Sumatriptan
Sumatriptan is an acute treatment for selected migraine or cluster headache attacks. It does not prevent future attacks and should not be used for an undiagnosed new severe headache.
Key points
- Heart or vascular disease, uncontrolled blood pressure and some migraine medicines can make sumatriptan unsafe.
- Frequent use can contribute to medication-overuse headache and needs review.
- Chest pain, stroke signs or a sudden severe unfamiliar headache needs emergency care.
Listings are for comparison only. Suitability and supply depend on clinician and pharmacy checks, stock, destination rules and prescription requirements.
How it works
Sumatriptan activates serotonin 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors, changing pain signalling and cranial blood-vessel activity during an attack.
Important safety checks
Coronary, cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, liver disease, hemiplegic or brainstem-aura migraine and recent ergot or other triptan use require review. Serotonergic medicines can add serotonin-toxicity risk.
When to seek urgent care
Seek emergency help for chest pressure or pain, fainting, facial droop, limb weakness, speech difficulty, a sudden severe or unfamiliar headache, or severe agitation with fever and muscle rigidity.