines

You should not use sumatriptan tablets to try to prevent an attack – only use it after your migraine symptoms start.  

There are things you can do to try and prevent a migraine: 

• Avoid your migraine triggers, such as certain foods 
• Stay well hydrated  
• Limit caffeine and alcohol 
• Maintain a healthy weight 
• Eat meals at regular times 
• Exercise regularly  
• Get good quality sleep 
• Reduce and manage stress

Sumatriptan ingredients

Active ingredient: Sumatriptan succinate 

Inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, crosscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate 

Sources

NHS, 2024. Migraine: Treatment. [online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/migraine/treatment/ [Accessed 15 May 2024].