Migraine attacks can cause intense head pain and other symptoms that may make it hard to go about your day. Sumatriptan is a medication that treats migraine attacks while they’re happening by helping reduce symptoms such as headache pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound.

Although how well medications work can vary from person to person, research suggests that sumatriptan is often more effective than nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other medications commonly taken during migraine attacks.

While sumatriptan won’t prevent a migraine attack from occurring, taking it early — when symptoms first begin — may improve your chances of relief. In this article, you’ll learn how sumatriptan works to treat migraine attacks and what to know before using it.

How Sumatriptan Treats Migraine Attacks

Sumatriptan belongs to a class of medications called triptans, a group of drugs used to treat migraine attacks. Your doctor might prescribe sumatriptan or other triptans for migraine attacks if over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications don’t provide enough relief. They may recommend taking a triptan alongside an NSAID if the triptan only partially reduces your symptoms.

If one triptan stops working for you or doesn’t reduce symptoms in the first place, another triptan may be more effective. You might need to try a few before finding one that works. Triptans only treat migraine attacks. They’re not effective for managing other pain or in preventing future migraine attacks.

Triptans act on serotonin receptors on blood vessels in the brain. In doing so, they work against migraine attacks in two specific ways:

• Narrowing blood vessels — When triptans bind to serotonin receptors on blood vessels in your brain, they cause those blood vessels to constrict (narrow). Dilated (widened) blood vessels are thought to contribute to migraine headache pain.
• Reducing pain signals — During a migraine attack, your trigeminal nerves release inflammatory proteins. Sumatriptan blocks the release of these proteins and reduces pain signals from the trigeminal nerve that cause headache.

Forms of Sumatriptan for Migraine

One key benefit of sumatriptan is that there are multiple ways to take it, so you can choose the one that sounds most tolerable for you. For example, if your migraine attacks involve vomiting, you might opt for the nasal spray or injection instead of oral tablets that might not stay down. There are also differences in how fast each form works.

Oral Tablets

If you choose to take sumatriptan oral tablets, you should swallow them with water during a migraine attack. You don’t need to take them with food. But, as always, you should follow your doctor’s instructions on when and how much you should take. They might tell you it’s OK to take another dose if your migraine attack returns later, but you shouldn’t take more than 300 milligrams in a 24-hour period. Sumatriptan tablets usually work within 30 minutes to one hour.

Nasal Spray

Sumatriptan nasal spray is available in lower doses than oral tablets, but it may be absorbed more quickly through the nasal lining. The nasal spray typically starts working within 15 minutes after you spray it up your nostril. Sumatriptan nasal spray can also treat cluster headaches, which are closely related to migraine headaches.

Injections

Subcutaneous injections are shots given just under the skin. They often use a lower dose than tablets because the medicine is absorbed quickly and doesn’t have to go through your stomach.

Sumatriptan injections are typically the fastest and most effective form of this medicine. They can start working in as little as 10 minutes. Like the nasal spray, they also used to treat cluster headaches.

Sumatriptan comes in an auto-injector, which lets you give yourself the shot automatically with the push of a button. It’s also available as a prefilled pen that you have to inject manually. Your doctor will show you how and when to use it.

Possible Side Effects

It’s important to be aware of the side effects you might experience while taking sumatriptan. Most side effects are minor and should go away on their own. Your risk of experiencing sumatriptan side effects varies based on your age, overall health, and other factors. You should call your doctor if they last for a long time or concern you in any way.

Common side effects include:

• Dizziness
• Abdominal pain
• Tingling or burning sensations anywhere on your body
• Nausea
• Changes in heart rate
• Shaking
• Chills
• Drowsiness
• Irritation at the injection site (if you take a sumatriptan injection)
• Nasal irritation, including nosebleeds (if you take the nasal spray)

When To Seek Immediate Care

More serious side effects and complications are rare but also possible while taking sumatriptan. Some of these may signal a medical emergency, so you shouldn’t ignore them. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience:

• Bloody diarrhea
• Vomiting blood
• Trouble breathing
• A feeling like you’re going to pass out (due to low blood pressure)
• Arm and leg weakness
• Signs of an allergic reaction, including chest tightness, hives, and swelling of the face or throat leading to throat tightness
• Chest pain

Like other medications commonly taken for acute migraine attacks, sumatriptan can cause a medication overuse headache if you take too much of it or take it too often. Avoid taking sumatriptan or any other triptans for more than 10 days a month to minimize your risk of medication overuse headaches.

Taking Sumatriptan Safely

Your doctor can give you a complete list of precautions before you take sumatriptan for migraine attacks. You must tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take, as some medications can negatively interact with sumatriptan. You should also list any known allergies to your doctor ahead of time.

Because dizziness and drowsiness affect some people who take sumatriptan, you must be careful to avoid any activities that require full alertness while you’re on it until you know how it will affect you. Don’t drive or operate other heavy machinery until you feel fully alert again.

Although alcohol won’t make sumatriptan less effective, it can worsen side effects like drowsiness. Alcohol can also trigger further migraine attacks, so it’s best to avoid alcohol while taking sumatriptan.

Who Shouldn’t Take Sumatriptan

Sumatriptan and other triptans constrict your blood vessels, so it’s important to avoid taking them if you have a history of heart disease. Your doctor may recommend alternative acute migraine attack treatments if you have any health conditions that may react poorly to the medication, including:

• Uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure)
• History of stroke
• History of heart attack
• Angina (heart-related chest pain)
• High cholesterol
• Lactose allergy
• Sulphur allergy
• Allergy to sumatriptan

Your doctor might advise against taking sumatriptan for migraine attacks if you’re pregnant or currently breastfeeding. Your family health history, particularly with regards to heart disease, may also affect your ability to use sumatriptan safely.

Talk to Your Doctor

Your doctor can explain how to use sumatriptan safely and answer your questions. If you have frequent or chronic migraines, it can take time to find a treatment regimen that works well for you. If you don’t feel much better after taking sumatriptan for migraine attacks, your doctor may recommend another triptan. In addition to triptans or other medications, your doctor may recommend making changes to your eating habits and avoiding known migraine attack triggers.

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