Zembrace
Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) is a prefilled, ready-to-use injection pen (autoinjector) that treats migraines in adults. It has to be injected under the skin, so it can be an option for people who have trouble swallowing pills. It might be expensive because it's only available as a brand medication.
What is Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan)?
What is Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) used for?
- Short-term treatment of migraine in adults
How Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) works
Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) is a triptan. When the blood vessels in your brain widen, it causes a headache. Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) works by tightening the blood vessels to relieve your migraine headache, as well as stopping pain signals from going to your brain.
Drug facts
Side effects of Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site (30%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Tingling
- Dizziness/feeling like you're spinning (vertigo)
- Feeling warm or hot
- Burning feeling
- Feeling of heaviness
- Pressure feeling
- Blushing (flushing)
Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Heart attack: chest pain that spreads to the neck, shoulder, or jaw, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea
- Stroke: sudden weakness on one side of your body (face, arm, or leg), feeling confused, trouble speaking, trouble seeing, feeling dizzy, trouble walking
- Narrowing of arteries leading to low blood flow to parts of the body: pain, numbness, or color changes in your arms or legs, severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea
- Serotonin syndrome: agitation, hallucinations, racing heartbeat, heavy sweating, high fever, shakiness, muscle spasm, nausea, vomiting
- Very high blood pressure: blood pressure above 180/120 mmHg, severe chest pain, severe headache, shortness of breath, vision changes, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, seizures
- Serious allergic reactions: rash, difficulty breathing, swelling of tongue, mouth, or throat
- Abnormal heart beat
- Seizures
The following Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Burning, pain, tingling, or color changes in the legs or feet
- Heart attack—pain or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, or jaw, nausea, shortness of breath, cold or clammy skin, feeling faint or lightheaded
- Heart rhythm changes—fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, chest pain, trouble breathing
- Increase in blood pressure
- Raynaud's—cool, numb, or painful fingers or toes that may change color from pale, to blue, to red
- Seizures
- Serotonin syndrome—irritability, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle stiffness, twitching muscles, sweating, high fever, seizure, chills, vomiting, diarrhea
- Stroke—sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, trouble speaking, confusion, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, dizziness, severe headache, change in vision
- Sudden or severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, or bloody diarrhea
- Vision loss
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Dizziness
- Facial flushing, redness
- General discomfort or fatigue
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Pros and cons of Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan)
Pros
- Can work quickly within 10 minutes
- Doesn't have to be refrigerated
- Is a good option if you have trouble swallowing pills during a migraine attack
- There's a savings program to help certain people lower their co-pay.
Cons
- Can be expensive because it's only available as a brand medication
- Can't be used to prevent a migraine attack
- Has to be injected under the skin
- Not safe for use in severe liver disease
- Not a good option for people with heart problems
Pharmacist tips for Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan)
- Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) can be given any time during a migraine attack, but it's best to inject the medication as soon as your migraine symptoms start.
- Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) should be injected under the skin, preferably in the sides of your thighs or arms. Don't inject it into your muscles or veins because doing so can lead to serious side effects.
- Keep Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) with you at all times in case you have a migraine attack. It doesn't need to be refrigerated.
- If Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) doesn’t give you any relief the first time, talk to your provider to see if this medication is right for you before you use it again. Your provider can help you find out what type of headache you have, and see if there might be better options for you.
- If your migraine comes back or doesn't go away completely, you can use a second dose of Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) 1 hour after your first dose.
- Don't take Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) if you've taken other migraine medications, such as dihydroergotamine (Migranal), methysergide (Sansert), zolmitriptan (Zomig), or rizatriptan (Maxalt), in the last 24 hours. This can cause the blood vessels to constrict for a long period of time, blocking blood flow through your brain, which can lead to stroke or heart attack.
- Using Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) for more than 10 days in a month can cause worse headaches. If you find yourself taking Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) often, talk to your provider so they can recommend alternative treatment options.
- Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) can cause dizziness, so be careful if you have to drive or operate any machines.
Common questions about Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan)
Inject Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) under the skin of the sides of your thighs or the sides of your arms.
The maximum total dose of Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) is 12 mg per day, so you can inject 3 mg (0.5 mL) up to four times in a day. If you find you're using this medication 10 days or more per month, speak with your provider about alternative medications that can prevent your migraine attacks. Using migraine medications (e.g., ergots, opioids, and triptans), including Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan), 10 days or more per month can lead to worse headaches (medication overuse headaches).
This medication can work in as little as 10 minutes. In a study, 60% of people had pain relief within 2 hours of taking Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan).
Although there aren't any known risks with taking acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) with Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan), speak to your provider or pharmacist to see if it's safe for you to take these over-the-counter pain medications.
It's not known if Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) is safe to take during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, speak to your provider to see if Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) is a safe choice for you.
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Risks and warnings for Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan)
Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) 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
- Risk factors: Heart disease or strong family history of heart disease | High cholesterol | High blood pressure | Diabetes | Smoking | Obesity | Older age | Irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmias)
Although rare, Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) can cause serious heart problems, including heart attacks and changes to your heart rhythm (arrhythmias). This can occur in people with or without a history of heart disease. Stop taking Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) and let your provider know right away if you feel your heart beating abnormally. Get medical emergency help if you experience signs of a heart attack, such as chest pain that spreads to the neck, shoulder, or jaw, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, or nausea. Talk to your provider about your health history to see if you are at risk of developing heart problems while taking Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan). Don't take Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) if you have a history of heart disease or arrhythmias.
Stroke and bleeding in your brain
- Risk factors: History of a stroke
Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) can cause a stroke, which can sometimes be mistaken as a migraine because the symptoms are similar. Make sure your provider has confirmed that your headache is a migraine before taking Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan). Stop taking Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) and get emergency medical help if you have signs of a stroke, such as sudden weakness on one side of your body (face, arm, or leg), feeling confused, trouble speaking, trouble seeing, feeling dizzy, or trouble walking. Don't take Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) if you have a history of a stroke, temporary blockage of blood to the brain (transient ischemic attack), migraine that causes weakness on one side of the body (hemiplegia migraine), or migraine from the lower part of the brain called brainstem (basilar migraine).
Feeling of pain, tightness, pressure, or heaviness
Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) can cause a feeling of pain, tightness, pressure, or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw area. This usually isn't related to heart problems, but let your provider know if you experience any of these symptoms.
Medication overuse headache
- Risk factors: Using Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) alone or in combination with other migraine medications for 10 or more days a month
Using Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) alone or in combination with other migraine medications for 10 days or more in a month can make headaches worse. You might experience daily headaches or more frequent migraine attacks if this happens. Talk to your provider about how to safely stop taking the medications.
Serotonin syndrome
- Risk factors: Taking antidepressants, fentanyl (Duragesic), tramadol (Ultram), buspirone (Buspar), ADHD medications, triptans
Although rare, Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) can raise the level of a chemical in your body called serotonin. This can lead to serotonin syndrome, especially if it's taken in combination with other medications that could also raise your serotonin levels. Combining medications that help with depression, pain, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) can raise your risk of serotonin syndrome. Having high levels of serotonin in your body is bad for your nerves and brain function. Let your provider know right away if you get symptoms of serotonin syndrome such as agitation, hallucinations, racing heartbeat, heavy sweating, high fever, shakiness, muscle spasm, nausea, or vomiting.
Blood vessel issues
Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) can make your blood vessels tighten up, causing less blood flow to certain parts of your body. If less blood is flowing to your arms and legs, you can feel pain, numbness, or see color changes in your arms or legs. If less blood is flowing to your stomach, you can get sudden or severe stomach pain and bloody diarrhea. There have also been reports of temporary and permanent blindness, as well as partial vision loss with Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan). Because migraines can affect your vision, it is not known if Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) specifically is the cause of vision loss. Let your provider know if you have any signs of low blood flow mentioned previously before you continue using Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan).
Dangerously high blood pressure
- Risk factors: High blood pressure
Rarely, Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) can cause high blood pressure in people with or without a history of high blood pressure. Having dangerously high blood pressure can lead to life-threatening complications (hypertensive crisis) and cause your organs to fail suddenly. Watch your blood pressure when taking Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan), and get emergency medical help if you have severe chest pain, severe headache, shortness of breath, vision changes, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, or seizures. Don't take Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) if your blood pressure is not under control.
Seizures
- Risk factors: History of seizures
Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) can cause seizures, so avoid this medication if you have a history of seizures or health conditions that make you more prone to having seizures.
Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) dosage
Typical dosage for Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan)
The typical dose is 3 mg (0.5 mL) injected under the skin (subcutaneously) once. The maximum dose is 12 mg per day. Each dose of Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) should be separated by at least 1 hour.
If your migraine headache comes back or doesn't go away completely, you can use a second dose of Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) 1 hour after your first dose. You can also use a dose of Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) 1 hour after using another sumatriptan medication (e.g., sumatriptan (Imitrex), sumatriptan (Imitrex Statdose), or Onzetra (sumatriptan)).
How much does Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) cost?
$129.25
Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan) will not be safe for you to take.
- History of heart disease
- Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmias)
- History of stroke
- History of hemiplegic or basilar migraine
- Blood vessel disease (peripheral vascular disease or ischemic bowel disease)
- Uncontrolled blood pressure
- Use of other migraine medications (e.g., ergot-type medications or triptans) within the last 24 hours
- Take medications called MAO-A inhibitors, such as phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate), or use of an MAO-A inhibitor within the last 2 weeks
- Severe liver problems
What are alternatives to Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan)?
