Part Two of Sumatriptan Information, Focusing on Side Effects, Discontinuation or Withdrawal Effects, and Additional Information

This second section of our medication database entry focuses on potential side effects, withdrawal or discontinuation effects, and additional information, while part one covers basic drug characteristics, uses and benefits.

Go to page: 1 | 2

What are the possible side effects of sumatriptan?

  • If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop using sumatriptan and seek emergency medical attention:
    • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
    • severe or prolonged chest pain or an irregular heartbeat; or
    • sudden and/or severe abdominal pain.
  • Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to use sumatriptan and talk to your doctor if you experience
    • nausea;
    • drowsiness or dizziness;
    • tingling, flushing, warmth, redness, or heaviness of a body part;
    • unpleasant taste in the mouth (nasal spray);
    • nasal irritation (nasal spray); or
    • injection site discomfort (injection).
  • Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect sumatriptan?

  • Do not use sumatriptan if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) within the last 14 days. The combination could cause seizures, nausea, vomiting, sweating, flushing, and dizziness.
  • Do not use sumatriptan without first talking to your doctor if you have taken any of the following medicines within the previous 24 hours:
    • an ergot-based medication within the last 24 hours. Ergot-based medicines include methysergide (Sansert), ergotamine (Ergostat), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E., Migranal Nasal Spray), and ergotamine combination products (Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine, Cafatine, Cafatine-PB, Cafetrate); or
    • another migraine medicine such as almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), or zolmitriptan (Zomig, Zomig-ZMT).
  • Using sumatriptan within 24 hours of any of the medicines listed above may be dangerous.
  • Before using sumatriptan, tell your doctor if you are taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft). You may not be able to use sumatriptan, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed.
  • Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with sumatriptan. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

  • Your pharmacist has more information about sumatriptan written for health professionals that you may read.
  • Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed

Limitations and the Source of Our Online Medication Information Database

Although we have made considerable efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, MedLibrary.org makes no guarantee to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This medication information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend any specific pharmacotherapy. This is an educational resource only -- intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of medically qualified healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. MedLibrary.org does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

Full public license and copyright information is available separately from Cerner Multum, Inc.

Version: 5.02. Revision date: 7/1/03.

Go to page: 1 | 2