Zembrace SymTouch (Sumatriptan Succinate) for Migraine

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

How Zembrace SymTouch Works and How It’s Taken

Zembrace SymTouch is a type of medication called a triptan. It works by activating serotonin receptors on blood vessels and pain-signaling nerves in the head. This can narrow blood vessels and reduce the release of chemicals that promote pain and inflammation.

Doctors prescribe Zembrace SymTouch when adults who have been diagnosed with migraine need acute treatment for migraine headaches with or without aura.

Zembrace SymTouch is given as an injection under the skin, typically when a migraine attack starts. With proper training and guidance, people can use the single-dose auto-injector at home.

Typical Dosing for Migraine

The recommended dose of Zembrace SymTouch for migraine is 3 milligrams injected under the skin. If needed, you may use a second dose of Zembrace SymTouch at least one hour after the first dose. Do not take more than a total of 12 milligrams of Zembrace SymTouch in a 24-hour period.

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

Zembrace SymTouch Side Effects

In clinical trials of sumatriptan injection for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults, the most common side effects occurred in about 5 percent to 59 percent of people. They include:

Injection site reactions, such as pain, discoloration, swelling, or irritation where the shot is given
Tingling
Dizziness or vertigo (feeling dizzy or like the room is spinning)
Warm or hot sensation
Burning sensation
Feeling of heaviness
Pressure sensation
Flushing
Feeling of tightness
Paresthesia (numbness or “pins-and-needles” feelings)

Serious Side Effects and Warnings

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

Heart problems — Heart attack and coronary artery spasm can occur and may cause chest pain, shortness of breath, or other heart symptoms.
Serious heart rhythm problems — Dangerous changes in heartbeat can be life-threatening.
Chest, throat, neck, or jaw pain, tightness, pressure, or heaviness — These sensations can happen after dosing and may sometimes be related to the heart.
Stroke or other blood flow problems in the brain — A sudden brain blood vessel problem can cause weakness, trouble speaking, or other sudden symptoms.
Other blood vessel spasms — Reduced blood flow to the arms or legs, stomach and intestines, or spleen can occur, as can Raynaud’s syndrome, which can cause pain, numbness, or color changes, often in fingers or toes.
Serotonin syndrome — This potentially dangerous reaction can happen when serotonin levels get too high.
Increased blood pressure — Blood pressure may rise during treatment, sometimes severely.
Severe allergic reactions — Angioedema and anaphylaxis can cause swelling, trouble breathing, hives, or a life-threatening allergic reaction.
Seizures — Convulsions have been reported after sumatriptan use.
Medication overuse headaches — Some people who use too many Zembrace SymTouch injections may have worse headaches.

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

What To Know Before Taking Zembrace SymTouch

Before starting Zembrace SymTouch, your doctor may do a heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) check if you are new to triptans and have multiple risk factors for heart disease.

Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to sumatriptan succinate or any ingredients in Zembrace SymTouch. Do not take Zembrace SymTouch if you have a serious allergy to sumatriptan.

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take antidepressant medicines called:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
Serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

Do not take Zembrace SymTouch if you have:

Heart problems or a history of heart problems
Narrowing of blood vessels to your legs, arms, stomach, or kidney (peripheral vascular disease)
Uncontrolled high blood pressure
Hemiplegic migraine or basilar migraine
Had a stroke, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or problems with your blood circulation
Severe liver problems
Taken an ergot-containing medicine, an ergot-type medicine, or another triptan within the last 24 hours

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding while taking Zembrace SymTouch, talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits. Zembrace SymTouch passes into breast milk. It is not known if this can harm your baby.

If you are breastfeeding, you can reduce your baby’s exposure to the medicine by avoiding breastfeeding for 12 hours after a dose.

Community FAQs

These answers are fact-checked by our editorial staff.

How effective is Zembrace SymTouch?

In a clinical trial of people treating a single migraine attack, 46 percent of people who used Zembrace SymTouch were pain-free two hours after the first dose, compared with 27 percent of people who used placebo (an inactive treatment).

How long does Zembrace SymTouch take to work for migraine?

Zembrace SymTouch may start to relieve migraine symptoms as early as 10 minutes after first-dose treatment. In a clinical study, 46 percent of people who used Zembrace SymTouch were pain-free two hours after their first dose.

What tests or monitoring are needed with Zembrace SymTouch for migraine?

People who have never used a triptan and have multiple cardiovascular risk factors should have a cardiovascular evaluation before receiving Zembrace SymTouch. Older adults with other cardiovascular risk factors are also recommended to have a cardiovascular evaluation before use. Blood pressure should be monitored during treatment.