Print this page
Email a friend
Did this drug work?
100% said yes!
(1 votes)What do you think? Click "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" to vote!
If you have more to say, post a comment below!
Overview
Imitrex is the first of a new kind of medicine prescribed to treat migraines.
It works through serotonin receptors to cause constriction of blood vessels to the brain. This in turn stops a migraine in progress.
It is effective for up to 80 percent of people with these debilitating headaches.
Imitrex is available both as an injection for self-administration and as tablets.
Side Effects and Interactions
Imitrex has, in rare cases, caused spasm of a coronary artery or a change in heart rhythm. This dangerous reaction makes it wise for people with heart disease to avoid Imitrex.
The most common side effects include, for the injection, pain at the injection site; sensations of warmth, cold, tingling, pressure, or tightness; flushing; pressure or pain in the chest; drowsiness; dizziness; and fatigue.
Common reactions to Imitrex tablets include sensations of warmth, cold, tingling, or pressure; flushing; chest tightness; dizziness; weakness; stiff neck; and a bad taste in the mouth.
Report symptoms or suspected side effects to the physician promptly.
Severe allergic reactions to Imitrex are rare but dangerous.
Symptoms such as breathing difficulty or wheezing with hives or itching may signal life-threatening anaphylactic shock and require immediate emergency treatment.
Imitrex should not be given at the same time as ergot-containing migraine medicine such as Cafergot, Ergostat or Wigraine.
As noted above, Imitrex is potentially very dangerous in combination with MAO inhibitors such as Eldepryl, Nardil or Parnate.
Check with your doctor and pharmacist to make sure Imitrex is safe in combination with any other drugs you take.
Special Precautions
Imitrex must not be taken at the same time as MAO inhibitor medications (Eldepryl, Nardil, Parnate).
At least two weeks should go by between the last dose of an MAO inhibitor and the first dose of Imitrex.
Imitrex should not be taken within 24 hours of an ergotamine or ergot-type migraine medicine.
Imitrex is inappropriate for people who have had angina or a heart attack, or who have blockage in the coronary arteries.
People with uncontrolled high blood pressure should not take Imitrex.
Because it could cause coronary blood vessel spasm, a life-threatening condition, it should never be injected intravenously.
Imitrex may also raise blood pressure and should not be given to anyone with uncontrolled hypertension.
There is some controversy about how well it can be determined who has heart disease and therefore should not get Imitrex.
The diagnosis of migraine should be confirmed with care before Imitrex is administered, as it can be dangerous if given to people with other neurological problems.
Imitrex is inappropriate for basilar or hemiplegic migraine.
Taking the Medicine
Imitrex injection is given subcutaneously during a migraine. The first signs of relief may be noticeable within 10 minutes, but the full effect may take an hour to develop.
Maximum dose is two injections in 24 hours. At least one hour should go by before a second injection is given.
Imitrex tablets are given with water or other fluids. The tablet is effective at any stage of the migraine, although the manufacturer recommends it be taken as early as possible.
If the headache returns after two hours or more, another tablet may be taken.
The maximum 24-hour dose for healthy people is 300 mg; those with chronic conditions may need to observe a lower maximum dose.
I have used Imitrex successfully for migraines for about two years now. Last month, my pharmacy substituted the generic, sumatriptan, for my Imitrex prescription. I found that I had to take 4-5 times as much to get relief and even at higher doses, did not get as much relief as I do from one tablet of Imitrex. I'm curious if others have reported similar results when comparing the two.
Until I read an article in Self Magazine about generic drugs and their problems I had not put two and two together. I also was switched to the generic, sumatriptan succunate for my Imitrex and discovered that it was not delivering the relief I was used to with Imitrex. I just thought it was me, not the drug that was ineffective. I just filled another prescription today, receiving the generic. I am returning it for Imitrex.
I am so glad to see the two posts about generic sumatriptan. I am definitely going to call the pharmacy and ask them to substitute the generic for "the real thing" right now. I have noticed exactly the same thing-- the generic prescription takes about twice as much to relieve a headache as Imatrex does. Thank you all for posting your experience and thoughts. I was beginning to think it was "all in my head." LOL ;)
I too had the same experience as VV posted above. I took the generic (mainly because of the cost factor be cause I do not have insurance currently) and I found that I had to take 4x the amount to get any relief. And at $150 a pack of 9 pills (for the generic) that's CRAZY. What I don't understand is why IF the same manufacturer makes the BRAND and the generic why would there be such a difference in my results?
I have had migraines for 45 years and started Imitrex four years ago. I take 3 - 4 50mg pills a month and get relief in just over an hour.
Three months ago my pharmacy replaced the brand name with Dr Reddy's generic. I am very satisfied and find absolutely no difference from the Imitrex brand .
My pharmacy also started substituting the generic brand because the insurance company dictated - they are paying. I can understand because Imitrex is so expensive. Noticed immediately the difference. Next refill the pharmacy substituted yet another generic brand which was even less effective. Spoke to my doctor and he had not heard of any complaints however did increase the dosage as I was on a very low dosage.
This seems to have helped. My insurance will not pay for the real thing under our plan and I'm retired, not rich. I too thought it must be me.
I've been using Imitrex for many years. When it became generic, I found it to be equally effective. For anyone considering Treximet, which is a combination of Imitrex and Naproxen, it is just as easy and far less expensive to use sumatriptan with Aleve or the generic of Aleve to get an even better result.
The good thing for me about separating the two drugs is that I sometimes find Imitrex alone effective...at other times, I use the combination because the headache threatens to become a migraine.