What Is Sumatriptan Tablets Used For

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

Sumatriptan is a type of medicine also called as ‘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 is thought that it occurs due to changes in the levels of chemicals in the brain. Migraine headaches appear because of 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 to 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 keep these precautions in mind if your doctor or health provider has prescribed Sumatriptan oral tablet for you.

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 checkup 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 right away if you are experiencing any signs of a serious allergic reaction.

Important warnings you should keep in mind

Arrhythmias: Taking Sumatriptan can cause your heart rhythm fast, which can be dangerous. In such case, if you feel changes in your heart beats, stop taking this medication and contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Heart attack: Sumatriptan tablet may cause serious heart problems such as heart attack, chest pain, or cardiac arrest. If you’re experiencing any such heart problem or being 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 heart attack. In such condition, if you have this symptom, call your doctor immediately.