Sumatriptan is a 5-HT1 – receptor agonist and is licensed as a P medicine, for the acute relief of migraine attacks with or without aura, as a 50mg tablet. Sumatriptan is used at the start of a migraine headache to try to stop it getting worse. Migraine headaches can be caused by the blood vessels in the brain expanding. Sumatriptan helps to constrict (narrow) these vessels and stop the migraine.
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What cause migraines? A brief overview
Migraine headaches tend to have some marked differences from other headaches, which helps your doctor determine which type of headache you have. There are also several different types of migraine headaches. In general terms, migraine attacks are experienced as a headache of at least moderate severity usually on one side of the head and occurring with other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and noise (though some people experience migraine without headache). The headache is usually made worse by physical activity. Migraine attacks usually last from 4 to 72 hours and in most cases there is complete freedom from symptoms between attacks.
The exact cause of migraines is not yet known, but it is thought that migraines are the result of abnormal brain activity which temporarily alters nerve signals, chemicals and blood vessels in the brain.
Around half of all people who experience migraines also have a close relative with the condition, suggesting that genes may play a role. For some disorders, genes play a particularly important role and migraine is a good example. We know this from clinical practice because we often see migraine running in families, and this is confirmed in formal scientific studies. In most cases a single gene defect or mutation probably does not cause migraine, instead it results from several different genes all coming together.
Headache is an almost universal experience; most of us have some kind of headache at some time in our lives. The classification system of headaches used by the medical profession is one of the longest in medicine, with many types and causes.
Headaches are unpleasant pains in your head that can cause pressure and aching. The pain can range from mild to severe, and they usually occur on both sides of your head. Some specific areas where headaches can occur include the forehead, temples, and back of the neck. A headache can last anywhere from 30 minutes to a week.
How does Sumatriptan work?
Sumatriptan is used to treat the symptoms of migraine headaches (severe, throbbing headaches that sometimes are accompanied by nausea or sensitivity to sound and light). Sumatriptan is in a class of medications called selective serotonin receptor agonists.
It works by narrowing blood vessels in the head, stopping pain signals from being sent to the brain, and blocking the release of certain natural substances that cause pain, nausea, and other symptoms of migraine. Sumatriptan does not prevent migraine attacks or reduce the number of headaches you have.
Can I buy Sumatriptan online in the UK?
Yes, it is possible to purchase this drug online after a quick consultation on chat or a phone. This medicine is not prescription free and therefore you must always have a prescription from your doctor to start the treatment. Never start such treatment without talking to a doctor, and do not buy this medicine online from pages that do not require a doctor’s consultation. These are unauthorized online pharmacies and can sell fake versions of the drug.
If you are fit for the treatment, you will receive it directly by mail from an approved pharmacy in the UK.
How do I use this medicine?
Always use this medicine as prescribed by your doctor for optimal results of the treatment, if unsure contact your doctor or pharmacist for further questions. Sumatriptan comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken at the first sign of a migraine headache. If your symptoms improve after you take sumatriptan but return after 2 hours or longer, you may take a second tablet.
However, if your symptoms do not improve after you take Sumatriptan, do not take a second tablet without calling your doctor. Your doctor will tell you the maximum number of tablets you may take in a 24-hour period. You may take your first dose of sumatriptan in a doctor’s office or other medical facilities where you can be monitored for serious reactions.
Call your doctor if your headaches do not get better or occur more frequently after taking sumatriptan.
If you take sumatriptan more often or for longer than the recommended period of time, your headaches may get worse or may occur more frequently.
You should not take sumatriptan or any other headache medication for more than 10 days per month. Call your doctor if you need to take sumatriptan to treat more than four headaches in a 1-month period.
Side effects
Like with all medicines, this medicine can come with some side effects, although it might not affect everyone, it’s important to know about the possible side effects that might occur.
The most common side effects include:
- pain, tightness or a heavy feeling in certain parts of your body (usually the chest or throat)
- feeling sick (nausea)
- being sick (vomiting)
- getting tired or drowsy
- weak or dizziness
- breathing problems
- muscle or joint ache
- short-term increase in blood pressure levels
If any of these side effects become bothersome or don’t improve, talk to your doctor. For a complete list of possible side effects, see the package leaflet. If you get any side effects, report to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This include any possible side effects not listed above.
Are there any contraindications?
In order to ensure the safety of this treatment, always make sure to disclose all the relevant info to your doctor and this includes other medicines you might be taking at the moment and other medical conditions that you might be affected by.
Hypersensitivity to Sumatriptan is a contraindication. In addition, this cream should not be used if you have the following:
- is allergic to its ingredients
- is under 18 or over 65
- has a high risk of heart or liver disease
- has heart or vascular problems
- has moderate or severe hypertension or mild uncontrolled high blood pressure
- has had a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
- is currently taking medication like ergotamins or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, before taking sumatriptan. It might not be suitable for you.
