Sumatriptan 100mg Tablets
PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET
Sumatriptan belongs to a group of medicines called selective 5HT-1 receptor agonists. They are used to treat short lived (acute) migraine attacks.
Selective 5HT-1 receptor agonists work by reducing the size of blood vessels in the head. It is the temporary swelling of these blood vessels that are thought to cause migraines. A migraine causes attacks of headache, sometimes with sickness or other symptoms e.g. some people become sensitive to light or noise.
Sumatriptan should only be used if there is a clear diagnosis of migraine. Sumatriptan should not be used to prevent a migraine attack.
What you need to know before you take Sumatriptan
DO NOT take Sumatriptan if:
■ You are allergic (hypersensitive) to Sumatriptan, selective 5HT-1 receptor agonists or to any of the other ingredients of this medicine (see section 6 "Contents of the pack and other information”)
■ You have taken antibiotics called sulphonamides before and suffered an allergic reaction
■ You currently have or have had a history of heart problems such as heart attack, heart disease, chest pain (angina) or suffer from hardened arteries
■ You have had a stroke (cerebrovascular accident [CVA]) in the past or if you have had the symptoms of a stroke, which only lasted a short time and from which you made a complete recovery (transient ischaemic attack)
■ You have severe liver problems
■ You have moderate to severe high blood pressure or mild uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension)
■ You are taking other medicines for migraine which contain ergotamine or ergotamine derivatives (including methysergide) or other triptans or 5-HT1 receptor agonists (see 'Other medicines and Sumatriptan' section)
■ You are taking or have taken within the last 2 weeks, medicines for the treatment of depression called Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) (see 'Other medicines and Sumatriptan' section)
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor before taking Sumatriptan if:
■ You feel pain or tightness in your chest and/or throat
■ You are at risk of heart disease due to diabetes, are a heavy smoker or are using nicotine replacement therapy, particularly if you are a man over 40 years of age or a postmenopausal woman
■ You have mild controlled high blood pressure (hypertension)
■ You are taking antidepressants called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) or Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) (see 'Other medicines and Sumatriptan' section)
■ You have kidney or liver problems. A 50mg dose should be considered if you suffer from liver problems
■ You have had fits or seizures in the past
■ You have frequent or daily headaches despite the regular use of headache medicines. Prolonged use of pain relievers for headaches can make them worse.
Other medicines and Sumatriptan
Tell doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently
Medicines not to be taken with Sumatriptan
■ Medicines which contain ergotamine or ergotamine derivatives (including methysergide) or other triptans or 5-HT1 receptor agonists.
You must wait 24 hours after taking ergotamine or ergotamine derivatives before you take Sumatriptan. If you have taken Sumatriptan, you must wait at least 6 hours before taking ergotamine or ergotamine derivatives. You must wait at least 24 hours before taking another triptan or 5-HT1 receptor agonist
■ Medicines for the treatment of depression called Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), such as moclobemide
Sumatriptan must not be taken within 2 weeks of stopping therapy with MAOIs
Other medicines which may interact with Sumatriptan:
■ Antidepressants called Selective Serotonin Reuptake
Inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine or sertraline and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs) tfaxine. Using Sumatripan with
these medicines can cause serotonin syndrome (a collection of symptoms which can include restlessness, confusion, sweating, hallucinations, increased reflexes, muscle spasms, shivering, increased heartbeat and shaking). Tell your doctor immediately if you are affected in this way
■ Lithium, used to treat mood disorders (antipsychotic)
■ Herbal medicines containing St John's Wort
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine.
Pregnancy
Do not take Sumatriptan if you are pregnant, unless the expected benefits outweigh any possible risk to the unborn child.
Breast-feeding
Sumatriptan is excreted in breast milk. The amount the child could receive can be reduced if you avoid breast feeding for 12 hours after taking Sumatriptan. The breast milk should be expressed and discarded during this period.
Driving and using machines
You may suffer from drowsiness, dizziness or weakness either due to the migraine itself or the use of Sumatriptan.
If affected, do not operate machinery or drive.
Sumatriptan tablets contain lactose
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
How to take Sumatriptan
Always take Sumatriptan exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
■ These tablets are to be taken orally
■ Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water
■ Sumatriptan has a bitter taste. The bitter taste is masked with the aid of a grapefruit flavour
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