How long does Imitrex (sumatriptan) take to work?
Imitex (sumatriptan) can start to work within 30 minutes of taking a dose. However, it may take a few hours for you to notice the full effects.
In clinical studies, more people had a response 4 hours after taking a dose of Imitrex compared to 2 hours.
If a single dose does not completely relieve migraine symptoms, you can take a second dose as long as you have had a response to the first dose and it has been at least 2 hours since taking it. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.
The maximum recommended daily dose of Imitrex tablets is 200 mg in a 24 hour period.
References
Sumatriptan. Revised 12/2023. Bionpharma Inc. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=e90b0eea-c424-4f00-98da-6ed6e80de1f6
Read next
Ubrelvy vs Imitrex (sumatriptan): How do they compare?
Ubrelvy and Imitrex are both oral tablets used to treat migraine, but there are differences in the way they work. Ubrelvy prevents a protein called CGRP thought to play a role in migraine attacks from binding to its receptor and Imitrex is thought to bind to serotonin 5‑HT1B/1D receptors, and inhibit pro-inflammatory substances Although no head-to-head comparison trials compare Ubrelvy to Imitrex, indirect evidence suggests that overall, Ubrelvy is no more effective, and may be inferior to Imitrex at relieving migraine in adults who are able to tolerate triptans. For those adults with moderate-to-severe migraine attacks that cannot tolerate triptans or who have found them ineffective, Ubrelvy is beneficial for treating migraines compared to no treatment. Ubrelvy is associated with fewer side effects than Imitrex, but is more expensive, costing almost twice as much. Continue reading
How often can you take Imitrex (sumatriptan)?
How often you can take Imitrex (sumatriptan) depends on which form you are taking. Imitrex comes as a tablet, nasal spray, and injection. Each form of Imitrex has its own specific dosing recommendations. Do not take more Imitrex than what’s prescribed to you, since taking too much can lead to serious side effects. Continue reading
Why does Imitrex (sumatriptan) make me feel weird?
Imitrex (sumatriptan) can cause a variety of side effects, which may make you feel weird after taking it. It is not fully understood what causes these side effects, but some could be related to how Imitrex affects blood vessels and nerves. Continue reading
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