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Adeel Arshad

Authored on 24 January 2024 by Adeel Arshad,

Reviewed 24 January 2024 by Dr Ruch Karunadasa.

Imigran

 treatment

Imigran acts on serotonin (or 5HT) receptors that are found on blood vessels in the brain, causing them to narrow. It's also thought to inhibit the action of the trigeminal nerve. These actions relieve the headache and other symptoms that you may get with your migraine, such as feeling sick or sensitivity to light or sound..

Medication effect duration

Like any other prescription medication you must consult a doctor before using it. PrivateDoc offers a confidential free consultation service that may result in you receiving a prescription for Imigran, if it can prescribed safely.

treatment

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What is Imigran?

The cause of migraine attacks is not fully understood, but is thought to involve changes in the levels of chemicals in the brain. The throbbing pain of migraine headaches is a result of blood vessels in the brain widening or swelling. Imigran acts on serotonin (or 5HT) receptors that are found on blood vessels in the brain, causing them to narrow. It's also thought to inhibit the action of the trigeminal nerve. These actions relieve the headache and other symptoms that you may get with your migraine, such as feeling sick or sensitivity to light or sound.

Active Ingredient(s)

Sumatriptan (succinate base) 50mg

Presentation

Dispersible tablet with a film coating

Pink in colour with a triangular shape

Embossed on both sides - one side with a '50' and the other side with 'GS 1YM'

How much does Imigran cost?

Imigran medication pack

Strength

50mg 100mg

Pack size

Who can use Imigran?

Imigran can be used by adults under the age of 65

If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine. There is only limited information about the safety of Imigran for pregnant women, though up until now there is no evidence of any increased risk of birth defects. Your doctor will discuss with you whether or not you should use Imigran while you are pregnant.

Don’t breast-feed your baby for 12 hours after using Imigran. If you express any breast milk during this time, discard the milk and don’t give it to your baby.

Imigran should be used for an acute migraine attack and not as prohpylaxis therapy.


Not recommended for use in those under the age of 18 or those over the age of 65. Avoid if there is a known sensitivity to the active ingredient or any of the excipients. Patients who also suffer from any form of cardiovascular disease or those who have in the past suffered from a TIA, stroke or MI should avoid using sumatriptan.

Avoid using if you suffer from severe hepatic impairment. Patients who suffer from hypertension (severe) or moderate uncontrolled hypertension should also avoid using sumatriptan.

Do not take sumatriptan at the same time as MOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) or any other drug which acts upon the 5HT receptors such as ergotamine (& derivatives).

For further information and contraindications please see the patient information leaflet

How to take Imigran

It is best to take Imigran as soon as you feel a migraine attack coming on, although you can take it at any time during an attack. Don't use Imigran in an attempt to prevent an attack - only use it after your migraine symptoms start or at the first signs of a migraine aura. The tablets can be swallowed whole or dispersed in water before taking. If dispersed please be aware that the resulting solution has a bitter taste.

If your symptoms come back you can take a second Imigran tablet if at least 2 hours have passed since the first tablet. Don't take more than 300 mg in total in 24 hours. If the first tablet has no effect. Don’t take a second tablet or any other Imigran preparation for the same attack. Imigran can still be used for your next attack.

For further information and dosage please see the patient information leaflet.

Side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, but not everybody gets them.

Allergic reaction: get your doctor’s help straight away.

The following side effects have occurred but their exact frequency is not known. The signs of allergy include rash, hives (itchy rash), wheezing, swollen eyelids, face or lips, complete collapse. If you get any of these symptoms soon after using Imigran don’t use any more. Contact a doctor straight away. Some symptoms may be caused by the migraine itself.

Common side effects (affect up to 1 in 10 people)

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.

If these effects continue or become severe (especially the chest pain), Get medical help urgently. In a very small number of people these symptoms can be caused by a heart attack.

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 Aching muscles.

For further information and a full list of possible side effects please refer to the patient information leaflet

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