Imigran nasal spray (sumatriptan)

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Irritation or burning sensation in the nose or throat.

Nosebleeds.

Sensation of tightness, pressure, tingling, heaviness, heat or pain in any part of the body, including the chest and throat (see warning above).

Dizziness.

Drowsiness.

Flushing.

Increase in blood pressure.

Weakness.

Fatigue.

Nausea and vomiting (though these may also be due to the migraine).

Visual disturbances (though these may also be due to the migraine).

Increased or decreased heart rate (tachycardia or bradycardia).

Awareness of your heart beat (palpitations).

Alteration in results of liver function tests.

Tremor.

Seizures.

Narrowing of the blood vessels in the hands leading to periods of white, painful hands (Raynaud's phenomenom).

Stiff neck.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

This medicine must not be taken at the same time as, or within two weeks of, taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), for example, the antidepressants phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid and moclobemide, and the antibiotic linezolid. This is because these medicines could increase the blood level of sumatriptan and therefore increase the risk of side effects.

This medicine must not taken within 24 hours of taking ergotamine or its derivatives, eg dihydroergotamine or methysergide. These medicines should not be taken within six hours of taking sumatriptan.

If your first dose of sumatriptan does not work to relieve your migraine, it is fine to take a painkiller containing aspirin, paracetamol, or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen. However, as noted above, you should not take ergotamine, dihydroergotamine or methysergide for at least six hours after taking sumatriptan.

There may be an increased risk of a rare side effect called the serotonin syndrome if sumatriptan is taken in combination with other medicines that enhance the activity of serotonin in the central nervous system, such as the following:

selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants (SSRIs), such as citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine or sertraline

serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), such as venlafaxine or duloxetine

the herbal remedy St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum).

If you are taking any of these medicines you should let your doctor know if you experience symptoms such as confusion, agitation, tremor, muscle twitching, shivering, sweating, racing heartbeat or diarrhoea after taking sumatriptan.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

Imigran recovery

Imigran subject

Imigran tablets

Sumatriptan tablets are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.

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