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sumatriptan

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Brand names: Imitrex

Triptan (Serotonin 5-HT1 Agonist) Rx

Sumatriptan injection is a medicine used to treat migraine and cluster headaches. It works by narrowing blood vessels in the brain.

Drug Shortage Alert

sumatriptan is currently listed as to be discontinued by the FDA. Affected manufacturer: Prasco Laboratories.

View all drug shortages →

Drug Pricing (NADAC)

Brand Price

$72.78/unit

Generic Price

$17.12/unit

Generic Savings

76%

Generic Available

Yes (25 manufacturers)

Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →

What it does

Sumatriptan injection is used to treat migraine headaches, with or without aura, in adults.

Common side effects

Injection site reactions (pain, stinging, burning, swelling, bruising, bleeding), Tingling, Dizziness

Key warnings

Sumatriptan can cause serious heart problems, including heart attack and angina.

How It Works

Sumatriptan belongs to a class of drugs called triptans. It works by attaching to serotonin receptors in the brain. This causes blood vessels in the brain to narrow, which can relieve headache pain.

How to Take It

This medicine is given as a shot under the skin (subcutaneous). For migraines, the dose is usually 1 to 6 mg. For cluster headaches, the dose is 6 mg. Do not take more than 12 mg in 24 hours. Wait at least 1 hour between doses.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. This medicine may harm your unborn baby. It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Storage

Store between 36° and 86°F (2° and 30°C). Protect from light and keep in the original carton.

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 23,908 FDA adverse event reports.

Medicine not working
5,397
Headache
3,100
Feeling sick to your stomach
2,796
Migraine
2,735
Tiredness
2,099
Pain
1,965
Feeling lightheaded or unsteady
1,665
Throwing up
1,578
Shortness of breath
1,332
Feeling worried or nervous
1,241

FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis

Detailed analysis of 36,885 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 1996–2025.

Total Reports

36,885

Death-Related Reports

865

Hospitalization Reports

6,843

Top Indication

Migraine

Gender Distribution

Female 28,710 (85%)
Male 5,040 (15%)

Age Distribution

0–17 603
18–44 8,179
45–64 10,117
65–74 2,302
75+ 619

Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)

# Reaction Reports
1 DRUG INEFFECTIVE 5,397
2 HEADACHE 3,102
3 NAUSEA 2,795
4 MIGRAINE 2,734
5 FATIGUE 2,100
6 PAIN 1,967
7 DIZZINESS 1,666
8 VOMITING 1,578
9 DYSPNOEA 1,332
10 ANXIETY 1,244
11 OFF LABEL USE 1,226
12 DIARRHOEA 1,168
13 MALAISE 1,048
14 ARTHRALGIA 1,046
15 DEPRESSION 1,030

Reactions in Death Reports

DEATH 259
COMPLETED SUICIDE 136
TOXICITY TO VARIOUS AGENTS 99
CARDIAC ARREST 73
VOMITING 35
HEADACHE 33
PAIN 33
DYSPNOEA 32
RESPIRATORY FAILURE 30
PNEUMONIA 28

Reactions in Hospitalization Reports

HEADACHE 649
NAUSEA 614
PAIN 614
MIGRAINE 566
VOMITING 472
FATIGUE 442
DRUG INEFFECTIVE 433
DYSPNOEA 428
ANXIETY 377
DIZZINESS 377

Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation

Serious Warnings

Sumatriptan can cause serious heart problems, including heart attack and angina. If you have risk factors for heart disease (such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, or a family history of heart disease), your doctor should check your heart before you start taking this medicine. Sumatriptan can also cause stroke and other serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness on one side of your body, or trouble speaking.

Known Drug Interactions

7.4 Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors /Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors and Serotonin Syndrome Cases of serotonin syndrome have been reported during coadministration of triptans and SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, and MAO inhibitors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)].

Mechanism: Both drugs can increase serotonin levels in the body, which may lead to a serious reaction called serotonin syndrome.

What to do: Tell your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms like a fast heartbeat, sweating, or muscle stiffness.

Sumatriptan Clinical Impact: There have been postmarketing reports describing patients with weakness, hyperreflexia, and incoordination following the use of an SSRI and sumatriptan. Intervention: If concomitant treatment with sumatriptan and an SSRI is clinically warranted, appropriate observation of the patient is advised [ see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ].

Mechanism: Combining these medicines can lead to physical issues like weakness and poor coordination by affecting serotonin in the body.

What to do: If you take both, your doctor should monitor you closely for any signs of muscle or coordination problems.

Sumatriptan: Rare postmarketing reports of weakness, hyperreflexia, and incoordination following use of an SSRI and sumatriptan. Sumatriptan - There have been rare postmarketing reports describing patients with weakness, hyperreflexia, and incoordination following the use of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and sumatriptan. If concomitant treatment with sumatriptan and an SSRI (e.g., fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline) is clinically warranted, appropriate observation of the patient is advised.

Mechanism: Both drugs affect serotonin levels in the brain, which can rarely lead to symptoms like muscle weakness or poor coordination.

What to do: If you must take both, your doctor should watch you closely for any signs of muscle problems or coordination issues.

Sumatriptan –There have been rare postmarketing reports describing patients with weakness, hyperreflexia, and incoordination following the use of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and sumatriptan. If concomitant treatment with sumatriptan and an SSRI (e.g., citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline) is clinically warranted, appropriate observation of the patient is advised.

Mechanism: Combining these drugs can rarely cause a reaction that leads to muscle weakness, overactive reflexes, or loss of coordination.

What to do: Your doctor should monitor you for physical symptoms like weakness or coordination issues if you take these together.

Common Questions

Can I use sumatriptan to prevent migraines?
No, sumatriptan is only for treating migraines and cluster headaches when they occur. It is not for prevention.
How quickly does sumatriptan work?
Sumatriptan injection usually starts to work within 10 to 15 minutes.
Can I take another pain reliever with sumatriptan?
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking other pain relievers with sumatriptan.
What should I do if sumatriptan doesn't relieve my headache?
If your headache does not improve after the first injection, do not take another dose without talking to your doctor.
Can sumatriptan cause high blood pressure?
Sumatriptan can sometimes increase blood pressure. Your doctor may want to check your blood pressure while you are taking this medicine.
Is it safe to drive after taking sumatriptan?
Sumatriptan can cause dizziness or drowsiness. Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
Can I take sumatriptan if I have kidney problems?
Talk to your doctor before taking sumatriptan if you have kidney problems.
Can I take sumatriptan if I have liver problems?
You should not take sumatriptan if you have severe liver problems.
What if I am allergic to sumatriptan?
You should not take sumatriptan if you are allergic to it. Symptoms of an allergic reaction can include rash, hives, itching, swelling, and trouble breathing.
Can I take sumatriptan with other migraine medicines?
Do not take sumatriptan with other triptans or ergot-containing medications within 24 hours.
What are the common side effects of sumatriptan?
The most commonly reported side effects of sumatriptan include Injection site reactions (pain, stinging, burning, swelling, bruising, bleeding), Tingling, Dizziness, Warm or hot sensation, Burning sensation. Based on 23,908 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.
Does sumatriptan interact with other medications?
Yes, sumatriptan has 4 known drug interactions. Notable interactions include norepinephrine, escitalopram, fluvoxamine. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
What drug class is sumatriptan?
sumatriptan belongs to the Triptan (Serotonin 5-HT1 Agonist) drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). Sumatriptan injection is used to treat migraine headaches, with or without aura, in adults.
Is there a generic version of sumatriptan?
Yes, generic sumatriptan is available from 25 manufacturers. The generic costs $17.12 per unit compared to $72.78 for the brand version, saving approximately 76%. Pricing is based on NADAC (National Average Drug Acquisition Cost) data from CMS.
Is sumatriptan safe during pregnancy?
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. This medicine may harm your unborn baby. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Is sumatriptan currently in shortage?
Yes, sumatriptan is currently listed as to be discontinued by the FDA. Affected manufacturer: Prasco Laboratories. Visit the FDA Drug Shortages database for the latest updates.

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What the FDA Data Shows for sumatriptan

The FDA label for sumatriptan (sold under brand names such as Imitrex) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Triptan (Serotonin 5-HT1 Agonist) class. Sumatriptan injection is used to treat migraine headaches, with or without aura, in adults. Official labeling lists 10 commonly reported side effects, including Injection site reactions (pain, stinging, burning, swelling, bruising, bleeding), Tingling, Dizziness.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 23,908 voluntary reports. The database also lists 4 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated minor severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $17.12 versus $72.78 for the brand — a 76% generic savings.

Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC). Shortage status: FDA Drug Shortages Database.

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: September 28, 2024

All federal data sources used on this page