sumatriptan (injection)

What is the most important information I should know about sumatriptan injection?

Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

Do not use sumatriptan within 24 hours before or after using another migraine headache medicine.

What is sumatriptan injection?

Sumatriptan is a headache medicine that narrows blood vessels around the brain. Sumatriptan also reduces substances in the body that can trigger headache pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other migraine symptoms.

Sumatriptan is used to treat migraines and cluster headaches in adults. Sumatriptan will only treat a headache. This medicine will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

Sumatriptan should not be used to treat a common tension headache, or a headache that causes loss of movement on one side of your body. Use this medicine only if your condition has been confirmed by a doctor as migraine headaches.

Sumatriptan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using sumatriptan injection?

• heart problems, or a stroke (including "mini-stroke");
• coronary artery disease, angina (chest pain), blood circulation problems, lack of blood supply to the heart;
• circulation problems affecting your legs, arms, stomach, intestines, or kidneys;
• a heart disorder called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome;
• uncontrolled high blood pressure; or
• severe liver disease.

Do not use sumatriptan if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver or kidney disease;
• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder; or
• risk factors for coronary artery disease (such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high blood pressure or high cholesterol, having a family history of coronary artery disease, or being older than 40 and a man).

How should I use sumatriptan injection?

Use sumatriptan as soon as you notice headache symptoms. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Never use more than your recommended dose. Overuse of migraine headache medicine can make headaches worse. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in treating your migraine attacks.

Sumatriptan is injected under the skin. A healthcare provider may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

This medicine comes in a vial (bottle), a needle-free injector device, or a prefilled cartridge for an auto-injector syringe. Each type is for one use only.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Do not use sumatriptan if you don't understand all instructions for proper use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions.

Prepare your injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use a vial if the medicine looks cloudy, has changed colors, or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

Use a needle and syringe only once and then place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container. Follow state or local laws about how to dispose of this container. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include tremors, skin redness in your arms or legs, weakness, loss of coordination, breathing problems, blue-colored lips or fingernails, vision problems, or a seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while using sumatriptan injection?

• sumatriptan tablets or nasal spray, almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan; or
• ergot medicine such as dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergonovine, or methylergonovine.

What are the possible side effects of sumatriptan injection?

• sudden and severe stomach pain and bloody diarrhea;
• severe chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats;
• a seizure (convulsions);
• blood circulation problems in your legs or feet --cramps, tight or heavy feeling, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, burning pain, cold feeling, color changes (pale or blue), hip pain;
• heart attack symptoms --chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to your jaw or shoulder, nausea, sweating;
• high levels of serotonin in the body --agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, fainting;
• increased blood pressure --severe headache, blurred vision, pounding in your neck or ears, anxiety, nosebleed; or
• signs of a stroke --sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), sudden severe headache, slurred speech, problems with vision or balance.

Common side effects may include:

• numbness, tingling, warmth, redness, or burning sensation;
• pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body;
• dizziness, drowsiness, feeling weak or tired;
• neck pain or stiffness; or
• pain or redness where the medicine was injected.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect sumatriptan injection?

• medicine to treat depression or a psychiatric disorder;
• medicine for Parkinson's disease;
• medicine for serious infections;
• herbal products;
• stimulant medicine;
• opioid medicine; or
• medicine to prevent nausea and vomiting.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect sumatriptan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about sumatriptan injection.

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.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of 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. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. 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, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 9.02. Revision date: 8/22/2018.