sumatriptan succinate at a glance
Medicine class
Selective serotonin receptor agonist, commonly called a triptan.
Usual role
Acute treatment of migraine; subcutaneous products can also treat cluster headache.
Prevention
It does not prevent migraine or cluster-headache attacks.
What is sumatriptan succinate used for?
Licensed uses represented by the selected products are:
Tablets: acute treatment of clearly diagnosed migraine attacks, with or without aura.
Subcutaneous injection: acute treatment of clearly diagnosed migraine attacks, with or without aura.
Subcutaneous injection: acute treatment of cluster headache.
How does sumatriptan succinate work?
Sumatriptan activates selected serotonin receptors on cranial blood vessels and trigeminal nerves. This constricts dilated cranial vessels and reduces trigeminal signalling involved in headache, nausea and sensitivity to light or sound.
sumatriptan succinate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 50 mg, 100 mg
Injection
Route: Parenteral
Strengths: 3 mg/0.5 mL, 6 mg/0.5 mL
How to take sumatriptan succinate
Use only for a diagnosed attack and follow the product leaflet and prescriber's directions. It is not intended for routine prevention or for use during aura alone before headache develops.
Swallow tablets whole with water; they may be taken with or without food.
Give injection only under the skin using the supplied pre-filled device or auto-injector.
Read the device instructions before use and dispose of used needles or pens safely.
Do not inject sumatriptan into a vein.
sumatriptan succinate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dizziness, drowsiness or altered sensation such as tingling
- Nausea or vomiting, which may also be caused by the attack
- Temporary flushing or sensations of heat or cold
- Temporary pressure, heaviness, pain or tightness
- Weakness or tiredness
- Shortness of breath
- Pain, bruising or swelling at an injection site
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe, increasing or persistent chest or throat pain or tightness
- Signs of a heart attack, abnormal rhythm or reduced circulation
- Stroke-like symptoms or a seizure
- Severe allergic reaction
- Serotonin syndrome, particularly with serotonergic medicines
- Severe abdominal pain or bloody diarrhoea suggesting ischaemic colitis
sumatriptan succinate in pregnancy
Available evidence does not show that sumatriptan harms the developing baby, although uncertainty remains. A doctor should review whether its expected benefit outweighs possible risk, particularly when treatment is being started or migraine symptoms have changed during pregnancy.
sumatriptan succinate while breastfeeding
NHS advice considers sumatriptan compatible with breastfeeding when the baby is healthy because only very small amounts enter milk. Seek specialist advice for a premature or unwell infant, or if the baby feeds poorly, becomes unusually sleepy or develops gastrointestinal symptoms.
sumatriptan succinate interactions
Check all prescribed, pharmacy and herbal products before using sumatriptan.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
Concurrent or recent use is contraindicated because it can substantially increase sumatriptan exposure.
Ergotamine and related ergot medicines
Do not use together because excessive blood-vessel constriction and coronary vasospasm may occur.
Common questions about sumatriptan succinate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Can sumatriptan succinate prevent migraines?
No. It treats an attack after it has begun and is not licensed as preventive treatment.
Can sumatriptan succinate tablets treat cluster headaches?
The selected tablets are licensed for migraine only. Selected subcutaneous injections are licensed for both migraine and cluster headache.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.