Unlike other pain-relief medicines, triptans are only meant to treat migraines and related headache types. As a first-line rescue medication for migraine attacks, triptans are taken on an as-needed basis. They don’t prevent migraine attacks before they start, so they’re not taken on a regular schedule.

According to a study that compared 17 different oral medications for migraine attacks, triptans were the most effective type of acute medication for adults with migraine.

If you’ve ever wondered how triptans work, read on to learn what they do and when to take them.

How Do Triptans Work To Treat Migraine Attacks?

Different triptans work in slightly different ways. If one triptan doesn’t improve your symptoms during a migraine attack, there’s a strong chance another triptan will work better for you.

Your doctor might prescribe sumatriptan (sold under brand names including Imitrex, Onzetra Xsail, and Tosymra) first, then potentially recommend trying others.

Other triptans include:

• Almotriptan
• Eletriptan (Relpax)
• Frovatriptan (Frova)
• Rizatriptan (Maxalt)
• Zolmitriptan (Zomig)

Generally, triptans take two main actions inside your brain to reduce symptoms during a migraine attack. They narrow blood vessels and reduce pain signals.

Narrowing Blood Vessels

Doctors believe migraine attacks change the way blood flows inside your brain by widening blood vessels, though they don’t believe these blood vessel changes directly cause the pain. However, these changes may contribute to migraine headache pain in some way.

Triptans activate proteins called serotonin receptors on cells that control blood vessel width, signaling those blood vessels to constrict (get narrower). This may help reduce migraine headaches.

Reducing Pain Signals

Doctors now believe that the main way triptans reduce migraine attack symptoms is by reducing pain signals and affecting the way you feel pain.

Triptans activate serotonin receptors in your brain to reduce pain signals from nerves. They also stop nerves in your brain from releasing certain neurotransmitters involved in pain signaling.

When Should You Take Triptans?

As rescue medications, triptans are meant to be taken during migraine attacks to stop them when they’re happening. They tend to work best when you take them as soon as you feel a migraine headache starting.

Later, if your symptoms continue, you may take another dose. For most types of triptans, you shouldn’t take more than two doses in a 24-hour period. Medication doses vary, so always follow your doctor’s instructions.

How Often Can You Take Triptans?

Taking too many triptans, or using them too often to manage migraine headaches, can reduce their effectiveness and cause more side effects. Taking triptans too often can also cause more frequent and more severe migraine headaches, known as medication overuse headaches (or rebound headaches).

You can lower your risk of overuse headaches by limiting your use of rescue medications to 10 or fewer days per month.

How Do You Take Triptans?

Oral pills or tablets are the most common ways to take triptans. However, some triptans are available in other forms that may work faster to stop a migraine attack. Sumatriptan and zolmitriptan are both available as a nasal spray.

You can also find sumatriptan as a subcutaneous injection (a shallow injection that goes under the surface of your skin). No matter which type you get, only take it exactly as your doctor tells you to.

How Do People Respond to Triptans?

Not everyone will have the same experience when taking triptans to treat migraine attacks. However, research shows that triptans are favored over other migraine rescue medications.

A study of more than 278,000 people living with migraine determined that triptans were five to six times more effective than ibuprofen, which is a common over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

The top three most effective triptans in the study (eletriptan, sumatriptan, and zolmitriptan) improved migraine attack symptoms over 70 percent of the time.

Common Side Effects

Like all medications, triptans can cause side effects. The most common side effects from triptans include:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Tingling, prickling, or numbness in your hands and feet
• Sweating

In general, triptans are well tolerated. If your side effects continue as you adjust to taking a triptan, or if they’re bothersome, your doctor may recommend a different triptan or another medication instead.

When To Get Medical Attention

Serious side effects from triptans are extremely rare, affecting under 1 percent of people who use triptans to manage migraine attacks. Still, it’s important to be aware of them so you can recognize them if they occur.

Call your doctor right away if you experience any symptoms that remind you of a heart attack or stroke, including:

• Chest discomfort or pain
• A heart rhythm that feels too fast, too slow, or irregular
• A pounding heart
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness or numbness on one side of your face and body
• Speech difficulties

Tell your doctor if any of these occur. It’s especially important to get medical help if you have a history of stroke or heart problems.

What MyMigraineTeam Members Say

On MyMigraineTeam, members have shared a range of experiences with taking triptans, along with occasional encouragement. Here’s what they’ve said:

• “The doctor put me on sumatriptan, which makes me feel funny. I don’t know if it’s helping or making things worse.”
• “Migraine with aura this morning. Sumatriptan stopped the pain.”
• “I had a migraine for two days. Finally had some relief this morning after taking Tylenol and eletriptan.”
• “On zolmitriptan now. It works amazingly! Pain all gone, just slightly dazed feeling.”
• “I awoke with a migraine and finally took my zolmitriptan. It took quite a while to work. Keep positive, friends!”

Taking Triptans Safely

Triptans can be effective rescue medications for migraine attacks, but they’re not the safest or most effective options for everyone. Your doctor will weigh the risks and benefits of triptans before prescribing them to you.

Make sure your migraine specialist is aware of all your current medications and supplements so they can help you avoid any negative drug interactions while taking triptans.

Who Shouldn’t Take Triptans?

Certain health conditions can make it less safe to take triptans to treat migraine attacks. Your doctor might recommend other treatments for your migraine attacks if you:

• Have a history of heart disease
• Have unmanaged high blood pressure
• Have peripheral artery disease
• Have kidney disease
• Have liver disease
• Are pregnant
• Are breastfeeding

Talk to Your Doctor

If you experience debilitating migraine attacks, talk to your doctor about your best options for rescue medications. Your healthcare provider will consider your overall health and your migraine treatment history when deciding whether to prescribe triptans.

They may prescribe triptans as part of a comprehensive migraine treatment plan, which can include avoiding triggers or taking preventive medications to reduce migraine attack frequency.

Each person is different, and triptans are different, too. Before prescribing one, your doctor may ask about your migraine attack symptoms, how long your migraine attacks last, and how quickly they come on.

Keeping a headache diary can help you track your migraine attacks so you can talk about them in detail with your doctor or neurologist.

Join the Conversation

On MyMigraineTeam, people share their experiences with migraine, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What is your experience with taking triptans to manage migraine attacks? Let others know in the comments below.