Imigran Tablets

About Imigran tablets

Key points

• Treats symptoms of migraine 
• Works in just 30 minutes 
• Contains the active ingredient sumatriptan 

Buy Imigran online

Buy Imigran tablets today from our reputable UK online pharmacy. This medicine is available to purchase as an oral tablet or as a fast-acting nasal spray. 

What is Imigran? 

Imigran is an effective migraine treatment, containing the active ingredient sumatriptan. It is also commonly used as a cluster headache treatment. Imigran belongs to the triptan class of medication and is used to relieve acute migraine attacks rather than to prevent them. 

How does Imigran work? 

The exact cause of a migraine is unknown, but it’s widely thought that a migraine is caused by irregular brain activity that temporarily affects nerve signals, blood vessels, and chemicals in the brain.  

Imigran can help to relieve migraines by narrowing the blood vessels in your brain and preventing the release of natural chemicals that cause pain and other symptoms associated with migraines.

How long does Imigran take to work? 

Imigran tablets take between 30 minutes to an hour to work.

You should take a tablet as soon as your migraine starts.

How to take Imigran tablets 

Imigran tablets are taken orally with or without food when cluster headache or signs of migraines first appear. They should not be taken at the ‘warning stage’ that can happen prior to a migraine, usually when people experience aura symptoms such as tingling, numbness, dizziness, and vision issues.  

Imigran tablets are swallowed whole with water. The tablets shouldn’t be crushed or chewed.

When pain medication or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have proven ineffective, Imigran can be prescribed as an alternative treatment. It can also be used together with over the counter pain relief such as paracetamol and ibuprofen

Imigran dosage instructions

Take one tablet at the onset of migraine. Take a second tablet after 2 hours, if the migraine returns. Do not take a second tablet for the same migraine attack.

Imigran side effects

Common (up to 10% of users) 

In the chest, throat or other parts of the body: 

• Pain, heaviness, pressure, or tightness 
• Unusual sensations, including numbness
• Tingling and warmth or cold 

These effects may be intense but usually pass quickly. You should seek urgent medical help if they do not stop or increase in severity. In a very small number of people these symptoms can be the result of a heart attack. 

Other common side effects: 

• Nausea or vomiting 
• Fatigue or feeling drowsy 
• Dizziness or feeling weak 
• Hot flushes 
• Shortness of breath 
• Muscles aches 
• Temporary increase in blood pressure 

Imigran long term side effects 

According to research, using sumatriptan (Imigran) over the long term “does not cause serious adverse events”. Over the two-year study period, none of the patients who were monitored as part of the research required the discontinuation of sumatriptan.

Imigran warnings

Before using Imigran tablets for migraine, you must inform your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following apply to you: 

• Heavy smoker or using nicotine replacement therapy 
• Man aged over 40 
• Woman who has been through the menopause 
• History of seizures 
• History of high blood pressure  
• History of liver or kidney disease 
• Allergy to antibiotics called sulphonamides 
• Taking anti-depressants called SSRIs 
• Use Imigran frequently 
• Have pain or tightness in your chest after you use Imigran

Imigran and pregnancy

Whilst there are no studies that show negative effects of Imigran on the human foetus, if you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or become pregnant while taking Imigran, you should still talk to your doctor about whether the drug is suitable for you. Ultimately, the benefits must outweigh the risks involved. 

Imigran and breastfeeding

Women should not breastfeed within 12 hours of having used Imigran. Imigran may be present in breastmilk.

Imigran interactions

Imigran may interact with other medicines, therefore it’s important to tell your doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking, have recently taken or might take any other medication. This includes:  

• Any herbal products  
• Medicines purchased without a prescription 
• Other migraines belonging to the triptan class
• Ergotamine
• Certain medication used to treat depression
• St John’s Wort

St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) 

Herbal remedies containing St John’s Wort may make side effects from Imigran more likely.
 

Imigran and alcohol 

Alcohol does not impact how Imigran works. But if you are experiencing a migraine or cluster headache, avoid drinking alcohol.   

Alcohol can activate symptoms of migraines and cluster headaches, and can also make symptoms worse. Drinking alcohol while taking Imigran could accentuate side effects such as feeling dizzy, feeling drowsy, or nausea.

Imigran alternatives

Imigran vs Zomig 

• Zomig is the UK brand name for the migraine relief drug zolmitriptan
• Imigran (sumatriptan) and Zomig (zolmitriptan) both belong to the triptan family of drugs, which are typically used to treat migraines and cluster headaches
• They both work by stimulating the serotonin (5HT) receptors in the brain, reversing the process of blood vessel widening that can cause a migraine, and alleviating pain
• There are no significant differences between the way that Imigran and Zomig work. Some people will find that one medication is more effective than the other in treating their migraines
• Both are available in tablet form and nasal spray. Zomig comes in 2.5mg and 5mg oro-dispersible tablets (these are tablets made with super disintegrants that dissolve in the mouth and are swallowed easily)

To find out more about Zomig tablets, take a look at our Zomig tablets reviews or Zomig nasal spray reviews pages. 

Imigran vs Sumatriptan

• Both contain the same active ingredient sumatriptan succinate
• The only difference is in the price. Sumatriptan is a non-branded version and therefore, the cost-effective option

How to prevent migraines

Making lifestyle and medication changes can help to prevent a migraine. They can be triggered by several factors therefore keeping a headache diary to track patterns can be beneficial in understanding how to help migraines. To prevent a migraine, you should: 

• Maintain a regular sleep pattern  
• Manage stress levels  
• Exercise regularly  
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration  
• Keep your diet free of migraine trigger foods such as aged cheese, processed meats, chocolate and alcohol

Imigran ingredients

Active ingredient: sumatriptan  

Inactive ingredients: calcium hydrogen phosphate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, hypromellose (E464), titanium dioxide (E171) and glycerol triacetate. The 50 mg tablet also contains iron oxide, red (E172). 

Sources

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