What Is Sumatriptan Tablets Used For

by Marie | Dec 18, 2017 | Migraine | 0 comments

Sumatriptan is a type of medicine also called ‘triptan.’ Triptan is a group of painkillers that is specifically used to treat migraine attacks. No one knows the real cause of migraine attacks, but it is thought that it occurs due to changes in the levels of chemicals in the brain. Migraine headaches appear because of the widening or swelling of blood vessels in the brain.

Sumatriptan works on blood vessels in the brain by making them narrow. It inhibits the action of the trigeminal nerve, which relieves a headache and other symptoms of a migraine that you may get, such as feeling sick or tired, sensitivity to light or sound, etc. Sumatriptan tablets take about 30 minutes to work after taking a dose. The recommended dose of Sumatriptan for an adult is a single 50 mg tablet.

Sumatriptan doesn’t work to prevent migraines or cluster headaches. It only works once they have started. There’s no benefit in taking Sumatriptan medication during the aura phase of a migraine because it won’t help you prevent a headache from developing.

How to take Sumatriptan?

Sumatriptan tablet comes in various forms, such as a transdermal patch, a nasal spray, an injectable solution, or a nasal powder. Your dosage and how often you should take the Sumatriptan depends on these factors:

The condition of a headache that is being treated

Your age
How severe your condition is
Your reaction to the first dose
Other medical conditions you have

Precautions

You should remember these precautions if your doctor or health provider prescribes a Sumatriptan oral tablet.

You should avoid taking Sumatriptan if you have high blood pressure
You can take this medication with or without food
Do not crush or break Sumatriptan tablets
Keep this drug away from direct light
Avoid storing this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms
Do regular checkups of your blood pressure and tell your doctor if you get high results

Any serious allergic reaction to this medication is rare. However, get instant medical help immediately if you are experiencing signs of a serious allergic reaction.

Important warnings you should keep in mind.

Arrhythmias: Taking Sumatriptan can cause your heart to rate fast, which can be dangerous. If you feel changes in your heartbeats, stop taking this medication and contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Heart attack: Sumatriptan tablets may cause serious heart problems such as heart attack, chest pain, or cardiac arrest. If you’re experiencing any such heart problem or are at risk of heart disease, your doctor may suggest you take your first dose in their office so that they can monitor you.

Chest, throat, neck, or jaw pain: This medication can cause tightness, pressure, or pain in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw. This feeling can be a sign of a heart attack. Call your doctor immediately if you have this symptom in such a condition.