Question 1

What is Sumatriptan?

Accepted Answer

Migraine headaches are thought to result from the dilatation of blood vessels. Sumatriptan constricts these blood vessels, thus relieving the migraine headache.

Sumatriptan tablet is used to treat migraine attacks with or without aura (aura is a premonition usually connected with flashes of light, serrated images, stars or waves).

Question 2

How to take Sumatriptan

Accepted Answer

Swallow the tablet whole with water. Preferably take as soon as possible after starting a migraine attack. Do not chew or crush the tablets. If you experience that the effect of Sumatriptan tablet is too strong or weak, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

If the first tablet has no effect, do not take a second dose for treatment of the same migraine attack even if the first dose would not alleviate the symptoms. Sumatriptan tablet can still be used for your next attack. If Sumatriptan tablet doesn't give you any relief, ask your doctor for advice.

If your symptoms start to come back, if the symptoms are reduced after the first dose but later return, the dose may be repeated once, in rare cases a maximum of twice, during 24 hours. But at least two hours has to be waited between the doses. A daily dose of 300 mg must not be exceeded.

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

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Question 3

Who can use Sumatriptan

Accepted Answer

Do not use Sumatriptan tablet if:

you are allergic to sumatriptan or any of the other ingredients in Sumatriptan tablet
you have a heart problem such as narrowing of the arteries (ischaemic heart disease) or chest pains (angina), or have already had a heart attack
you have had a stroke or a mini-stroke (TIA or a transient ischaemic attack)
you have blood circulation problems in the legs causing cramp-type pain when you walk (peripheral vascular disease, PVD)
you have high blood pressure or if your blood pressure remains high despite medication
you have severely reduced liver function
you use, or have recently used, medication containing ergotamine or similar medicines such as methysergide maleate (for the treatment of migraine)
you use, or have recently used, the so called MAO inhibitors (for instance moclobemide for the treatment of depression or selegiline for the treatment of Parkinson's disease)

If you feel pain or tightness in your chest after you use sumatriptan. These effects may be intense but they usually pass quickly. If they don't pass quickly, or they become severe, get medical help immediately.

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

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Question 4

Possible side effects

Accepted Answer

Like all medicines, Sumatriptan can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects may happen with this medicine, although some of the symptoms listed may have been caused by the migraine attack itself.

Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, sensory disturbances, difficulty in breathing, muscle pain, temporary increase in blood pressure (arising soon after treatment), flushing, feeling of weakness, tiredness, feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting), and pain, sensation of heat or cold, pressure, tightness or heaviness.

Allergic reaction — not known: allergic reaction of the skin; skin rash such as red spots or hives; anaphylaxis. If any allergic reactions appear, stop taking Sumatriptan tablet. Contact your doctor immediately.

For further information and a full list of possible side effects please see the patient information leaflet.

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