What is Sumatriptan?

Sumatriptan tablets are a migraine treatment from a group of medicines called triptans. They are used to treat an acute migraine attack once it has started and can help reduce headache pain and associated symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light and sensitivity to sound.

The usual first oral dose is 50 mg. The 100 mg strength is generally used as a step-up dose for people who have already tried sumatriptan 50 mg and found that it was not effective enough.

This product is supplied on a private prescription following an online consultation.

How does Sumatriptan work?

Sumatriptan works by acting on serotonin receptors in blood vessels and nerves involved in migraine. This helps reverse the changes linked to a migraine attack and can reduce headache pain and other migraine symptoms.

It is used to treat an attack that has already started and is not used to prevent migraines from happening.

What is Sumatriptan used for?

Sumatriptan 50 mg and 100 mg tablets are used for acute migraine attacks in adults, including migraine with or without aura. They can relieve migraine headache and associated symptoms such as nausea, photophobia and phonophobia.

The 50 mg tablet is the usual starting dose. The 100 mg tablet may be suitable for people who need a step-up because the 50 mg strength has not worked well enough.

Sumatriptan is not used here for migraine prevention, headaches that have not been diagnosed as migraine, hemiplegic migraine, basilar migraine, ophthalmoplegic migraine, cluster headache treated with oral tablets or use in children.

Your prescriber will confirm whether sumatriptan and the selected strength are appropriate based on your symptoms, migraine history, response to previous treatment, medical history and any other medicines you are using.

Who may be suitable for Sumatriptan?

You may be suitable if you are an adult with a clear history of migraine, your headaches fit a migraine pattern and are appropriate for sumatriptan treatment, and you understand that the medicine treats an attack rather than preventing future attacks.

Sumatriptan should be taken as soon as the migraine headache starts. The 100 mg strength is generally suitable only if you have already used sumatriptan 50 mg and found that it did not work well enough.

Your prescriber will consider your migraine history, whether the diagnosis is clear, whether your symptoms are typical of migraine, how you responded to previous sumatriptan treatment and whether there are any warning signs requiring further assessment.

They will also consider whether you have heart disease, stroke risk factors, circulation problems, uncontrolled blood pressure or any other relevant health conditions or medicines.

Who should not use Sumatriptan or needs medical advice first?

Do not use sumatriptan without medical advice if you are allergic to sumatriptan or any of the tablet ingredients, or if you have coronary heart disease, a previous heart attack, angina, significant heart rhythm problems, a previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack, peripheral vascular disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure or severe liver disease.

It may also be unsuitable if you have been diagnosed with hemiplegic migraine, basilar migraine or ophthalmoplegic migraine.

Do not take sumatriptan too close to ergotamine, methysergide or another triptan. It should not be used if you are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors or have taken them within the last two weeks.

Seek prescriber advice before treatment if you have risk factors for heart disease such as smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes or a strong family history. Advice is also required if you have mild to moderate high blood pressure, liver problems, epilepsy, a history of seizures, or are taking SSRIs, SNRIs or other medicines that may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome.

Speak to your prescriber if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and want to confirm whether treatment is suitable.

How do I take Sumatriptan?

Your prescriber will confirm the correct strength and exact directions.

Sumatriptan is best taken after the migraine headache has started rather than during the aura phase. Swallow the tablet whole with water.

If the first tablet helps but the migraine later returns, a second dose may be taken after at least two hours if advised. Do not take a second dose for the same attack if the first tablet did not work.

Do not combine sumatriptan with another triptan or an ergotamine-containing migraine treatment without appropriate spacing and advice.

If your symptoms become worse, do not improve as expected or you develop new or unusual neurological symptoms, seek medical advice.

General self-care advice

Rest in a dark, quiet room if possible and keep hydrated. Avoid driving if your migraine symptoms or treatment side effects affect your ability to do so.

Keeping a migraine diary may help if attacks are frequent. Seek a treatment review if you need migraine medication regularly, as frequent use can sometimes lead to medication overuse headache.

Side effects and when to get help

Common side effects can include dizziness, tiredness, tingling, nausea, flushing or feelings of heaviness, tightness or pressure. These effects are often short-lived.

Seek urgent medical advice if you develop chest pain, severe shortness of breath, severe allergic symptoms, weakness on one side, difficulty speaking, seizures, collapse or any severe or unexpected reaction after taking the medicine.

Royal Mail Tracked 24

1–2 working days
£3.99

Royal Mail Special Delivery

Guaranteed next working day delivery
£8.95

Discreet Packaging

All orders are sent in plain, unmarked packaging with no indication of the contents. Your privacy is our priority.