Sumatriptan: What does it mean?
Sumatriptan (also known as Imitrex or Imigran) is used to treat migraine headaches. This medication is classified as a serotonin receptor antagonist. It works by reducing blood vessel constriction in the brain to block certain chemical substances that can cause pain sensations.
The FDA approved Sumatriptan for adults with acute migraine attacks. You can buy it in tablets, nasal sprays or injection forms.
Sumatriptan uses
Sumatriptan can be used to relieve migraine symptoms like nausea, vomiting and throbbing pain. Sumatriptan has been shown to decrease the severity of migraine attacks and reduce their duration. Sumatriptan is best taken immediately after a migraine attack.
Sumatriptan shouldn't be used in order to reduce or prevent migraine attacks. Sumatriptan should be only used for the treatment of acute migraine attacks.
Sumatriptan's Purported Benefits
Sumatriptan has been shown to have a variety of benefits in clinical studies . These include:
- Migraine symptoms are less severe
- Migraine attacks are less severe
- Migraine sufferers will experience an improvement in their quality of life
- Reduced need to take other medication for migraines
Sumatriptan can be tolerated well and considered safe by most patients. Before you start treatment, discuss with your doctor any potential side effects.
Sumatriptan Side Effects
Sumatriptan side effects include nausea, dizziness and drowsiness. Most side effects disappear within an hour to two hours after the medication is taken.
Side effects less common include difficulty breathing and chest pain. You should immediately contact your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms.
Sumatriptan Experts and Professionals' Opinions
Sumatriptan has been proven safe and effective in treating migraine headaches by experts. Sumatriptan is recommended by the American Academy of Neurology as an initial treatment for migraine headaches. Sumatriptan is also recommended for those who cannot or don't respond to any other medications.
Experts agree Sumatriptan shouldn't be taken more often than once a week. This can lead to medication overload headaches. To track medication effectiveness, experts recommend patients keep a log of migraines.
Sumatriptan: How do I get started?
Sumatriptan can be taken as a nasal spray, injection, or tablet. Adults should take 25mg orally, 50mg intramuscularly, and 6 mg subcutaneously. When taking this medication, it is crucial to comply with your doctor's directions.
Sumatriptan can cause adverse reactions. Contact your doctor immediately if you have any concerns. You should not exceed the prescribed dose of Sumatriptan or take the medication for a longer period than is recommended.
Do you need to be aware of side effects?
Sumatriptan may cause side effects in high doses and when taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, (MAOIs), or other medication. Before you start treatment with Sumatriptan, it is important that your doctor knows about all medications.
Sumatriptan should not be prescribed for people with uncontrolled Hypertension , cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease or stroke. Sumatriptan should not be taken by patients with kidney or liver disease.
Conclusion
Sumatriptan, a safe and effective treatment for migraine headaches acutely, is available. Before you begin treatment, it is important that you discuss potential side effects and risks with your doctor. Sumatriptan, if used correctly can reduce migraine intensity and lengthen migraine symptoms. It also improves the quality of life of sufferers.