Sumatriptan causes the blood vessels in the brain to contract. As some of the changes that occur in the brain to trigger a migraine attack are believed to involve the blood vessels widening, Sumatriptan helps reverse this process and relieve the symptoms of migraine. Sumatriptan effectively stimulates serotonin receptors in the brain, which cause the muscles surrounding the blood vessels in the brain to contract. Sumatriptan also stabilises some of the chemical changes that occur in the brain during a migraine attack. The active ingredient is sumatriptan succinate.

Sumatriptan usually starts to work after 30 minutes, therefore it is important to take it as soon as possible after a migraine has started.

Each tablet contains either 50mg or 100mg of Sumatriptan, depending on the strength you choose. They also contain standard inactive ingredients that are used to make up the tablet to the right size and agents in the manufacturing and tableting process.

Sumatriptan is the medicine that is contained in Imigran tablets. Sumatriptan is now available as a generic treatment after the patent on Imigran expired. Generic Sumatriptan 50mg & 100mg tablets are available to buy significantly cheaper than the branded Imigran tablets. When a medicine is first introduced on to the market it is given a licence or patent. Only that manufacturer can produce it. When the patent expires, other companies can produce the treatment as well, usually leading to a dramatic drop in the price due to increased competition. Generic treatments are still produced by licensed manufacturers and must conform to the same strict manufacturing standards that the branded medicines meet.

Sumatriptan, and other ‘triptans’, are used to treat acute attacks of migraine. They work by reversing the widened blood vessels in the brain that cause migraines. For this reason they should only be used to treat existing, or oncoming, migraines and not to prevent them. Sumatriptan tablets will not be effective in preventing migraines that have not occurred yet and may even contribute to making your headaches/migraines worse due to overuse if they are used as a preventative treatment.

Although it helps to relieve migraines, Sumatriptan is not a painkiller. It will help to relieve migraines and therefore the pain that is associated with it, however this is a secondary effect. Sumatriptan can be used alongside traditional painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen if extra pain relief is necessary whilst the Sumatriptan is taking effect.

Sumatriptan can relieve symptoms from regular headaches.

There are no specific requirements to take Sumatriptan with, or without, food. It is best to take it as soon as possible when a migraine starts as often nausea or sickness can kick in, or digestion can slow down, meaning that the tablet can be harder to take or could be less effective.

None of these should have any effect on Sumatriptan. You may want to avoid alcohol during a migraine as this could possibly make it worse. Although Sumatriptan is not affected by the contraceptive pill, migraines can be linked to hormonal changes during your period.

There is currently no information or clinical research available to establish whether Sumatriptan is safe or unsafe to use during pregnancy. The few studies that have been carried out suggest that the medication will not increase risk of complications, but the effects of Sumatriptan during pregnancy need to be researched further before it can be safely recommended for use by pregnant women.

As with Sumatriptan use during pregnancy, there is currently not enough clinical research to establish whether the medication is safe to use while breastfeeding. It is thought, however, that the quantity of Sumatriptan that gets absorbed into breast milk is such a tiny dose that it is very unlikely to even enter your infant’s system, let alone cause any health concerns.

There is currently no research that has established any potential risks to a pregnancy when a father has taken Sumatriptan to treat migraines before or around conception. However, it is thought very unlikely that Sumatriptan taken by the father will have any negative effect on the unborn child or increase risks to a pregnancy.

Sumatriptan can make you feel tired or sleepy. If this happens, avoid driving or using heavy machinery for your own safety.

Yes, you can take Sumatriptan with paracetamol or ibuprofen at the same time.

Yes, as long as you are buying from a website that is a legally operating and regulated pharmacy it is perfectly safe to buy Sumatriptan online. Our partner has all the necessary regulations to be able to safely provide convenient access to genuine prescription treatments through an Online Pharmacy & Online Doctor.

Common side effects can include:

• Feeling warm or cold
• Hot flushes
• Tingling or prickling sensations in your skin
• Pressure or pain in your chest, neck, jaw, or throat
• Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting) — however, this may also be due to the migraine itself
• Tiredness or drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Feeling weak
• Temporary increase in blood pressure
• Shortness of breath

You should always call your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects from any medication, including Sumatriptan. If you feel like your symptoms are dangerous or life-threatening, you should call emergency services.

Rare serious side effects can include:

• Heart attack or other cardiovascular issues: symptoms include chest pain, shoulder pain, fast heart rate, irregular heartbeat, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, weakness, excessive sweating
• Other chest problems: tightness, heaviness, pressure or pain in the chest or throat
• Serotonin syndrome: Agitation, restlessness, confusion, hallucinations, fast heart rate, shaking, excessive sweating, dilated pupils, rigid or twitching muscles, nausea or diarrhoea
• Digestive problems: nausea, vomiting, pain in your abdomen (stomach area), diarrhoea or bloody diarrhoea
• Stroke or brain haemorrhage: headache, drooping face, difficulties speaking, numbness, weakness on one side of your body, loss of balance
• Mental health: confusion, agitation, hallucinations, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself