Generic Name: sumatriptan (injection) (soo ma TRIP tan)
Brand Names: Alsuma, Imitrex, Imitrex Statdose, Imitrex Statdose Refill, Sumavel DosePro
What is sumatriptan injection?
Sumatriptan is a headache medicine that narrows blood vessels around the brain. Sumatriptan also reduces substances in the body that can trigger headache pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other migraine symptoms.
Sumatriptan is used to treat migraine headaches and cluster headaches. Sumatriptan will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.
Sumatriptan should not be used to treat a common tension headache, a headache that causes loss of movement on one side of your body, or any headache that seems to be different from your usual migraine headaches. Use this medication only if your condition has been confirmed by a doctor as migraine headaches.
Sumatriptan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about sumatriptan injection?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to sumatriptan, if you have any history of heart disease, or if you have coronary heart disease, angina, blood circulation problems, lack of blood supply to the heart, uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe liver disease, ischemic bowel disease, a history of a heart attack or stroke, or if your headache seems to be different from your usual migraine headaches. Do not use sumatriptan within 24 hours before or after using another migraine headache medicine, including sumatriptan tablets or nasal spray, almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), rizatriptan (Maxalt), naratriptan (Amerge), zolmitriptan (Zomig), or ergot medicine such as dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Migergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), or methylergonovine (Methergine). Do not use sumatriptan if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
Before using sumatriptan, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, seizures, high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder, or coronary heart disease (or risk factors such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high cholesterol, having a family history of coronary artery disease, being older than 40 and a man, or being a woman who has had a hysterectomy).
Also tell your doctor if you are taking an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor).
Sumatriptan will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.
After using a sumatriptan injection, you must wait one (1) hour before using a second injection. Do not use more than two injections in 24 hours.
What should I discuss with my health care provider before using sumatriptan injection?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to sumatriptan, or if you have:
coronary heart disease, angina (chest pain), blood circulation problems, lack of blood supply to the heart;
a history of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke, including "mini-stroke";
severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
- severe liver disease;
ischemic bowel disease; or
a headache that seems different from your usual migraine headaches.
Do not use sumatriptan if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
To make sure you can safely use sumatriptan, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
- liver disease;
- kidney disease;
epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder; or
coronary heart disease (or risk factors such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high cholesterol, having a family history of coronary artery disease, being older than 40 and a man, or being a woman who has had a hysterectomy).
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether sumatriptan will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.
Your name may need to be listed on a sumatriptan pregnancy registry when you start using this medication.
Sumatriptan can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not breast-feed within 12 hours after using a sumatriptan injection. If you use a breast pump during this time, throw out any milk you collect. Do not feed it to your baby. This medicine should not be given to anyone under 18 or over 65 years of age.
How should I use sumatriptan injection?
Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Overuse of migraine headache medicine can actually make your headaches worse.
Sumatriptan is injected under the skin. You may be shown how to use injections at home. Do not self inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Use sumatriptan as soon as you notice headache symptoms, or after an attack has already begun.
Your doctor may want to give your first dose of this medicine in a hospital or clinic setting to see if you have any serious side effects.
Sumatriptan injection comes in a vial (bottle), in a prefilled cartridge to be loaded into an auto-injector syringe (Imitrex Statdose), or in a needle-free injector device (Sumavel DosePro). Each vial, cartridge, or needle-free device is for one use only.
After using an injection: If your headache does not completely go away after the injection, call your doctor before using a second sumatriptan injection. If your headache goes away and then comes back, you may use a second injection if it has been at least one hour since your first injection. Do not use more than two (2) injections in 24 hours. If your symptoms do not improve, contact your doctor before using any more injections.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date on the label has passed.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since sumatriptan is used as needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule. Call your doctor promptly if your symptoms do not improve after using sumatriptan.
After using a sumatriptan injection, you must wait one (1) hour before using a second injection. Do not use more than two (2) injections in 24 hours.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include tremors or shaking, skin redness, breathing problems, blue-colored lips or fingernails, vision problems, watery eyes or mouth, weakness, lack of coordination, or seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while using sumatriptan injection?
Do not use sumatriptan within 24 hours before or after using another migraine headache medicine, including:
sumatriptan tablets or nasal spray, almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or
ergot medicine such as dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Migergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), or methylergonovine (Methergine).
Sumatriptan may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Sumatriptan injection side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using sumatriptan and call your doctor if you have a serious side effect such as:
feeling of pain or tightness in your jaw, neck, or throat;
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
sudden and severe stomach pain and bloody diarrhea;
seizure (convulsions);
numbness or tingling and a pale or blue-colored appearance in your fingers or toes; or
(if you are also taking an antidepressant) -- agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting.
Less serious side effects may include:
mild headache (not a migraine);
pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body;
discomfort in your nose or throat;
dizziness, spinning sensation;
muscle pain, neck pain or stiffness;
warmth, redness, or mild tingling under your skin; or
pain, redness, bleeding, swelling, or bruising where you injected the medicine.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect sumatriptan injection?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor).
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with sumatriptan. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More Alsuma resources
- Alsuma Side Effects (in more detail)
- Alsuma Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Alsuma Drug Interactions
- Alsuma Support Group
- 0 Reviews for Alsuma - Add your own review/rating
Compare Alsuma with other medications
- Cluster Headaches
- Migraine
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about sumatriptan.
See also: Alsuma side effects (in more detail)
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