DRUG NAME

Imitrex (Imitrex/Sumatriptan)

MORE INFORMATION

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop using Imitrex/sumatriptan and seek emergency medical attention:

• sudden or severe stomach pain;
• or unusual weakness or numbness.
• chest, jaw, or neck pain or tightness;
• problems seeing;
• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• severe or prolonged chest pain or an irregular heartbeat;

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.

Continue to use Imitrex/sumatriptan and talk to your doctor if you experience

• unpleasant taste in the mouth (nasal spray);
• nasal irritation (nasal spray);
• tingling, flushing, warmth, redness, or heaviness of a body part;
• nausea;
• drowsiness or dizziness;
• or injection site discomfort (injection).

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

The following side effects can occur when taking imitrex:

• drowsiness.
• fatigue,
• dizziness,
• nausea,

HOW TAKEN

When you have migraine simptoms, take one dose of imitrex. In some cases two doses, but not more than 200 mg a day, can be taken only if instructed by your personal healthcare practitioner.

MISSED DOSE

Since Imitrex/sumatriptan is used to treat migraines or cluster headaches, as they occur, and not to prevent them, missing a dose is not a problem. Use only the doses you need, according to your doctor's instructions.

WARNINGS/PRECAUTIONS

If you have any of the following conditions you should not take imitrex:

• certain types of heart disease,
• allergy to Imitrex,
• strokes in the past,
• peripheral vascular disease.
• Raynaud syndrome,
• uncontrolled blood pressure,
• transient ischemic attacks,

You should consult your personal doctor before taking this medicine if you

• have high cholesterole or high blood pressure,
• smoke,
• diabetes.

STORAGE

Should be stored at room temperature away from heat and light. Keep your medicine away from the reach of children.

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM

Imitrex/Sumatriptan is an antimigraine medicine. Migraine headaches are believed to result from dilatation of the blood vessels in the head. Imitrex/Sumatriptan causes constriction of the blood vessels, thus relieving migraine headache. While it is very effective in relieving migraine, it does not prevent or reduce the number of attacks of migraine.

DRUG USES

Imitrex is used to treat migraine headaches.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.