Imitrex Side Effects

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Imitrex is the brand name for sumatriptan succinate, which is prescribed to patients suffering from migraine headaches. A migraine is a severe, throbbing headache that is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Categorized as a selective serotonin receptor antagonist, sumatriptan constricts the blood vessels in the head and stops pain signals from being sent to the brain.^[1] This relieves the pain of a migraine headache, yet cannot prevent migraines from occurring. Imitrex is available by prescription in two forms: a tablet and nasal spray.

Potential Imitrex side effects include dizziness, flushing, muscle cramps, and upset stomach. More severe side effects are also possible, such as cardiovascular issues. Imitrex is not intended for regular use, and patients are directed to only use it when a migraine occurs.^[1]

Contents 1 Common Imitrex Side Effects 2 About Drug Side Effects 3 Imitrex Allergic Reactions 4 Imitrex Precautions and Warnings 5 References

Common Imitrex Side Effects

Common adverse reactions to Imitrex include dizziness, drowsiness, feelings of warmth or heaviness, flushing, irritation of the nose, muscle cramps, tingling feeling, upset stomach or diarrhea, and vomiting.

Serious Imitrex side effects, which may require immediate medical attention, include a change in vision, difficulty breathing, fast heartbeat, pain or tightness in the chest or throat, skin rash or itching of the face, and wheezing.^[1]

About Drug Side Effects

Imitrex Allergic Reactions

Imitrex is contraindicated for patients with a known hypersensitivity or allergy to sumatriptan succinate or to any of the following inactive ingredients: anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate, cellulose, microcrystalline, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, and sodium bicarbonate.^[3]

Patients who are allergic to other triptan medicines, like zolmitriptan, rizatriptan, are likely to be allergic to Imitrex.^[4]

Signs of allergies to Imitrex or other drugs include itching, hives, stuffy or runny nose, and swelling in oral areas. In rare cases, allergies can lead to difficulty breathing and other dangerous or potentially fatal symptoms.^[5]

Imitrex Precautions and Warnings

• Imitrex is known to cause extreme drowsiness when mixed with alcohol.
• Imitrex is contraindicated for patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).
• Imitrex has been known to cause seizures. Patients with a history of epilepsy should be carefully monitored while taking Imitrex.^[3]
• Imitrex may not be right for patients with histories of heart disease, blood circulatory issues, unmanaged high blood pressure, or liver disease.^[4]
• Imitrex is classified as FDA pregnancy category C, which means that animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus, including embryolethality. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans.^[2]
• Nursing mothers are advised not to breastfeed until at least 12 hours after taking Imitrex. The drug may be passed on through breast milk and cause harm to developing babies.^[4]
• Elderly patients are not good candidates for Imitrex, as there is an increased risk of dangerously high blood pressure and other more severe adverse reactions.^[4]
• Cardiovascular side effects are more likely among smokers, diabetics, postmenopausal women and men over the age of 40.^[4]

Also See: Drug Side Effects, Marijuana and Pain, Topamax Free Samples, Advil Coupons, Toprol XL Side Effects

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a601116.html
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} http://us.gsk.com/products/assets/us_imitrex_tablets.pdf
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} http://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=584abe73-8290-4484-ff8e-5890831c095e
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4} http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-11571-Imitrex+Oral.aspx?drugid=11571&drugname=Imitrex+Oral
5. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/allergies/guide/allergies-medications