Health Library

Sumatriptan (By injection)

Sumatriptan (soo-ma-TRIP-tan)

Treats migraine and cluster headaches.

Brand Name(s):

Imitrex, Imitrex STATdose, Imitrex Statdose Refill, Imitrex Statdose System, SUMAtriptan, Zembrace Symtouch

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot under your skin. It is usually given in the stomach, thigh, or upper arm.
• This medicine is available in 3 forms. You may use a single dose vial, prefilled syringe, or a prefilled autoinjector.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• You may be taught how to give your medicine at home. Make sure you understand all instructions before giving yourself an injection. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• If your headache comes back or you do not get complete relief, wait at least 1 hour before you use another dose. If you feel you need to use the medicine more than 2 times in a day, call your doctor.
• You will be shown the body areas where this shot can be given. Use a different body area each time you give yourself a shot. Keep track of where you give each shot to make sure you rotate body areas.
• Use a new needle and syringe each time you inject your medicine.
• Do not use the medicine if it is discolored or cloudy.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Use sumatriptan only when you have a migraine. This medicine is not used on a regular schedule.
• If you store this medicine at home, keep it at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Throw away used needles in a hard, closed container that the needles cannot poke through. Keep this container away from children and pets.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use this medicine if you have taken another migraine headache medicine in the past 24 hours, including another triptan or ergot medicine. These medicines include almotriptan, dihydroergotamine, eletriptan, ergotamine, frovatriptan, methysergide, rizatriptan, or zolmitriptan.
• Do not use this medicine if you are using or have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days.
• Tell your doctor if you are using medicine to treat depression.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a history of seizures. Tell your doctor if you have a family history of heart disease, a history of blood circulation problems (including peripheral vascular disease), or if you smoke. Also tell your doctor if you have a latex allergy.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Increased risk for heart rhythm problems, heart attack, or stroke
  • Spasms in the blood vessels, including Raynaud syndrome
  • Serotonin syndrome (more likely if used with medicine to treat depression)
  • High blood pressure
  • Increased risk of seizures
• Your headaches may become worse if you use headache medicine for 10 or more days per month. Keep a journal and write down how often your headaches occur and how often you use this medicine.
• This medicine may make you dizzy, weak, or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Anxiety, restlessness, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, twitching, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there
• Chest pain, especially if it spreads to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, unusual sweating, faintness
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Numbness or tingling in your hands, arms, legs, or feet, color changes in your fingers or toes
• Numbness or weakness on one side of your body, sudden or severe headache, problems with speech
• Seizures
• Severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, nausea, vomiting
• Tightness or discomfort in your chest, neck, or jaw
• Vision loss or vision changes that are not part of a usual migraine

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Feeling weak, drowsy, or tired
• Pain, itching, burning, swelling, or a lump under your skin where the shot is given

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024