sumatriptan statdose
Sumatriptan injection is also known by the brand names Imitrex or Imitrex STATdose. This medication is used for the short-term treatment of migraines with or without aura and cluster headaches in adults. It belongs to the drug class called triptans. Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) is an injection that's given as a single dose under the skin at the first sign of a migraine or headache. The dose can be repeated 1 hour later if you need more relief. Side effects include a tingling sensation, a feeling of pressure or tightness, and injection-site reactions.
What is Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex)?
What is Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) used for?
Short-term treatment of migraines with or without aura in adults
Short-term treatment of cluster headaches in adults
How Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) works
Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) is a triptan. It works on receptors in your brain and nervous system that respond to serotonin, a natural chemical in your body that's thought to play a role in migraines and headaches.
When it attaches to the serotonin receptors in the brain, sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) tightens the blood vessels in the brain and lessens blood vessel swelling that can cause migraine and headache pain. The medication also stops the release of other pain signals through your nervous system. This helps relieve migraine and headache pain.
Drug Facts
More on Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) essentials
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What are the side effects of Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex)?
Common Side Effects
- Pain, redness, swelling, bleeding, or bruising at the injection site (59%)
- Tinging (14%)
- Dizziness (12%)
- Warm or hot sensation (11%)
Other Side Effects
- Feeling of heaviness or tightness
- Chest discomfort
- Neck pain or stiffness
- Burning sensation
- Flushing
- Numbness
- Weakness
Serious Side Effects
- Heart problems: heart attack, dangerously high blood pressure, severe headache, chest pain, trouble breathing, irregular heartbeat
- Stroke: sudden weakness on one side of your body, headache, changes in your speech or vision, confusion
- Serotonin syndrome: fast heart rate, dizziness, sweating, flushing, tremor (shakiness), muscle stiffness or twitching, uncoordinated movement, hallucinations
- Allergic reaction: rash or hives, swelling of face or throat, trouble breathing
- Narrowing of blood vessels in the body: bloody diarrhea; severe stomach pain; partial or permanent blindness; tightness, weakness, numbness of legs or feet
- Seizure
Source:Â DailyMed
More on Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) side effects
The following side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Blurred vision
chest pain or discomfort
chills
confusion
difficult or labored breathing
dizziness
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
fainting
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
headache
nervousness
pounding in the ears
shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
slow heartbeat
sweating
tight feeling in the head
tightness or pressure in the chest
trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare
Black, tarry stools
blood in the urine
blood in the vomit
burning while urinating
decreased urination
depression of the skin
feeling of warmth or heat
flushing or redness of the skin, especially on the face and neck
general feeling of discomfort or illness
inability to move the eyes
inability to move the legs or arms
increase in heart rate
increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
increased sensitivity to pain
increased sensitivity to touch
indentation of the skin
joint pain
loss of appetite
muscle aches and pains
pain in the groin or genitals
paleness of the skin
paleness or cold feeling in the fingertips and toes
paralysis of one side of the body
rapid breathing
severe or continuing stomach pain
sharp back pain just below the ribs
shivering
sticking out of the tongue
sunken eyes
thirst
tingling in the hands and feet
tingling or pain in the fingers or toes when exposed to cold
trouble sleeping
trouble speaking or swallowing
uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs
unusual facial expressions
vomiting
wrinkled skin
Incidence not known
Agitation
back, leg, or stomach pains
bleeding gums
blood in the stools
bluish color of the fingernails, lips, skin, palms, or nail beds
changes in skin color
changes in vision
decreased awareness or responsiveness
double vision
general body swelling
headache, sudden, severe, and continuing
high fever
hostility
inability to speak
irritability
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
loss of ability to use or understand speech or language
loss of appetite
loss of consciousness
loss of vision
migraine headache
muscle twitching
noisy breathing
nosebleeds
overactive reflexes
pain, tenderness, or swelling of the foot or leg
pinpoint red spots on the skin
poor coordination
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
rapid weight gain
rectal bleeding
redness, soreness, or itching skin
restlessness
seizures
severe or sudden headache
severe sleepiness
slurred speech
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
sores, welting, or blisters
stomach pain and tenderness
swelling of the face, ankles, hands, feet, or lower legs
swollen glands
talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
temporary blindness
trembling or shaking
twitching
unexplained bleeding or bruising
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness
unusually warm skin
weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe
yellowing of the eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site
burning or tingling sensation
drowsiness
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
feeling of warmth
redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
relaxed and calm feeling
sensation of spinning
sleepiness
Less common
bad, unusual, or unpleasant (after) taste
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
change in color vision
change in taste
difficulty seeing at night
difficulty with moving
discomfort in the jaw, nasal cavity, or throat
false or unusual sense of well-being
feeling strange
increased sensitivity of the eyes to sunlight
joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
mental confusion
muscle aching or cramping
neck pain or stiffness
red, sore eyes
stomach discomfort
swollen joints
tearing of the eyes
thirst
weakness
Rare
Backache
belching
bloated or full feeling
changes in patterns and rhythms of speech
cramps
dry heaves
excess air or gas in the stomach or bowels
extreme thirst
hiccups
hunger
increased thirst
muscle tiredness
muscle twitching or jerking
passing gas
reduced appetite
rhythmic movement of muscles
severe stomach pain with nausea and vomiting
tenderness of the skin
Incidence not known
Deafness
panic
severe sunburn
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Pros and cons of Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex)
Pros
First-choice option for the short-term treatment of migraines
Can work within as little as 10 minutes for pain relief
Doesn't have to be refrigerated
Lower-cost generic available
Cons
Injected under the skin
Doesn't help prevent a migraine or cluster headache attack
Prefilled syringes and pen might not be a good option for people who have a latex allergy
Shouldn't be taken on 10 or more days per month because it can cause worse headaches
Pharmacist tips for Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex)
Your prescriber or pharmacist will train you on how to prepare and use the sumatriptan prefilled syringes and pen or vials, depending on which one you're prescribed. Ask your care team if you're not comfortable with how to prepare and take the medication.
Inject sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) under the skin, typically in the side of your upper arm or thigh. Never inject the medication into a muscle or vein.
It's best to inject sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) as soon as your migraine or headache starts. But you can also inject the medication at any time during your migraine or headache attack.
If your migraine or headache comes back or if it doesn't completely go away after at least 1 hour of taking sumatriptan injection (Imitrex), you can take a second dose of the medication. Don't take a second dose of sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) any sooner than 1 hour from your previous dose; this can cause more side effects.
It's possible for you to feel sleepy, dizzy, or weak after you take sumatriptan injection (Imitrex). Don't drive or do anything that requires concentration after you take a dose until you know how this medication affects you.
Avoid alcohol after you take a dose of sumatriptan injection (Imitrex). Alcohol can worsen side effects like sleepiness and dizziness. It can also raise your risk of having another migraine.
You might have a feeling of tightness, pressure, or pain in the chest, throat, jaw, or neck after you take sumatriptan injection (Imitrex). It typically doesn't last long and will go away. But keep in mind that these symptoms are very similar to symptoms of a heart attack or other heart problems. Get medical help right away if you notice that these symptoms are worsening or if they don't go away.
Speak with your prescriber if you have migraines or cluster headaches very often. In general, taking migraine medications for more than 9 days out of a month can lead to rebound headaches (also called medication overuse headaches). Your prescriber can discuss with you about other ways to relieve your migraine or headache without the use of medications.
Talk to your prescriber about the risks and benefits of taking sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) if you're pregnant. It isn't completely clear how safe the medication is during pregnancy.
Ask your prescriber about taking sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) while breastfeeding. Based on research, the medication isn't expected to cause side effects in breastfed babies or affect your breast milk supply. But the manufacturer of sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) recommends avoiding breastfeeding for at least 12 hours after you take a dose of the medication to be safe.
Store sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) at room temperature. Keep the medication in the original container to protect it from light.
Frequently asked questions about Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex)
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What are the risks and warnings for Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex)?
Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Heart problems and high blood pressure
Risk factors: History of heart problems | Age older than 65 | Diabetes | People who are considered obese | High blood pressure | Smoking tobacco
Although rare, some people have reported serious heart problems, such as heart attack and heart rhythm problems, within a few hours after taking sumatriptan injection (Imitrex). In addition, this medication might make your blood pressure go up to dangerously high levels.
If you have a history of heart or blood circulation problems, talk to your primary care provider or cardiologist first to make sure sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) is as safe for you as possible. And make sure to periodically check your blood pressure while you're taking sumatriptan injection (Imitrex). Let your healthcare team know if it's higher than usual. Get emergency help right away if you experience a heart attack, severe headache, chest pain, or irregular heartbeat.
Stroke or other brain injury
Some people who've taken triptans like sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) have had life-threatening strokes or bleeding in the brain. For this reason, you won't be able to take this medication if you've had a stroke in the past. Let your primary care provider or neurologist know about your medical history.
Symptoms of stroke or other brain injuries include sudden weakness on one side of the body, severe headaches, drooping face, trouble breathing, or changes in your speech or vision. These symptoms can be similar to migraine symptoms, so strokes can be mistaken for a migraine. Stop taking sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) and get medical help as soon as possible if you notice symptoms of a stroke, especially if you haven't had a migraine or cluster headache before.
Extreme narrowing of blood vessels
Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) can cause extreme narrowing of your blood vessels in different parts of your body. Depending on the location, this can lead to serious stomach problems (e.g., stomach pain, bloody diarrhea), vision problems, and changes in sensation in your hands and feet. Sometimes, it can cause symptoms similar to Raynaud's phenomenon, which can look like color changes in your hands and feet (can turn pale or more reddish depending on how much blood is flowing through). Don't take any more sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) until you see a member of your healthcare team if you notice these symptoms after you take the medication.
Worsened headaches if sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) is taken too often
Taking more than the recommended dose of migraine medications, including sumatriptan injection (Imitrex), or taking them too often can cause them to not work as well. This can lead to more migraine-like headaches or more migraine attacks. Let your primary care provider or neurologist know if you're taking multiple migraine medications and if you need to take them for more than 9 days per month. Your primary care provider or neurologist can talk with you about better options to help with migraines.
Serotonin syndrome
Risk factors: Taking other medications that raise serotonin levels
Some people who take sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) have developed a rare, but potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. This condition happens when there's too much serotonin in the brain.
Let your primary care provider or neurologist know about all the medications you take before you start sumatriptan injection (Imitrex), as well as any medications you plan to take. Your risk for serotonin syndrome can be higher if you take sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) with other medications that can raise your serotonin levels, such as certain antidepressants, mental health medications, and migraine medications.
Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, fever, and confusion.
Seizures
Risk factors: History of seizures
Although rarely reported, some people have had a seizure after they took sumatriptan injection (Imitrex). Tell your prescriber if you have a history of seizures or if you have any health conditions that make you more prone to having seizures.
Severe allergic reaction
Risk factors: Latex allergy
Rarely, sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) can cause life-threatening allergic reactions. Get medical help right away if you have hives, swelling in your face or throat, or trouble breathing.
Let your healthcare team know if you have an allergy to latex. The needle shield of the prefilled syringes contain latex, so people who have a latex allergy might have an allergic reaction if they use the prefilled syringes of sumatriptan injection (Imitrex).
Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) dosage forms
Typical dosing for Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex)
Migraines
Sumatriptan prefilled syringes and pen (Imitrex STATdose): The typical dose is 4 mg or 6 mg injected under the skin for a single dose.
Generic sumatriptan vials: The typical dose is 1 mg to 6 mg injected under the skin for a single dose.
Cluster headaches
Sumatriptan prefilled syringes and pen (Imitrex STATdose) or generic sumatriptan vials: The typical dose is 6 mg injected under the skin for a single dose.
You can take a second dose at least 1 hour after the first dose if your migraine or headache comes back or doesn't completely go away. The maximum dose is 12 mg per day.
More on Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) dosage forms
Interactions between Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) and other drugs
More on Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) interactions
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Almotriptan
- Bromocriptine
- Dihydroergotamine
- Eletriptan
- Ergoloid Mesylates
- Ergonovine
- Ergotamine
- Frovatriptan
- Furazolidone
- Iproniazid
- Isocarboxazid
- Linezolid
- Methylene Blue
- Methylergonovine
- Methysergide
- Moclobemide
- Naratriptan
- Nialamide
- Phenelzine
- Procarbazine
- Rasagiline
- Rizatriptan
- Safinamide
- Selegiline
- Tranylcypromine
- Zolmitriptan
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Alfentanil
- Amineptine
- Amitriptyline
- Amitriptylinoxide
- Amoxapine
- Amphetamine
- Benzhydrocodone
- Benzphetamine
- Buprenorphine
- Butorphanol
- Citalopram
- Clomipramine
- Codeine
- Desipramine
- Desvenlafaxine
- Dexfenfluramine
- Dextroamphetamine
- Dibenzepin
- Dihydrocodeine
- Dolasetron
- Doxepin
- Duloxetine
- Escitalopram
- Fenfluramine
- Fentanyl
- Fluoxetine
- Fluvoxamine
- Granisetron
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Imipramine
- Lasmiditan
- Levomilnacipran
- Levorphanol
- Lisdexamfetamine
- Lithium
- Lofepramine
- Lorcaserin
- Melitracen
- Meperidine
- Metaxalone
- Methamphetamine
- Milnacipran
- Mirtazapine
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Nalbuphine
- Nefazodone
- Nortriptyline
- Ondansetron
- Opipramol
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Palonosetron
- Paroxetine
- Pentazocine
- Protriptyline
- Reboxetine
- Remifentanil
- Sertraline
- Sibutramine
- St John's Wort
- Sufentanil
- Tapentadol
- Tianeptine
- Tramadol
- Trazodone
- Trimipramine
- Venlafaxine
- Vilazodone
- Vortioxetine
- Ziprasidone
How much does Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) cost?
Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex) contraindications
Coronary artery disease, including history of heart attack
Certain conditions that cause an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmias)
History of stroke or transient ischemic attack ("mini-stroke")
History of hemiplegic or basilar migraines (because of higher risk of stroke)
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Use of ergot-containing or ergot-type medications like dihydroergotamine (Migranal) or other triptans in the last 24 hours
Currently take or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as selegiline, in the last 14 days
Severe liver problems
What are alternatives to Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex)?
Short-term treatment of migraines with or without aura in adults
Short-term treatment of cluster headaches in adults
Short-term treatment of migraine in adults
Treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in people ages 6 years and older
What is the latest news about Sumatriptan injection (Imitrex)?
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References
Best studies we foundAilani, J., et al. (2021). The American Headache Society Consensus Statement: Update on integrating new migraine treatments into clinical practice. Headache.
Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) (2024). Sumatriptan. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
Eugia US LLC. (2023). Sumatriptan- sumatriptan injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
Feuerstadt, P. (2019). Small bowel ischemia overview. American College of Gastroenterology.
GlaxoSmithKline LLC. (2023). Imitrex- sumatriptan injection [package insert]. DailyMed.
Kadian, R., et al. (2023). Basilar migraine. StatPearls.
Kumar, A., et al. (2023). Hemiplegic migraine. StatPearls.
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