Imigran

What is Imigran?

Imigran is a brand name for the migraine treatment sumatriptan, a selective serotonin receptor agonist or triptan, which stimulates the serotonin receptors in the brain to reduce the symptoms of migraines. Each tablet contains 50 mg of sumatriptan, as sumatriptan succinate and is effective at stopping a migraine reaching its full intensity.

What is Imigran Used For?

Imigran belongs to a class of medications referred to as 5-HT1-receptor agonists, which are also often known as triptans. These drugs are defined by their ability to stimulate serotonin receptors in the brain. Imigran 50 mg tablets are licensed to treat acute migraines. These are a common neurological condition that can cause the following symptoms:

• Throbbing head pain or severe headache
• Feeling or being sick
• Sensitivity to light and sounds

Migraines often occur because blood vessels in the brain widen. By targeting specific receptors, Imigran can help these blood vessels shrink back to their usual size and stop pain, nausea, and light sensitivity.

How Does Imigran Work?

It is thought that migraines are caused by the temporary widening of blood vessels in the brain. Triptans, like Imigran, restrict these blood vessels to relieve the pain while also treating accompanying symptoms, such as nausea. Imigran cannot prevent a migraine from occurring but can treat the symptoms of a migraine once one is underway.

How Long Does Imigran Take to Work?

Imigran tablets usually work within 30 to 60 minutes of taking them to relieve a migraine. One study shows that after 2 hours, 50% of people given 50 mg sumatriptan tablets were pain-free and 43% were migraine-free after the same time.

How Effective Are Imigran Migraine Tablets?

Imigran tablets are considered an effective migraine treatment, particularly if they are taken as soon as symptoms begin. A 2012 review found that, on average, 46% of people given 50 mg sumatriptan tablets were pain-free after 2 hours compared to 23% given a placebo. The same review concluded that taking Imigran early while the headache was still mild was significantly more effective than treating a more moderate or severe headache.

In a 2024 study, sumatriptan was the third most effective migraine treatment for pain relief within 2 hours, behind eletriptan and rizatriptan. The researchers concluded that the most effective triptans should be the preferred treatment for an acute migraine headache where appropriate.

How to Take Imigran Tablets

Imigran tablets are best taken as soon as you feel a migraine coming on, but you can take them at any time during an attack. The usual dose for adults aged 18 to 65 years is one Imigran 50 mg tablet. Swallow it whole with water.

If your symptoms start to come back, you can take another Imigran tablet if it has been at least 2 hours since your first tablet. Do not take more than 300 mg (6 tablets) in a 24-hour period.

If the first tablet has no effect, do not take a second tablet or any other Imigran preparations for the same attack. You can still use Imigran for your next attack if you have one.

If Imigran does not provide any relief, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

If You Take Too Much Imigran

Taking too many Imigran tablets can make you ill. You must not take more than six 50 mg tablets in any 24-hour period. If you have taken more than six tablets or 300 mg, contact your doctor for advice.

Imigran Side Effects and Cautions

Imigran can cause side effects, and it is important that you are aware of the potential adverse events and cautions before taking this medication. This will give you a better understanding of the signs and symptoms to look out for and when you may need to get medical advice. If you are concerned about any Imigran side effects, speak to your clinician for more information.

Potential Side Effects of Imigran

Although Imigran can cause side effects, not everyone will get them. For most people, these adverse reactions are mild and temporary, and in some cases, may be caused by the migraine itself.

Examples of possible Imigran side effects include:

More details regarding the possible side effects of Imigran tablets can be found within the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with the medication. You can also report any adverse reactions using the MHRA's Yellow Card Scheme.

When to Seek Medical Advice

Imigran tablets can commonly cause side effects that are intense in nature but will generally pass quickly. These include:

• Pain, heaviness, pressure, or tightness in the chest, throat, or other parts of the body
• Unusual sensations, including numbness, tingling, and warmth or cold

If these adverse reactions continue or become severe (especially the chest pain), it's essential to get urgent medical help as these symptoms can be caused by a heart attack in a very small number of people.

Signs of an Allergic Reaction

An allergic reaction is a medical emergency. If you get any of the following symptoms while taking Imigran, do not take any more and call 999 or get someone to take you to A&E:

• Wheezing
• Swollen eyelids, face, or lips
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Rash
• Hives (itchy rash)
• Collapse

Imigran Tablets Warnings and Interactions

Imigran tablets may not be suitable for everyone. It is important that you read the Patient Information Leaflet before taking Imigran to make sure it is right for you, as some medical conditions and medications may make it unsuitable or potentially unsafe.

Do not take Imigran if you:

• Are allergic to sumatriptan or any other ingredients listed in this medicine
• Have a heart problem such as narrowing of the arteries (ischaemic heart disease, chest pains (angina)), or have already had a heart attack
• Have circulation problems in your legs that cause cramp-like pains when you walk called peripheral vascular disease
• Have had a stroke or mini stroke known as a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• Have serious liver disease

Imigran should not usually be used if you have high blood pressure. However, it may be possible to take the medication if your high blood pressure is mild and being treated.

Precautions Before Using Imigran

Before taking Imigran, tell the clinician if you:

• Are a heavy smoker or are using nicotine replacement therapy and are a man aged over 40 or a woman who has been through the menopause
• Have a history of fits (seizures)
• Have liver or kidney disease
• Are intolerant to some sugars
• Are allergic to antibiotics called sulphonamides
• Are taking anti-depressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
• Use Imigran frequently

Your clinician may need to monitor you more closely while you take Imigran if any of the above apply to you.

If you feel pain or tightness in your chest after taking Imigran that does not pass quickly or becomes severe, get medical help immediately.

Imigran and Other Medicines

Before taking Imigran, tell the clinician if you are taking any prescribed, over-the-counter, or herbal medicines. Some medicines can interact with Imigran, making it less effective or potentially unsafe and vice versa.

Do not take Imigran with:

• Other migraine medicines including those that contain ergotamine, or similar medicines such as methysergide maleate, or any other triptan or 5HT1 agonist
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI), a type of antidepressant, or if you have taken an MAOI in the last 2 weeks

Tell the clinician if you are taking:

• SSRIs or SNRIs to treat depression, as these can cause serotonin syndrome and will need medical treatment
• The herbal remedy St John's Wort as it can make Imigran side effects more likely

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are planning to get pregnant, speak to your clinician before taking Imigran. They will discuss with you whether you should use Imigran while pregnant because there is limited information about the safety of this medication in pregnant women.

If you are breastfeeding while taking Imigran, you should not breastfeed for 12 hours after taking it. If you express any milk during this time, discard the milk and do not give it to your baby. Some people report breast or nipple pain after taking Imigran, but this usually disappears within 3 to 12 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions About Imigran Tablets