Sumatriptan

Migraine pain relief: Finding a solution that works for you

Migraines can be debilitating and extremely painful. The intense pain is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. Migraines are often so excruciating they can keep you away from your job, leading to lost wages and a backlog of work.

Migraine sufferers need to find a pain relief treatment that works for them that can help with the pain, interrupted schedule, and sickness. 

Unfortunately, there is no single migraine remedy that works the same for everyone. Many patients have experienced help from the prescription drug Sumatriptan. 

If you don't have time to renew your prescription for migraine treatments, you can order a private prescription for Sumatriptan online from Prescription Doctor. All you need to do is fill in our medical form for our online prescriber to review.

If your order is approved before 3 pm on a weekday, our pharmacy can dispatch your item the same day via next-day delivery.

What causes migraines?

Effectively treating migraines is difficult because the exact mechanism of migraines remains a mystery. A variety of conditions could be at work when a migraine occurs. 

At this stage of the research, medical professionals suspect migraines could be the result of abnormal brain activity surrounding the nerves and blood vessels, which can cause severe pain and other symptoms. 

What Is Sumatriptan?

Sumatriptan is a medication used to treat migraine headaches. It works by narrowing blood vessels around the brain, reducing the release of substances involved in migraine symptoms, and blocking the pain signals sent to the brain.

What is the chemical make-up of Sumatriptan?

Sumatriptan contains a combination of active and inactive ingredients. Succinate is the active ingredient that works to fight migraines. Inactive ingredients include:

• Acesulfame potassium
• Colloidal silicon anhydrous
• Croscarmellose sodium
• Dibasic calcium phosphate
• Magnesium stearate
• Microcrystalline cellulose
• Sodium bicarbonate

These ingredients work together to provide a pill that is easy on the digestive system and quickly dissolves to provide fast pain relief. If you are allergic to any of these ingredients, avoid taking Sumatriptan and talk to your doctor about alternative treatments.

What is the Best Way to Store Sumatriptan?

Be sure to keep all medication safely out of the sight and reach of children. Sumatriptan is best stored in a cool, dry place where it will not be exposed to direct light or heat. Dispose of any medications that have passed their expiration date. You can take your unused or expired medication to your local pharmacy, who can safely dispose of them. 

Does Sumatriptan Have Other Uses?

Sumatriptan is also commonly prescribed to treat cluster headaches, which differ from migraines in that they are defined by severe pain that is isolated to one side of the head. If you experience frequent migraines, cluster headaches, or both, you may also want to talk to your doctor about preventive treatments

If you have been prescribed Sumatriptan, Prescription Doctor is here to help you get the treatment you need. Our safe and secure prescription service offers a new level of privacy and convenience for patients. All of our orders are fulfilled by a UK regulated pharmacy, so you can be confident about quality of the products you purchase.

What Side Effects Should I Be Aware Of?

All medications carry the risk of side effects, though not everybody gets them. Understanding the risks associated with the medicine you take is important. Before you begin taking Sumatriptan, we encourage you to familiarise with the supporting literature which comes enclosed in the packaging.

Most patients who try Sumatriptan do not experience any adverse reactions. However, some common side effects include:

• Chest pain or tightness
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Drooling
• Feeling hot or cold
• Mild headache

This is not an exhaustive list of side effects. Further information regarding the safety of Sumatriptan can be found in the accompanying leaflet which comes enclosed with your medication.

Alternatively, you can view the patient information leaflet for Sumatriptan online.

If you experience these side effects, you should arrange a follow-up appointment with your doctor. However, if you experience more severe and less common side effects — tingling sensations, convulsions, loss of coordination, and body pains — you may be having an allergic reaction and should immediately contact a medical professional.

If you are unsure about any information presented in the patient information leaflet, speak to your doctor or ask a pharmacist for assistance.

Is Sumatriptan Safe During Pregnancy

While some preliminary studies have been done on the effects of Sumatriptan on animals, no exhaustive or conclusive tests have been conducted on humans. This means all information about the effects on pregnant women and fetuses has been collected through post-marketing surveys.

Ultimately, the data show no significant effects, although doctors will typically recommend that Sumatriptan only be taken during pregnancy when the benefits outweigh the risks. As with most prescription drugs and pregnant women, better to err on the side of caution.

Does Sumatriptan Interact with other Medications?

Be sure to tell our prescriber about any medications or supplements you are currently taking. In addition, report any instances of allergic reactions you have had in the past. This will help prevent any negative interactions and make sure you get the most out of your medication.

Is Sumatriptan Safe for Everyone?

In addition, if you have other medical conditions — such as heart problems, high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease or seizures — Sumatriptan may not be the right choice to treat your migraines. Take the time to inform our prescriber of any previous or existing medical conditions that may affect your treatment.

Frequently asked questions

How Long Before Sumatriptan Begins to Work?

If you are experiencing the early signs of a migraine or are in the middle of a full attack, you want immediate relief. Sumatriptan is relatively fast-acting. Many people experience significant pain relief in just one hour.

While results vary from patient to patient, up to 35 percent of users experienced significant relief within one hour, and about half of patients reported noticeable relief from symptoms within two hours of taking the medication. Finally, 28 percent to 33 percent of patients experience complete relief within two hours of ingesting Sumatriptan.

What Do I Need to Know about Dosages?

Sumatriptan is taken as needed, so there is no need to worry about missed doses. However, patients should avoid taking more than 200 mg in a 24-hour period. Common symptoms of an overdose include:

• Shaking
• Red skin
• Breathing trouble
• Weakness and convulsions

If you have taken too much Sumatriptan or are experiencing symptoms you suspect may indicate an overdose, immediately seek medical attention.

Which Dosage is Right for Me?

Finding the right dosage to effectively treat your symptoms may involve some trial and error. Typically, doctors will start patients on the lower dosage and monitor positive results and side effects. (Report any side effects via your chat portal under My Account.)

Some patients respond well to the lower dosage, while others may need to titrate their medication by taking a 100 mg tablet and deciding whether any possible side effects are worth the relief.

I Have Never Taken Sumatriptan Before

Those who are especially sensitive to medication, or who weigh 100 pounds (45.36 kg) or fewer, should be careful about taking larger or double doses. You can order both 50 mg and 100 mg doses through Prescription Doctor's safe and secure online pharmacy.

Do I Need to Take Sumatriptan with Food?

Sumatriptan can be taken with a glass of water as soon as migraine symptoms develop. If you experience nausea, you may want to eat only simple foods when on the medication, but you can take Sumatriptan on an empty stomach. If you do not experience relief within two hours, take another dose. Keep in mind that you should not exceed 200 mg in a 24-hour period.

Can you drink alcohol while taking sumatriptan?

Sumatriptan can cause side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. These side effects can be exacerbated (made worse) by the consumption of alcohol.

How much sumatriptan can I take in a day?

Adults should not take more than 200 mg of sumatriptan a day.