Imigran

What is Imigran (Sumatriptan)?

Imigran is the brand name for a medicine called sumatriptan, which belongs to a group of medicines known as triptans. Triptans are specifically used as treatments for migraines, providing fast and effective relief from migraine headaches.

This medicine is also available as Imigran Nasal Spray for migraines.

You must have a prescription to buy Imigran. 

What is Imigran used to treat?

Imigran (sumatriptan) is commonly prescribed to treat migraine headaches, which are often painful and debilitating, preventing you from going about your daily life.

While it is not a painkiller, you can take sumatriptan if other painkillers or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have not provided effective pain relief.

Ideally, you should take Imigran as soon as possible after you feel a migraine coming on. Although it will still be effective if taken later on during a migraine.

Why is Imigran recommended for migraines?

The active ingredient contained in Imigran tablets (sumatriptan) has been clinically tested and found to be an effective medicine for relieving the symptoms of migraines. 

If a doctor prescribes Imigran, they will deem it unlikely that you will suffer side effects from taking it.

How does Imigran work?

It is not completely understood what causes a migraine attack, but they are believed to be caused by the temporary widening of blood vessels in the brain.

Imigran’s active ingredient, sumatriptan, is believed to work by narrowing the blood vessels back to their normal size. This relieves the pain and other symptoms like feeling sick and being extra sensitive to light and sound.

Sumatriptan will generally get to work after around 30 minutes of being taken.

Who can take Imigran?

Imigran (sumatriptan) is generally considered safe, but it may not be suitable for everyone to use.

Imigran is not suitable for children under the age of 18, unless recommended by a doctor.

It is also not recommended that people over the age of 65 take this migraine treatment.

You should not use any sumatriptan medicines without speaking to your doctor first if any of the below conditions apply to you:

• You have recently had a stroke or a mini stroke
• You have any heart problems like narrowing of the arteries or angina
• You have recently had a heart attack
• You have serious liver disease
• You have a history of seizures
• You have kidney disease
• You have an intolerance to some sugars
• You are allergic to sulphonamides
• You have high blood pressure
• You are currently using or have recently used any of the following anti-depressant medicines: MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) including citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine and sertaline, SNRIs (serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors) including venlafaxine and duloxetine
• You are allergic to sumatriptan or any of the other ingredients listed in these tablets

You should also inform your doctor if:

• You are a woman who has been through the menopause
• You are a man aged 40 or over
• You are a heavy smoker or are using any nicotine replacement therapy treatments

This list is not exhaustive. Always read the patient information leaflet for comprehensive warnings.

Can you buy Imigran over the counter?

You can only buy Imigran when you have been prescribed it by a doctor.

Can you buy Imigran online in the UK?

Sumatriptan is a prescription-only medicine (POM). To buy Imigran online from Medicine Direct, you will first need to fill out an online consultation questionnaire to make sure it is safe for you to take.

One of our doctors or pharmacists will review your answers before your order is confirmed. Next day delivery is available if you place your order by 2pm.

For your own safety, you should not order medicine online unless it is from an online pharmacy that is regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), like Medicine Direct.

Imigran alternatives

If you suffer from migraines, there are many different medicines available to relieve the symptoms. Imigran is also available as a nasal spray, which is a convenient alternative for adults who find it hard to swallow whole tablets. The nasal spray also contains sumatriptan and works in the same way as the tablet version of Imigran. This is a prescription-only medicine (POM) for adults.

Imigran is available as a generic (non-branded) version which contains the exact same active ingredient however it is usually cheaper in price. For the generic version of Imigran, you can buy Sumatriptan tablets online from Medicine Direct.

Other triptan medicines can also be ordered from our online pharmacy. The likes of Almotriptan, Zolmitriptan and Rizatriptan are available from Medicine Direct and work to relieve migraines in the same way as Sumatriptan.

Imigran Dosage and Directions

Our pharmacists and prescribers follow NICE guidelines when prescribing Imigran.

Always take migraine relief tablets precisely as your doctor instructs you. You should also always read the patient information leaflet thoroughly before you take Imigran.

Do not take use this medicine to prevent a migraine attack from coming on, you should only take these tablets once your migraine has started. For the most effective relief, it is best to take Imigran as soon as you feel the attack taking effect.

The average dose for adults between the ages of 18 and 65 is one Imigran tablet.

A second dose can be taken if the initial dose is not effective, or if your symptoms return. However, you must wait at least two hours before taking a second tablet.

The maximum dose is 300mg in 24 hours.

These tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.

If this medicine does not provide any relief from your migraine, you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

Imigran Side Effects

Common side effects of taking Imigran include:

• Feeling tired or drowsy
• A temporary increase in blood pressure
• Dizziness, feeling weak or getting hot flushes
• Feeling sick or being sick
• Muscles aching
• Shortness of breath
• Tingling sensations
• Feeling hot or cold
• Pain, heaviness or tightness in the chest

If you get any of these symptoms, you should stop taking the medicine and contact your doctor as soon as possible.

In rare cases, you may experience more serious adverse effects while taking Imigran.

Speak to your doctor if any of these symptoms flare up while taking Imigran:

• You have seizures, fits, muscle spasms, neck stiffness or tremors
• Excessive sweating
• Pain in your joints
• Feeling anxious
• Heart problems, such as a heart attack, a change in your heartbeat or heart rhythm
• Chest pains
• Diarrhoea
• Feeling faint (this may be a sign of lower blood pressure)
• Pain in your stomach and bloody diarrhoea (ischaemic colitis)
• Pale blue-tinged skin and/or in your fingers, toes, ears, nose or jaw in response to cold or stress (this could be a sign of Raynaud’s phenomenon)
• Changes in your liver function

This list may not be exhaustive; you should refer to the patient information leaflet for the full list of side effects associated with Imigran tablets. 

Imigran Warnings and drug interactions

Imigran may interact with other medicines, hindering its effectiveness.

Before you start taking Imigran, you should always make sure that your doctor or pharmacist is aware of any other medicines you may already be using. This includes both prescription and non-prescription medications, herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements.

Some medicines should be avoided while using Imigran. If you are already taking any of the following, you should inform your doctor and pharmacist before you start to use Imigran:

• Any herbal remedies that contain St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) - these medicines could make it more likely for you to experience side effects.
• Any Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) to treat depression. You should not use Imigran if you have taken these in the past two weeks.
• Any Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or Serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) to treat depression. Mixing these with Imigran can cause serotonin syndrome.
• Any other triptans/5-HT1 receptor agonists to treat migraine. Stop taking these medicines at least 24 hours before you start to use Imigran.
• Ergotamine - a medicine also used to treat migraine.

Because feeling dizzy and/or drowsy are common side effects associated with taking Imigran, it is not recommended that you drive, ride a bike or operate any kind of machinery if you begin to feel these effects. Speak to your doctor if these symptoms begin to worry you or do not go away.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Imigran tablets may not be suitable for women who are pregnant. If you are currently pregnant, trying to get pregnant or think you might be pregnant, you should speak to your doctor before you use Imigran. There may be a more suitable treatment for your migraines.

If you are currently breastfeeding, you should not breastfeed your baby for at least 12 hours after taking Imigran tablets.

We recommend BUMPs for additional information.

Imigran Ingredients

The main active ingredient within this medicine is: Sumatriptan succinate.

For a full list of the inactive ingredients, please read the Summary of Product Characteristics.

How much does it cost to buy Imigran tablets online in the UK?

How often can I take Imigran?

You can take a second dose if your migraine symptoms start to come back, as long as it has been at least two hours since you took the first dose. Do not take more than 300mg in 24 hours.

Can I take paracetamol with Imigran?

Yes, you can take a painkiller like paracetamol while using Imigran if required.

Can I take Imigran every day?

You should not take triptan medicines for more than 10 days each month. Taking triptans too regularly increases the risk of medication-induced headaches.

Is sumatriptan a narcotic?

No, sumatriptan is a triptan medicine. It is not classed as a narcotic.

How much does Imigran cost?

The starting price to buy Imigran online at Medicine Direct is £45.99 for six 50mg tablets and £69.99 for six 100mg tablets.

Are triptans safe?

Yes, triptans are well-tolerated and are considered a safe and effective medicine to treat migraine symptoms. However, to ensure the safety of this medicine, you must only take it as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist. Do not exceed the prescribed dose and do not take Imigran to treat any other condition than the one it was prescribed for.

Can I take ibuprofen with Imigran?

There are no known drug interactions between ibuprofen and Imigran, although it is best to check with your doctor or pharmacist before you take ibuprofen with Imigran.

Does sumatriptan cause memory loss?

Memory loss is not a side effect commonly associated with this medicine.

Can you drink alcohol with sumatriptan?

You are advised to limit alcohol consumption while taking medicine for migraines like Imigran. Alcohol can make your symptoms worse. Furthermore, some people suffer tiredness or sleepiness as a side effect of taking Imigran, and alcohol can make these adverse effects worse.

Can I drink coffee with sumatriptan?

You should limit stimulants like caffeine while taking triptans.