Generic Imitrex i.e. Sumatriptan is an ant migraine medicine. Migraine headaches are believed to result from dilatation of the blood vessels in the head. Sumatriptan causes constriction of the blood vessels thus relieving migraine headache. While it is very effective in relieving migraine it does not prevent or reduce the number of attacks of migraine. Imitrex should not be used to treat a common tension headache, a headache that causes loss of movement on one side of your body, or any headache that seems to be different from your usual migraine headaches. Use this medication only if your condition has been confirmed by a doctor as migraine headaches.

However, before taking Sumatriptan i.e. Imitrex medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and read it carefully. Talk to your doctor about all the possible risks of taking Imitrex medication. However, Imitrex may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Hence, for more information, consult your doctor and your medical pharmacist.

Follow the directions given by the doctor exactly for the usage of the Imitrex i.e. Sumatriptan medication and also read the prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.

The Imitrex i.e. Sumatriptan tablets are to be swallowed whole with a full glass of water. Do not break, crush, or chew the tablets before swallowing them.

If you notice any of the symptoms, which seem severe or persistent to you, please contact your doctor immediately. However, your doctor may need to monitor you carefully for side effects and alter the doses if necessary.

The most common side effects seen are: dizziness, drowsiness, feeling of burning, warmth, burning, discharge, pain, and/or soreness in the nose burning, pain, or redness at place of injection, change in sense of taste, discomfort in jaw, mouth, tongue, throat, nose, or sinuses, heat, numbness, muscle aches, cramps, or stiffness, nausea or vomiting, tightness, or tingling, feeling cold, flushing, lightheadedness etc.

And less common side effects seen are: vision changes, anxiety, general feeling of illness or tiredness etc.

However, for many migraine sufferers Sumatriptan appropriately used has been a valuable and effective treatment in aborting attacks. Side effects are generally transient. Some common side effects include pain or tightness in the chest or throat, tingling sensations, flushing, weakness, dizziness, abdominal discomfort and sweating. Rarely allergic reactions even anaphylaxis have been reported usually in individuals who are highly allergic to multiple allergens.

Inform your doctor if you experience any of these side effects or some new side effects occur which appear too bothersome to you.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to the formulation of this medication or any other medication in any other form and also inform your doctor about any other medication you may be taking in any other form, as they may affect the way your medicine works.

However, Imitrex i.e. Sumatriptan is metabolized mainly by the liver and dosages may need to be reduced in patients with liver dysfunction. Sumatriptan can cause elevation of blood pressure and spasm of the coronary arteries of the heart. Sumatriptan should be avoided by patients with coronary artery disease i.e. patients with angina pectoris and a history of heart attacks and by patients with poorly controlled high blood pressure. It is administered with caution to patients with risk factors for coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, elevated blood cholesterol, obesity, cigarette smoking and strong family history of heart attacks. In some patients the first dose of Sumatriptan can be given in the physician’s office to monitor any adverse heart events.

Sumatriptan should not be administered along with ergot type migraine medications or with MAO inhibitors. Sumatriptan and ergotamine together can cause prolonged spasm of the blood vessels. Therefore, the use of these two medications should be separated by at least 24 hours. Safe use in children has not been established. Rarely seizures after Sumatriptan administration have been reported in patients with epilepsy.

Moreover, Imitrex i.e. Sumatriptan may also interact with some kind of foods, varied medications, herbal products, nutritional supplements, vitamins, other OTC medicines, some vaccinations etc. Acquire more information about the interactions of the Imitrex medication from your doctor and the medical pharmacists.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not allow any other person to use your medication without getting doctor’s prescription themselves and also avoid using this medicine for other health conditions on your own. Keep the medicine away from the children and pets.

Also inform your doctor, if you are pregnant or are breast feeding. If you conceive during the course, inform your doctor immediately. Do not share your medicines with anyone, even if they have the same symptoms, for it may harm them. Do not begin, increase, decrease, or stop using this medicine on your own. In short discuss your complete medical history with your doctor, before taking the medicine.

Remember, it is very important to keep regular appointments with your doctor to study the way your body is responding to the course. And if you are going to have a surgery, tell your health care professional that you are using Imitrex medication.

Carry with you at all times an ID card mentioning your name, the medicine you are taking, the dosage, the name of the person and your health care professional they should call in case of an emergency. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory and keep regular checks ups.

Also avoid alcohol and alcohol containing beverages whilst on a course with this medication.

And in case, if you wish to use the medicine in children, please contact your pediatrician for sure before its use.

If you missed the Imitrex i.e. Sumatriptan medication dose, do take the medicine immediately provided that there is ample of time in between the next dose. However, if it is almost time for the next dose skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Never double your doses to cope up with the missed. And in case, if you miss your one or two consecutive doses consult to your doctor or physician for guidance and continue further.

Generic Imitrex is used in the treatment of relieving migraine and its associated nausea and light sensitivity. It does not prevent or reduce the number of attacks of migraine. It should not be used to treat other types of headaches.

However, it may also be used to treat some other medical conditions which may be determined by your doctor accordingly and consult a pediatrician for the use of this medication in children.

The generic Imitrex i.e. Sumatriptan medication may be prescribed for other uses also and hence ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the Imitrex i.e. Sumatriptan medication.

Store generic Imitrex i.e. Sumatriptan, at room temperature in between 15-30°C and 59-86°F, in a cool and dry place. Keep the medicine in the container, it came in and always keep it tightly closed. Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Do not freeze in any case. Also, keep it away from heat, dampness and direct light. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. When the medicine is not in use or outdated it should be discarded. Take help of your pharmacist in disposing this medicine properly. In any case, do not store the Imitrex medication in the bathroom.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Imitrex i.e. Sumatriptan:

1. Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had: kidney disease, lung disease, liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, low or high blood pressure, asthma, heart attack, anemia/blood disorder, seizures, kidney disease serious injury/infection or any other severe disease etc. Also inform, if you drink alcoholic beverages or are a tobacco smoker etc.

2. Also acknowledge your doctor if you need to undergo any kind of surgery, including dental surgery or need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents. So, inform your doctors immediately about it, so that the doctor can decide whether to continue taking Imitrex medication or stop it during the surgery.

3. Let the doctor also know, if you are in-taking or are planning to take any prescribed or non prescribed medicines, health supplements or any other OTC medications, vitamins etc.

4. Do not use the Imitrex i.e. Sumatriptan medication, if you have any kind of allergy to it or to any ingredients of it and tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and get treated accordingly.

5. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding before taking Imitrex medication. Hence also, inform your doctor immediately when you plan to conceive, or become pregnant during the course.

6. Do not share the drug with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves. And if your symptoms of side effects do not improve in few weeks or if they become worse and bothersome, check these conditions immediately with your doctor.

7. Please, use the Imitrex medicine in the prescribed amount and do not overdose it or use it for the longer period of time. Do not discontinue on your own and consult your doctor before doing so to avoid further problems.

8. Regularly, keep your appointments with your doctor and keep an eye on the progress or side effects that has been noticed during the complete course.

9. Also, avoid smoking and consuming alcohol and alcohol containing beverages during the complete course to achieve good results.

10. For more information, contact your doctor and your pharmacists and also discuss the risks and benefits of the generic Imitrex.

11. Remember: It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular intervals. If you are taking this medicine for gastric ulcers or reflux disease, your symptoms should improve within 4 to 8 weeks. If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, contact your doctor.

12. Check with your doctor if you have used Sumatriptan for three headaches, and have not had good relief. Also, check with your doctor if your migraine headaches are worse, or if they are occurring more often, than before you started using Sumatriptan.

13. Drinking alcoholic beverages can make headaches worse or cause new headaches to occur. People who suffer from severe headaches should probably avoid alcoholic beverages, especially during a headache.

14. Some people feel drowsy or dizzy during or after a migraine, or after taking Sumatriptan to relieve a migraine. As long as you are feeling drowsy or dizzy, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert.