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Sumatriptan Tablets (50mg & 100mg)

Sumatriptan Tablets (50mg & 100mg)

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Sumatriptan tablets - effective migraine treatment

Sumatriptan tablets are used to treat acute migraines, effectively relieving symptoms such as severe headaches and nausea. These require an assessment before purchase.

Suitable for age: 18 years +
Maximums per order:
  • Sumatriptan 50mg Tablets (Generic Imigran)3
  • Sumatriptan 100mg Tablets (Generic Imigran)3
Consultation required?Yes

This treatment requires an online consultation for review by our medical team. The decision to supply the specific treatment and quantity requested will be based on whether our medical team are satisfied that it will be safe, appropriate, and effective.

Generic Treatment?Yes

This is a generic medicine and manufacturer of the treatment supplied may vary from the treatment image above, depending on availability. Please contact us once you've placed your order if you require a specific brand and we will do our best to accommodate your request.

Type of medicine
Seratonin Receptor Agonists (Triptan)
Works by
It causes the blood vessels in the brain to narrow helping to reduce headache migraine symptoms.
Active ingredient
Sumatriptan succinate
Effective within
30 - 60 minutes
Pack size
6 Tablets
Strength
50mg, 100mg
Manufacturer
Accord Healthcare, Mylan, Dr Reddy’s, Aurobindo Pharma - Milpharm, Dexcel Pharma, Bristol Labs, Almus, Teva
Generic
Yes
Use with alcohol
Check with your GP or pharmacist

Sumatriptan - Important Information

Migraine relief with triptans

Triptans are a class of medications commonly prescribed as a treatment for migraines. They mainly act by contracting blood vessels and stabilising brain chemicals, and they’re a worthwhile alternative should ordinary painkillers prove ineffective. Sumatriptan is a popular triptan drug that can also be bought as a more expensive branded version — Imigran.

For the best results, migraine relief tablets should always be taken as soon as any symptoms develop. Sumatriptan can offer fast and effective pain relief if you frequently suffer from intense migraines. And if tablets are impractical, Sumatriptan nasal spray is also available.

How does Sumatriptan work to treat migraines?

One of the primary causes of a migraine is the widening of the brain’s blood vessels. Sumatriptan migraine relief tablets work by:

  • Stimulating the serotonin receptors in your brain, causing the muscles surrounding the blood vessels in the brain to contract
  • Stabilising some of the chemical changes that occur in the brain during a migraine

Sumatriptan takes around 30 minutes to work, so it’s best to take it as soon as your migraine starts. If you find Sumatriptan ineffective, you may try an alternative triptan, such as almotriptan (Almogran) or frovatriptan (Migard). For more information, see our guide to Sumatriptan.

Generic Imigran — cheaper, but just as effective

Originally, GlaxoSmithKline held the patent for drugs made using sumatriptan succinate, but that original Imigran patent has now lapsed — which means that other pharmaceutical companies are able to produce, and sell, cheaper versions of the same drug.

The active ingredient (sumatriptan succinate) in Sumatriptan tablets and branded Imigran is exactly the same. Though they are medically equivalent, generic Sumatriptan migraine relief tablets are available at a significant cost saving compared to branded Imigran.

Taking Sumatriptan

Sumatriptan migraine relief tablets are available by prescription only. You can order them through The Independent Pharmacy following a free online assessment to ensure they are safe and appropriate for you. They come in two strengths:

  • 50mg — a good starting dose for most people. This should relieve most migraine symptoms without the need for a repeat dose.
  • 100mg — for severe migraines, or if 50mg tablets don’t provide enough relief.

Your GP will usually help you to find the best dose for your migraines after you are first diagnosed. Both strengths can be safely taken with other painkillers or anti-sickness medicines if needed. For full details on how to take Sumatriptan, head to our Sumatriptan dosage and side effects page.

Other prescription medication available

We stock a wide range of migraine relief medication, including other triptans, and nasal sprays, and wafer melts.

Other triptans we stock:

Tablets

Nasal Sprays

Wafer Melts

Alternate (over the counter) medication for migraines

There are some over the counter medications that can be used initially to try and combat migraine pain and nausea. Some of the products include:

  • Paracetamol
  • Ibuprofen
  • Aspirin
  • Buccastem M to help with nausea.

Sources

Sumatriptan directions

Take ONE tablet at the onset of symptoms, dose may be repeated after at least 2 hours if migraine symptoms return. Maximum dose is 300mg in 24 hours (three 100mg tablets or six 50mg tablets).

Sumatriptan (Imigran) usually starts to work after 30 minutes. It does not work for everyone. Where it does not work alternative 'triptans' are worth trying.

Sumatriptan should not be taken with other 'triptans' or with medication containing ergotamine.

Sumatriptan ingredients

Each Sumatriptan tablet contains sumatriptan succinate as the active ingredient.

Each tablet also contains:

Lactose monohydrate, hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, crosscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide (E171), triacetin, red iron oxide (E172).

Sumatriptan side effects

The side effects of Sumatriptan can include pain, heaviness, pressure or tightness in the chest, throat or other parts of the body, or unusual sensations, including numbness, tingling and warmth or cold. These effects may be intense but generally pass quickly. Please read the Patient Information Leaflet enclosed with your medicines for a full list of side effects.

Other common side effects include:

  • Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting), although this may be due to the migraine itself
  • Tiredness or drowsiness
  • Dizziness, feeling weak, or getting hot flushes
  • Temporary increase in blood pressure
  • Shortness of breath

If you feel pain or tightness in your chest after you use sumatriptan, do not panic, the symptoms may be intense but they usually pass quickly. If they do not pass quickly or they become severe, get medical help immediately.

If you take Sumatriptan 100mg tablets and you find that your medicine is effective but you get mild unwanted side effects, you may wish to lower the strength of your treatment to Sumatriptan 50mg tablets to see if they are still effective without the side effects.

Read more about Sumatriptan side effects here.

Sumatriptan warnings

Sumatriptan has been widely used for many years and is generally considered a safe form of medication.

Sumatriptan (Imigran) can cause a temporary narrowing of blood vessels. People who have had strokes or mini-strokes, have problems with poor circulation, or a history of angina (heart pain on exertion) or have had heart attacks should not take sumatriptan.

Even in people who have never had circulation problems sumatriptan can in rare situations trigger serious heart problems. The following groups should check with their GP before taking sumatriptan:

  • Heavy smokers
  • Men over 40
  • Women after the menopause.

In some rare serious cases migraine headaches are associated with paralysis, loss of vision and loss of speech.

Sumatriptan is not to be used in these cases:

  • Before self medicating for headaches it is best to see a GP for a diagnosis
  • When headaches start for the first time over the age of 40
  • When headaches are getting more frequent and lasting longer
  • When headaches are different from before or there are new symptoms.

You should not use Sumatriptan tablets if:

  • You are allergic to Sumatriptan or any of the ingredients
  • You have high blood pressure
  • You have severely reduced liver function
  • You use, or have recently used, ergotamine or similar medicines (e.g. methsergide maleate) or MAO inhibitors (e.g. moclobemide or selegiline).

Sumatriptan Tablets (50mg & 100mg) FAQs

Related Treatments

We stock 16 other treatments for Migraine

Visit our Sumatriptan Tablets (50mg & 100mg) page for treatments, advice and FAQs.

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Andy Boysan

Authored by

Andy Boysan
Andy Boysan
BPharm
2047716
Director & Superintendent Pharmacist

Andy is a co-founder and the Superintendent Pharmacist and Director at The Independent Pharmacy.

Scott McDougall

Reviewed by

Scott McDougall
Scott McDougall
MPharm
2079324
Director & Registered Manager

Scott is one of the two founders of The Independent Pharmacy. He is a registered pharmacist and the registered manager of our service with the CQC.