Sumatriptan
Sumatriptan is a triptan used to treat migraine and cluster headaches, sold here as 25mg, 50mg and 100mg tablets under the Sumatriptan and Imitrex names.
Sumatriptan
Sumatriptan
25/50/100mg
Sumatriptan 25mg, 50mg and 100mg tablets for migraine attacks, taken as soon as the headache starts to ease pain, nausea and light sensitivity, in packs to suit regular or occasional use.
What sumatriptan treats
Sumatriptan is a triptan, one of a small group of medicines made for migraine attacks. It eases the headache itself and the rest of an attack — nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound — and it is used for cluster headaches too, the attacks of severe pain that settle around one eye. It does not prevent migraines; taken between attacks it changes nothing about how often they come. Sumatriptan also comes as a nasal spray and a self-injected pen, though the products here are tablets.
The tablets act on blood vessels and nerve signals inside the head, which is why they help a migraine that has already started rather than an everyday tension headache.
Taking a tablet when a migraine starts
Swallow one whole with water at the first sign of an attack; the earlier in an attack it goes in, the better it tends to work. Some people feel it working within 30 minutes, for others it takes up to 2 hours. Food makes no difference.
If the migraine eases and then returns two hours or more later, a second tablet is fine. If the first tablet did nothing, a second will not rescue it. Two tablets in 24 hours is the usual limit.
Using sumatriptan — or any other migraine painkiller — on more than 10 days a month can leave you with more headaches, not fewer, so frequent attacks need a different plan.
Imitrex or plain sumatriptan?
The two listings on this page hold the same medicine in the same three strengths. Imitrex and Sumatriptan are both tablets, 25mg, 50mg and 100mg, so the name on the pack is what separates them. Whichever you pick, 100mg is the largest single tablet in the range.
Side effects and what to keep in mind
After a dose you might flush, tingle, run hot or cold, or feel tired, dizzy, sick or achy. A tight, heavy chest or throat is common too and usually fades within the hour. Don't drive until the dizziness lifts.
Call an ambulance for a swollen throat or tongue with a rash or wheeze, or for chest pain that crushes rather than tightens. Both are rare.
Sumatriptan does not mix with other migraine medicines: another triptan or an ergotamine-type medicine within 24 hours is out. MAO-A inhibitors, an older kind of antidepressant, are also a problem, and SSRIs or SNRIs can interact with it. It is not for people who have had a heart attack, stroke or mini-stroke, or who have heart, liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure, or circulation problems such as peripheral arterial disease.
Keep the tablets in their blister pack somewhere cool and dry, and check the expiry date before you rely on them.
Sources
- Sumatriptan: MedlinePlus Drug Information — MedlinePlus / U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Sumatriptan: medicine for migraines and cluster headaches - NHS — NHS UK
Where can I buy Sumatriptan in Hong Kong?
Sumatriptan can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong. The range covers Sumatriptan tablets in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg and generic Imitrex tablets in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg, with more listed on the page. Tracked courier delivery to Hong Kong takes 5 to 9 business days and comes with online tracking.
How much do Sumatriptan products cost in Hong Kong?
Prices vary between the two sumatriptan products and between pack sizes. Every product page lists its current prices in HKD or in the currency you choose.
Do I need a prescription to order Sumatriptan?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order sumatriptan. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What are the brand names for sumatriptan?
Imitrex is a brand name of sumatriptan, which is also sold as Imigran. Here, sumatriptan can be bought online as generic Imitrex and sumatriptan tablets. These are generics, not the original brand.
How long does sumatriptan take to work?
It can begin to ease a migraine within about 30 minutes, though some attacks take up to 2 hours to respond. If the headache lifts and then returns two hours or more after your first tablet, you can take a second one. A tablet that has done nothing after two hours is not worth repeating.
What is the difference between Imitrex and sumatriptan?
Nothing in the ingredient list — Imitrex is the brand name, and sumatriptan is the same medicine sold under its generic name. Both are tablets in 25mg, 50mg and 100mg. What differs is the name on the box, not the active ingredient or the strengths.
Can I take sumatriptan for an ordinary headache?
No. Sumatriptan is meant for migraine and cluster headaches, and it does not act on tension headaches or other everyday pain the way paracetamol or ibuprofen do. It also cannot stop a migraine from starting — it only treats an attack that has already begun.
Should I swallow sumatriptan tablets whole?
Yes — take one with a glass of water rather than chewing or crushing it. You can take it on an empty stomach or after a meal; food does not change how well it works. If you often feel sick with a migraine, plain water is still the easiest way to take it.