1. Introduction to Sumatriptan
2. Sumatriptan: Dosages and Forms
3. Benefits of Ordering Sumatriptan Online
4. Understanding Side Effects
5. Interactions and Recommendations
6. Purchasing Sumatriptan Over-The-Counter
7. How Does Sumatriptan Work?
8. Sumatriptan Dosage Guidance
9. Diving Deeper: Understanding Migraines
10. Expert Opinions on Sumatriptan
11. Alternatives to Sumatriptan
12. Frequently Asked Questions
13. Concluding Thoughts

Introduction to Sumatriptan

Sumatriptan: Dosages and Forms

• Sumatriptan 50mg: This is the initial dose available at My Pharmacy. Typically, the 50mg variant is reserved for long-term treatment plans. These aren't used for life-threatening conditions.
• Sumatriptan 100mg: Representing the highest dose available at My Pharmacy, it's often prescribed when a rapid and potent response is required.

Benefits of Ordering Sumatriptan Online

Understanding Side Effects

• Nausea or vomiting
• Drowsiness
• Hot flushes
• Shortness of breath
• Aching muscles

Interactions and Recommendations

• Ibuprofen: Combining Sumatriptan with Ibuprofen is typically safe. However, if you're unsure, it's always recommended to consult with your physician.
• Alcohol: While Sumatriptan doesn't interact with alcohol, it's better to avoid combining them during a migraine episode.
• Pregnancy: There isn't sufficient research to guarantee safety during pregnancy. Always discuss potential risks and benefits with your doctor.

Purchasing Sumatriptan Over-The-Counter

How Does Sumatriptan Work?

Sumatriptan Dosage Guidelines

Diving Deeper: Understanding Migraines

Expert Opinions on Sumatriptan

Alternatives to Sumatriptan

1. Zolmitriptan Tablets:

• Mechanism: Like Sumatriptan, Zolmitriptan belongs to the triptan family and functions by narrowing the widened blood vessels in the brain during a migraine.
• Benefits: Available in oral and nasal forms. The nasal spray can offer faster relief than tablets for some people.
• Considerations: May not be suitable for people with certain heart conditions.

1. Maxalt Melt Orodispersible:

• Mechanism: A rizatriptan benzoate, it targets the serotonin (or 5-HT) receptors in the brain, reversing the temporary widening of blood vessels and alleviating migraine symptoms.
• Benefits: The orodispersible form dissolves in the mouth, making it convenient for those who struggle with swallowing pills.
• Considerations: Should be used with caution in patients with phenylketonuria as it contains aspartame.

1. Rizatriptan Tablets:

• Mechanism: Another member of the triptan family, Rizatriptan, acts on serotonin receptors to relieve the symptoms of migraines.
• Benefits: It's effective in relieving migraines within 2 hours for many patients.
• Considerations: It might not be as effective when taken during the aura phase of a migraine.

1. Imigran Nasal Spray:

• Mechanism: Contains Sumatriptan and offers the same mechanism of action but in a nasal delivery form.
• Benefits: Provides rapid relief due to quick absorption. Ideal for those who prefer not to or cannot swallow tablets.
• Considerations: Not recommended for patients with a history of severe allergies or sinus issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

Concluding Thoughts

Migraine

A migraine is usually a moderate or severe headache felt as a throbbing pain on one side of the head.

Many people also have symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light or sound.

Migraine is a common health condition, affecting around one in every five women and around one in every 15 men. They usually begin in early adulthood.

There are several types of migraine, including:

migraine with aura – where there are specific warning signs just before the migraine begins, such as seeing flashing lights
migraine without aura – the most common type, where the migraine occurs without the specific warning signs
migraine aura without headache, also known as silent migraine – where an aura or other migraine symptoms are experienced, but a headache doesn’t develop.

Some people have migraines frequently, up to several times a week. Other people only have a migraine occasionally. It’s possible for years to pass between migraine attacks.

When to seek medical advice
You should see your GP if you have frequent or severe migraine symptoms.

Simple painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be effective for migraine. However, be careful not to take too many painkillers as this could make it harder to treat headaches over time.

You should also make an appointment to see your GP if you have frequent migraines (on more than five days a month), even if they can be controlled with medication, as you may benefit from preventative treatment.

Causes of migraines
The exact cause of migraines is unknown, although they’re thought to be the result of temporary changes in the chemicals, nerves and blood vessels in the brain.

Around half of all people who experience migraines also have a close relative with the condition, suggesting that genes may play a role.

Triggers

Some people find migraine attacks are associated with certain triggers, which can include:

Emotional triggers:

stress
anxiety
tension
shock
depression
excitement

Physical triggers:

tiredness
poor quality sleep
shift work
poor posture
neck or shoulder tension
jet lag
low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)
strenuous exercise, if you’re not used to it
starting their period

Dietary triggers:

missed, delayed or irregular meals
dehydration
alcohol
the food additive tyramine
caffeine products, such as tea and coffee
specific foods such as chocolate, citrus fruit and cheese

Environmental triggers:

bright lights
flickering screens, such as a television or computer screen
smoking (or smoky rooms)
loud noises
changes in climate, such as changes in humidity or very cold temperatures
strong smells
a stuffy atmosphere

Treating migraines
There’s no cure for migraines, but a number of treatments are available to help reduce the symptoms.

These include:

painkillers – including over-the-counter medicationssuch as paracetamol and ibuprofen
triptans – medications that can help reverse the changes in the brain that may cause migraines
anti-emetics – medications often used to reduce nausea and vomiting
During an attack, many people find that sleeping or lying in a darkened room can also help.

Preventing migraines
If you suspect a specific trigger is causing your migraines, such as stress or a certain type of food, avoiding this trigger may help reduce your risk of experiencing migraines.

It may also help to maintain a generally healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, sleep and meals, as well as ensuring you stay well hydrated and limiting your intake of caffeine and alcohol.

If your migraines are severe or you’ve tried avoiding possible triggers and are still experiencing symptoms, your GP may prescribe medication to help prevent further attacks.

Outlook
Migraines can severely affect your quality of life and stop you carrying out your normal daily activities. Some people find they need to stay in bed for days at a time.

However, a number of effective treatments are available to reduce the symptoms and prevent further attacks.

Migraine attacks can sometimes get worse over time, but they tend to gradually improve over many years for most people.

Side Effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, but not everybody gets them.
Some symptoms may be caused by the migraine itself.
Allergic reaction: get doctor’s help straight away

Common side effects
(affect up to 1 in 10 people)
• Pain, heaviness, pressure or tightness in the chest, throat or other parts of the body, or unusual sensations, including numbness, tingling and warmth or cold. These effects may be intense but generally pass quickly.
If these effects continue or become severe (especially the chest pain):
Get medical help urgently. In a very small number of people these symptoms can be caused by a heart attack.
Other common side effects include:
• Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting), although this may be due to the migraine itself
• Tiredness or drowsiness
• Dizziness, feeling weak, or getting hot flushes
• Temporary increase in blood pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Aching muscles.

Further Information

Further information can be found on the manufacturers Patient Information Leaflet and printed if required.

Migraines