Imigran Nasal Spray

What is Imigran nasal spray 10mg/20mg?

Imigran is a nasal spray that is used to treat the symptoms of a migraine attack. Each spray contains a dose of the medicine sumatriptan; this medicine is renowned for effectively treating migraines.

You cannot buy Imigran nasal spray without speaking to your doctor.

What is Imigran nasal spray used to treat?

Imigran nasal spray is a treatment for the symptoms of a migraine headache.

Migraine symptoms include:

• Feeling sick
• Vomiting
• Being sensitive to light and sound
• Headache

Migraines can be triggered by various things, such as alcohol, stress, poor diet, caffeine or not getting enough sleep. They can also occur for no reason at all.

Migraines are very common, but they can be very debilitating and prevent you from completing even the simplest tasks effectively. To get the most out of an Imigran nasal spray, you should use it as early as possible during your migraine attack. However, you can use it later on during a migraine and it will still be effective.

The nasal spray will normally work within 15 minutes of using it. If your headache goes away but then returns, you can take another dose after 2 hours.

Why is Imigran nasal spray recommended for migraines?

The active ingredient in Imigran, sumatriptan, has been clinically tested and found to be highly effective at treating isolated cases of migraines. Studies also show that it is well-tolerated and unlikely to cause any serious side effects.

How does Imigran work?

Migraines are believed to be caused by the temporary widening of the blood vessels inside your head. This nasal spray is thought to work by reducing the widening of the blood vessels, relieving the pressure in your head and relieving the symptoms of a migraine attack.

Imigran contains sumatriptan as its active ingredient, which works by stimulating certain receptors in the brain. Doing this makes the blood vessels narrow to their normal size, which relieves pressure in your head and makes the throbbing pain go away.

Who can take Imigran nasal spray?

Imigran is an effective treatment for the symptoms of migraines, but it is not suitable for everyone.

Do not use Imigran nasal spray if:

• You are allergic to sumatriptan or any of the other ingredients contained in this medicine (please refer to the Ingredients tab for a full list)
• You have circulation problems in your legs that cause cramp-like pains when you walk
• You have any heart problems, such as recently having a heart attack, angina or narrowing of the arteries
• You have had a stroke or a mini-stroke
• You have high blood pressure (if you have mild blood pressure or it is being treated, you may be able to take Imigran)
• You have serious liver disease
• You are taking any other migraine medicines

Speak to your doctor before using Imigran if:

• You are a heavy smoker or using nicotine replacement therapy
• You are a man over the age of 40
• You are a woman who has been through menopause
• You have a history of seizures (fits)
• You have liver or kidney disease
• You are allergic to antibiotics called sulphonamides
• You are taking any antidepressants called Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
• You feel any chest tightness or pain after using Imigran

Can you buy Imigran nasal spray over the counter?

You will need to speak to your doctor before you can buy Imigran nasal spray.

Can you buy Imigran nasal spray online in the UK?

To buy Imigran nasal spray online from Medicine Direct, you will first need to fill out an online consultation form for a prescriber to review. Once they have approved that this product is safe for you to use, it can be ordered from our online pharmacy.

If you order by 2pm, we can offer you next day delivery of your medicine.

Medicine Direct is fully regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council. You should never order any type of medicine online unless it is from a regulated pharmacy.

Imigran nasal spray alternatives

Imigran is also available as Imigran 50mg – 100mg tablets for migraines. This nasal spray is a useful alternative for people who find it difficult to swallow tablets.

Medicine Direct also stocks generic Sumatriptan tablets, which you can buy after filling out an online consultation questionnaire for one of our doctors or pharmacists to review.

Alternative triptans like Zolmitriptan and Almotriptan are also prescription medicines that can be ordered from our pharmacy.

In addition to these, we sell non-prescription migraine medicines including Anadin Extra and Migraleve Pink tablets.

Imigran Nasal Spray Dosage and Directions

Our pharmacists and prescribers follow NICE guidelines when prescribing Imigran Nasal Spray.

Always use Imigran nasal spray exactly as instructed by your doctor. Read the patient information leaflet thoroughly and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure how to use it.

For adults aged 18 to 65, the usual dose is one Imigran 20mg spray into just one nostril, although only 10mg is enough for some people. Do not use more than 2 sprays in 24 hours.

For adolescents aged 12 to 17, the usual dose is one Imigran 10mg spray into one nostril.

Imigran nasal spray is not recommended for children under the age of 12 or adults over the age of 65.

How to use Imigran nasal spray

1. Get into a comfortable position (you may wish to use this nasal spray while sitting down).
2. If you have a cold or a blocked nose, blow your nose
3. Gently hold the nasal spray with your fingers and thumb.
4. Use a finger to firmly block one nostril.
5. Carefully insert the nozzle of the nasal spray into the other nostril and breathe out gently through your mouth.
6. Hold your head upright and keep your mouth closed.
7. Breathe gently through your nose. As you breathe in, press down on the plunger; this will release one spray. Keep breathing in while it sprays.
8. Remove the nozzle from your nose and keep your head upright for about 20 seconds.
9. Your Imigran nasal spray is now empty; dispose of it as advised by your doctor or pharmacist.

Imigran Nasal Spray side effects

Like all medicines, Imigran nasal spray comes with the risk of side effects, although these won't affect everyone who uses it.

Common side effects include:

• An unpleasant taste
• Heaviness, tightness, pressure or pain in the chest, throat or other parts of the body, or feeling numb, tingly or warm or cold. These may feel intense but normally ease quickly.

Seek medical attention if you suffer from any of the above. In rare cases, this could be a symptom of a heart attack.

Other common side effects include:

• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Nosebleeds
• Burning or irritation in the nose or throat
• Muscle aches
• Shortness of breath
• Temporary high blood pressure
• Feeling sick or being sick

Please note, this list is not exhaustive. Please refer to the Side Effects tab for more information. Always read the patient information leaflet for comprehensive details on side effects.

Serious side effects

Rare side effects can include:

• Changes in liver function
• Heart problems
• Seizures, tremors, neck stiffness, muscle spasm
• Diarrhoea
• Difficulty swallowing
• Sweating
• Joint pain
• Feeling anxious
• Pain worsening at the site of any existing injury or inflammation
• Pain in the lower left side of the body and bloody diarrhoea
• Feeling faint
• Visual problems, such as blurred vision, reduced vision or loss of vision
• Pale blue-tinged skin and/or pain in the joints, fingers, toes, ears, nose or jaw as a response to stress or cold

You should talk to your doctor if you suffer from any of the above.

Always read the patient information leaflet for comprehensive information on side effects. If you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.

Imigran Nasal Spray warnings and drug interactions

Before you start taking a new medicine, tell your doctor if you are already taking any other medication. This includes prescription and non-prescription medicine, herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements as some medicines may interact with Imigran Nasal Spray.

In particular, tell them if you are taking:

• Any other migraine medicines
• Any antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or you have taken any in the past two weeks
• Ergotamine
• Any other triptans/5-HT1 receptor agonists
• Any Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) or Serotonin Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
• The herbal remedy St. John's wort

Always read the patient information leaflet for full details on warnings and drug interactions. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to speak to your doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

You should speak to your doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, think you might be pregnant or are breastfeeding. They will decide whether or not you should use this Imigran nasal spray.

If you are breastfeeding, do not breastfeed your baby for 12 hours after using Imigran. If you have expressed any milk during those 12 hours, do not give it to your baby.

Click here for more information on taking Imigran nasal spray during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Ingredients

The main active ingredient within this medicine is: Sumatriptan.

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

Is Imigran a triptan?

Imigran contains the active ingredient sumatriptan, which belongs to the triptan class of drugs.

Is Maxalt the same as Imigran?

Maxalt and Imigran are both used to relieve migraine symptoms, but Maxalt contains the medicine rizatriptan. Imigran contains sumatriptan.

Which is stronger, sumatriptan or rizatriptan?

Rizatriptan has been found to be a generally more effective medicine than sumatriptan.

How much does Imigran cost?

Imigran 10mg nasal spray costs £24.99. To buy Imigran 20mg nasal spray, the price is £29.99.

Can you drink alcohol with sumatriptan?

Drinking alcohol is not advised when taking a sumatriptan medicine like Imigran nasal spray. Sumatriptan can cause dizziness, nausea or drowsiness, which may be made worse by alcohol. Alcohol can also make your migraine symptoms even worse.

Can you drink coffee with sumatriptan?

You are advised to limit common stimulants like tea and coffee while using a sumatriptan medicine like Imigran nasal spray.

How often can you take Imigran nasal spray?

Adults must not use more than two sprays in 24 hours.

Can you take paracetamol with Imigran nasal spray?

Yes, it is safe to take painkillers like paracetamol while using Imigran nasal spray. However, do not use more than one triptan medicine at the same time.

Can I take Imigran every day?

If your migraine symptoms do not go away after a few days of using Imigran nasal spray, you should speak to your doctor.