Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects of Imitrex.
Chemical Name: SUMATRIPTAN (SOO-ma-trip-tan)
Imitrex 20mg/act Solution is a serotonin 5-HT1 receptor agonist ("triptan") used to treat migraine headaches with or without aura (eg, flashing lights, wavy lines, dark spots). It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Imitrex 20mg/act Solution. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE IMITREX 20mg/act SOLUTION if you are taking sibutramine, or if you have taken a monamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the past 14 days. DO NOT TAKE IMITREX 20mg/act SOLUTION if you have used certain other migraine medicines within the past 24 hours (eg, an ergot derivative [eg, dihydroergotamine, methysergide], another serotonin 5-HT 1 receptor agonist [eg, eletriptan, rizatriptan]). ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine), or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (eg, duloxetine). DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including a history of liver or kidney problems, seizures (eg epilepsy), heart problems, other types of headaches (eg, cluster headaches), allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have shortness of breath, chest pain, or a history of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, high cholesterol, diabetes, or smoking. Tell your doctor if you are a woman who is past menopause; if you are a man who is more than 40 years old; if you are very overweight; or if a family member has had heart disease or a stroke. USE OF IMITREX 20mg/act SOLUTION IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have a history of ischemic heart disease (eg, angina, heart attack), coronary artery disease (CAD), other moderate to severe heart problems, brain blood vessel disease (eg, stroke, transient ischemic attack), or other blood vessel disease (eg, Raynaud syndrome, ischemic bowel disease). USE OF IMITREX 20mg/act SOLUTION IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure or severe liver problems; or if you have certain types of migraines (eg, hemiplegic, basilar). Use of Imitrex 20mg/act Solution in children under age 18 is not recommended. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving Imitrex 20mg/act Solution to your child. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking Imitrex 20mg/act Solution.
Follow the directions for using Imitrex 20mg/act Solution provided by your doctor. Imitrex 20mg/act Solution comes with a patient information leaflet. Read it carefully. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about Imitrex 20mg/act Solution. A health care provider will teach you how to use Imitrex 20mg/act Solution. Be sure you understand how to use Imitrex 20mg/act Solution. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions. IMITREX 20mg/act SOLUTION SHOULD BE INHALED INTO THE NOSE. Do not get it in your mouth or eyes. IF YOU GET IT IN YOUR EYES, rinse right away with cool tap water. TO USE IMITREX 20mg/act SOLUTION, remove the nasal spray unit from the plastic pack. DO NOT remove it until you are ready to use it. THE UNIT CONTAINS ONLY 1 SPRAY. Do NOT test it before use. Sit down. Gently blow your nose to clear the nasal passages. Keep your head in an upright position, gently close 1 nostril with your index finger, and breathe out gently through the mouth. With your other hand, hold the container with your thumb at the bottom and your index and middle finger on either side of the nozzle. Insert the nozzle into your open nostril about 1/2 inch. Do not press the blue plunger yet. Keep your head upright and close your mouth. Gently take a breath through your nose and at the same time firmly press the blue plunger. Remove the nozzle from your nostril. Keep your head level for 10 to 20 seconds while gently breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Do NOT breathe in deeply. IT IS BEST TO USE A DOSE of Imitrex 20mg/act Solution as soon as you notice symptoms of a migraine attack. IF YOUR MIGRAINE SYMPTOMS GO AWAY AND THEN COME BACK, you may use a second dose as directed by your doctor. Wait at least 2 hours between doses. IF YOUR SYMPTOMS DO NOT IMPROVE AFTER THE FIRST DOSE, do not use a second dose for the same attack. Contact your doctor. DO NOT USE more than the amount prescribed by your doctor in a 24-hour period or treat more than 4 headaches within 30 days without checking with your doctor. STORE IMITREX 20mg/act SOLUTION between 36 and 86 degrees F (2 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. DO NOT FREEZE. Do not store at temperatures above 86 degrees F (30 degrees C). Do not store in the bathroom. KEEP IMITREX 20mg/act SOLUTION in the case provided. Throw away expired medicine as directed by your doctor (the expiration date is printed on the treatment pack). KEEP IMITREX 20mg/act SOLUTION out of the reach of children and away from pets. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF IMITREX 20mg/act SOLUTION and you still have a headache, follow your doctor's dosing instructions. Contact your doctor immediately if you are unsure of what to do if you miss a dose. DO NOT USE Imitrex 20mg/act Solution more often than prescribed. DO NOT use 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE IMITREX 20mg/act SOLUTION if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or use more often than prescribed without checking with your doctor. Overuse of Imitrex 20mg/act Solution may cause your headache to become worse. Laboratory and/or medical tests, including heart function tests, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using Imitrex 20mg/act Solution. Imitrex 20mg/act Solution may cause drowsiness or dizziness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to Imitrex 20mg/act Solution. Using Imitrex 20mg/act Solution alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. RARELY, SERIOUS HEART PROBLEMS (EG, HEART ATTACK, IRREGULAR HEARTBEAT) HAVE BEEN REPORTED within a few hours of using Imitrex 20mg/act Solution. Contact your doctor at once if fast or irregular heartbeat; chest, jaw, or neck pain or numbness; numbness of an arm or leg; severe stomach pain, dizziness, or vomiting; fainting; or vision changes occur. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. SEROTONIN SYNDROME IS A POSSIBLY FATAL SYNDROME THAT CAN BE CAUSED BY IMITREX 20mg/act SOLUTION. Your risk may be greater if you take Imitrex 20mg/act Solution with certain other medicines (eg, SSRIs, SNRIs). Symptoms may include agitation; confusion; hallucinations; coma; fever; fast or irregular heartbeat; tremor; excessive sweating; and nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms. IMITREX 20mg/act SOLUTION IS NOT INTENDED to prevent or reduce the number of migraine attacks that you experience. IF YOU HAVE A HEADACHE THAT IS DIFFERENT than your usual migraine attacks, check with your doctor before using Imitrex 20mg/act Solution. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Imitrex 20mg/act Solution should not be used in the ELDERLY; the risk of serious side effects (eg, heart problems, high blood pressure) may be increased. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Imitrex 20mg/act Solution during pregnancy. IMITREX 20mg/act SOLUTION IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using Imitrex 20mg/act Solution, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while using Imitrex 20mg/act Solution include bad or unusual taste; burning, numbness, tingling, discharge, pain, or soreness of the nose, throat, or sinuses; dizziness; drowsiness; feeling of heaviness or pressure; mild, temporary flushing; nausea; sick feeling; tingling; tiredness; vomiting; warm/hot sensation. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience bloody diarrhea; chest pain; confusion; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; hearing problems; numbness or tingling of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; pain, tightness, or pressure in the jaw, neck, or chest; seizures; severe headache, dizziness, or vomiting; severe or prolonged flushing; severe stomach pain; shortness of breath; speech changes; very cold or blue fingers or toes; vision changes or loss of vision; wheezing. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to Imitrex 20mg/act Solution is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions for Imitrex
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include blue skin or lips; chest pain; dilated pupils; loss of coordination; paralysis; redness of the fingers or toes; seizures; slow or difficult breathing; tremor.
If Imitrex 20mg/act Solution does not stop or decrease the severity of your migraine attack or if your symptoms become worse, check with your doctor. DO NOT SHARE IMITREX 20mg/act SOLUTION with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE IMITREX 20mg/act SOLUTION for other health conditions. KEEP IMITREX 20mg/act SOLUTION out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING IMITREX 20mg/act SOLUTION FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out. CHECK WITH YOUR PHARMACIST about how to dispose of unused medicine.
e-mail a friend about this prescription product
