Triptans

Sumatriptan (Imigran Recovery)

Sumatriptan actually treats the root cause of the migraine, relieving the four main symptoms; headache, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. It acts on specific parts of the brain that respond to a naturally ocurring substance within the brain called serotonin, which is understood to be implicated in migraine attacks.

Ask your pharmacist for further information on sumatriptan to confirm if it is suitable for you.

Don’t take sumatriptan:

• Unless you suffer from migraines and this has been confirmed by a doctor or pharmacist


• If you are trying to prevent a migraine attack – only take it when your migraine headache begins


• Until you are sure it is a migraine and not just an regular headache


• If you are under 18 or over 65


• If you have had an allergic reaction to sumatriptan, or any ingredients in the tablets, or to sulphonamide antibiotics


• If you have heart problems including heart failure, a previous heart attack, angina (chest pains), or an irregular heartbeat


• If you have had a stroke or mini stroke (also called transient ischaemic attack or TIA)


• If you have had high blood pressure or are being treated for it


• If you have kidney or liver disease


• If you have epilepsy or are prone to seizures (fits)


• If you have circulation problems in your legs and have cramp-like pains in your legs when you walk, or if your doctor has told you that you suffer from peripheral vascular disease


• If your doctor diagnosed one of the rare forms of migraine (hemiplegic, basilar or opthalmoplegic migraine)


• If you are taking antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) e.g. phenelzine, isocarboxazid and tranylcypromine or have taken them in the last two weeks


• If you are taking other migraine treatments