Tosymra (Sumatriptan) for Migraine

Tosymra (sumatriptan) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat migraine attacks, with or without aura, in adults.

How Tosymra Works and How It’s Taken

Tosymra is a type of medicine called a triptan. It works by acting on serotonin receptors in blood vessels and pain-related nerves in the head. This can narrow blood vessels and reduce the release of chemicals linked to migraine pain and inflammation.

These effects may help relieve migraine symptoms. Doctors prescribe Tosymra when an adult needs treatment for a migraine attack, with or without aura, after a clear diagnosis of migraine has been made.

Tosymra is used as a nasal spray. The recommended dose is 10 milligrams given as a single spray in one nostril.

Typical Dosing for Migraine

The recommended dose of Tosymra for migraine is 10 milligrams given as a single spray in one nostril.

If needed, additional doses may be taken at least one hour apart. The maximum total dose is 30 milligrams in 24 hours.

Tosymra may also be used at least one hour after another sumatriptan product.

This information is based on the prescribing information, but your healthcare provider may tailor your treatment plan. Always follow their guidance.

Tosymra Side Effects

In clinical studies described in Tosymra’s prescribing information, the most common side effects occurred in about 5 percent to 46 percent of people and included reactions reported with sumatriptan injection, as well as local reactions reported with Tosymra. These include:

Paresthesia (tingling or “pins-and-needles” feelings)
Numbness
Dizziness or vertigo (a spinning sensation)
Warm or hot sensations
Burning sensations
Feelings of pressure, tightness, or heaviness
Chest discomfort, tightness, pressure, or heaviness
Pain, tightness, or pressure in the neck, throat, and/or jaw
Flushing
Application site reactions (irritation where the spray is used)
Dysgeusia (a bad or unusual taste)
Throat irritation

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

Tosymra can cause serious side effects that may require immediate medical attention. These include:

Myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, and Prinzmetal’s angina — Heart problems, including heart attack and coronary artery spasm, can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, or symptoms of a heart attack.
Arrhythmias — Serious heart rhythm problems can cause a fast, irregular heartbeat.
Chest, throat, neck, and/or jaw pain, tightness, or pressure — These symptoms can occur after taking Tosymra.
Cerebrovascular events — Stroke or other blood flow problems in the brain can cause weakness or trouble speaking.
Vasospasm — Blood vessel spasms in other parts of the body can reduce blood flow to the arms, legs, stomach, intestines, or other organs.
Medication overuse headache — Headaches can get worse from using acute migraine medicines too often.
Serotonin syndrome — A dangerous reaction can cause agitation, confusion, sweating, tachycardia (fast heartbeat), fever, muscle stiffness, or shaking, especially with certain antidepressants.
Increased blood pressure — Blood pressure may rise sharply in rare cases.
Hypersensitivity reactions — Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, can cause swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, or hives.
Seizures — Convulsions can occur.
Local irritation — Irritation where the spray is used can occur.

Get medical help right away if you think you are having a serious reaction.

How To Save on Tosymra

Tonix Medicines, the manufacturer of Tosymra, offers the Savings Program. Eligible people with commercial insurance may pay as little as $0.

People with Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal or state healthcare programs are not eligible for the program.

The Tosymra Savings Program partners with BlinkRx, a digital pharmacy service that processes the savings program through a dedicated specialty pharmacy channel. To learn more, visit the Tosymra BlinkRx Terms and Conditions or call 888-869-7633.

What To Know Before Taking Tosymra

Before starting Tosymra, your doctor may check your heart if you are new to triptans and have several risk factors for heart disease. These include older age, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, or a strong family history of coronary artery disease. Older adults with these risk factors may also need a heart check before taking Tosymra.

Before you take Tosymra, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

Have high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart problems
Smoke or are overweight
Have a strong family history of coronary artery disease
Have liver problems
Have epilepsy or seizures
Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to sumatriptan or any ingredients in Tosymra.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take antidepressants, which can cause serious side effects.

Do not take Tosymra if you have:

Ischemic heart disease or coronary artery spasm, including Prinzmetal’s angina
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or certain abnormal heart rhythm disorders
A history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
Hemiplegic or basilar migraine
Peripheral vascular disease
Ischemic bowel disease
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Severe liver problems
Taken an ergot medicine or another triptan within the last 24 hours
Taken an MAO-A inhibitor within the last two weeks
Had an allergic reaction to sumatriptan

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Tosymra, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. If you breastfeed, infant exposure can be minimized by avoiding breastfeeding for 12 hours after treatment with Tosymra.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Tosymra?

Tosymra was shown to deliver sumatriptan into the body in a similar way to sumatriptan injection.

In studies of sumatriptan injection during moderate to severe migraine attacks, some people began to get relief in less than 10 minutes. Headache relief was reported in 70 percent of people within one hour after a single 6 milligram injection. Within two hours, about 82 percent had headache relief and 65 percent were pain free.

After a 10 milligram dose of Tosymra nasal spray, peak blood levels of sumatriptan were reached at a median time of 10 minutes.

How long does Tosymra take to work for migraine?

After a 10 milligram dose of Tosymra nasal spray, peak blood levels of sumatriptan were reached at a median time of 10 minutes.

In studies with sumatriptan injection for migraine, some people began to get relief in less than 10 minutes.

Can Tosymra be used with other medicines for migraine?

Some medicines should not be used with Tosymra. Do not take Tosymra within 24 hours of another triptan medicine or an ergot-containing medicine. Tosymra also should not be used with an MAO-A inhibitor or within two weeks after stopping one.

Serotonin syndrome has also been reported when triptans are used with certain antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).