Imitrex Oral Tablets/Injections/Nasal Spray

Imitrex is a medicine that is used to treat acute migraine headaches in adults. The common generic name is Sumatriptan. The medication is in the class of drugs called Antimigraine agents.

Imitrex is available in different dosage forms, including oral and nasal powders/sprays and injections.

What is Imitrex Used For?

Imitex is mainly used to treat migraines with or without aura. A doctor may prescribe the drug for other purposes, such as cluster headaches—uncommon types of headaches characterized by a series of short but extremely painful headaches. The experience can happen daily for weeks or months.

Please ask your physician if you’re unsure why Imitex is prescribed.

How Imitrex Works? (Mechanism of Action)

Imitrex is a triptan medication (an Antimigraine agent) with a structure similar to the serotonin neurotransmitter. It is an agonist at receptors 5-HT1B, 5-HT1F, and 5-HT1D, which cause blood vessels to narrow and reduce headache symptoms. It inhibits the (CGRP)—Calcitonin gene-related peptide, which mitigates the inflammation of migraines.

Imitrex also reduces the activity of the trigeminal nerve, thereby reducing the frequency and severity of cluster headaches. The injectable form of the drug has a rapid effect on cluster headaches and has therapeutic effects within 30 minutes.

How To Take Imitrex? (Dosage and Administration)

Use Imitrex immediately when you notice a headache. Use the medication precisely as directed. Ask your healthcare provider if you don’t understand any of those instructions.

Do not crush or split the Imitrex tablet—take it whole with a full glass of water. After using Imitrex, if your headache doesn’t disappear or go away and then return, use a second dose. Do this only if it has been at least two (2) hours since your first dose.

Never take more than 200 mL of oral Imitrex within 24 hours. Do not use more than 40 ml of Imitrex nasal spray within 24 hours. Call your physician if symptoms do not improve. Or, if you have more than four (4) headaches in 30 days (one month).

Adult Dosage Form

  • Oral (Tablet): 25mg, 50mg, 100mg once taken daily directly
  • Maximum Oral Dose: 200 mg in 24 hours
  • Intranasal (Nasal Spray Forms): 5mg, 10mg, 20mg spray into one nostril once daily
  • The 10mg nasal spray dosage can vary by 5 mg in each nostril.
  • Maximum Intranasal dose: 40mg in 24 hours.

Missed Dose/Overdose

Imitrex is taken when needed. Therefore, it doesn’t have a daily dosing schedule. Consult your physician if your symptoms don’t seem to improve after using medication.

Seek emergency medical help if you overdose on Imitex. Overdose symptoms may include skin redness, tremors, loss of coordination, vision problems, seizures, or blue-colored fingernails or lips.

Possible Side Effects of Imitrex

Common side effects of Imitrex may include:

  • Tight feeling or pain in your chest, jaw, or throat
  • Heavy feeling or pressure in any part of the body
  • Tingling or numbness, feeling cold or hot
  • Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness
  • Unpleasant or unusual taste in your mouth following the use of the nasal medicine
  • Stuffy or runny nose after using the nasal medicine

Seek emergency assistance if you experience worsening symptoms that include:

  • Serious stomachache and bloody diarrhea
  • Signs of allergic reaction to Imitrex—difficulty breathing, hives, swelling of your lips, face, throat, or tongue.
  • Shortness of breath, severe chest pain, irregular heartbeats
  • Blurred vision
  • A Seizure
  • Pounding in your ears or neck
  • Signs of stroke include sudden numbness, slurred speech, and issues with balance or vision.
  • High serotonin levels in the body — hallucinations, agitation, fever, shivering, sweating, muscle stiffness, fast heart rate, loss of coordination, twitching, vomiting, diarrhea

The aforementioned is not a full list of Imitrex side effects. Others may occur. Please consult your doctor if you have any side effects that are not listed here.

Precautions and Warnings Before Taking Imitrex

Let your physician know if you have allergies to Imitrex, Sumatriptan, or compounds in the drug. Tell the healthcare provider if you have a history of any of the following:

  • Coronary Heart Disease
  • Ischemic Heart Disease
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Heart Attack
  • Stroke
  • Kidney Disease
  • Liver Disease
  • Epilepsy or other kinds of Seizures
  • Palpitation/Tachycardia/Bradycardia

The use of Imitrex during pregnancy and its side effects on the fetus are still unclear. However, if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy soon, consult your doctor so they can advise you accordingly.

Possible Imitrex Interactions with Other Drugs

Imitex may interact with other medicines that you may be using. The interaction can lead to worsened side effects. Tell your physician if you also use:

  • Medicine for Parkinson’s disease
  • Medicine for severe infections
  • Herbal products
  • Medicine to treat a psychiatric disorder or depression
  • Opioid medicine; or
  • Stimulant medication
  • Medicine to avoid nausea and vomiting

The above is not a complete list of interactions. Other drugs and medicines, including prescription and OTC medicines and vitamins, may interact with Sumatriptan.

How to Store Imitrex

Store Imitrex at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture. Do not refrigerate or freeze this medicine. Keep the medication out of the reach of children and pets.