What is the drug Sumatriptan intended for? Instructions for use of this drug, its pharmacological effect, composition and form of release will be presented a bit further. Also in this article we will tell you about what contraindications, indications and side effects this medication has, what are its methods of use and dosage, whether it has analogues and so on.
The composition of the medicinal product and its form of release
Currently, in the pharmacy you can find only pills and the nasal spray Sumatriptan. Instructions for use of this tool give complete information about the composition of this drug. You can familiarize yourself with it right now.
Film-coated tablets contain an active substance such as sumatriptan succinate. As for the auxiliary elements, these include the following: calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, hyprolose (or Klucel LF hydroxypropyl cellulose), magnesium stearate, mannitol (or mannitol), croscarmellose sodium (or primellose).
The active substance of the Sumatriptan nasal spray is also sumatriptan. As for the auxiliary components, they can be changed in accordance with the form of release of the medication. It should be noted that spray is used for treatment much less often than tablets. However, they also have their own consumers. As a rule, these are those patients who are uncomfortable taking the medicine orally.
Pharmacological characteristics of the drug
What features are Sumatriptan tablets, reviews of which we will consider further?
Said preparation is an anti - migraine agent. It is a selective and specific agonist of 5-HT1-serotonin receptors that are localized in the blood vessels of the brain. It should be noted that the drug does not affect other subtypes of 5-HT-serotonin receptors.
After taking the drug, it causes a narrowing of the vessels belonging to the carotid arterial bed. Thus, the drug "Sumatriptan" (tablets) supplies blood to intracranial and extracranial tissues. It should be noted that it is the expansion of the vessels of the meninges, as well as their edema, that are the causes of the development of migraine in humans.
We can not say that after taking this tool does not have a significant (negative) effect on cerebral blood flow. Tablets only inhibit the activity of receptors of afferent fibers (their endings) of the trigeminal nerve, which is located in the dura mater. This happens due to a decrease in the release of sensory neuropeptides.
It should also be said that the drugs "Sumatriptan" and "Sumatriptan Teva" completely eliminate photophobia and nausea, which are directly associated with migraine attacks.
Medication effectiveness
How quickly does a positive effect occur after taking the drug Sumatriptan? Reviews of patients about this medication contain information that the drug begins to act only after 30 minutes. In this case, the patient must take a dose equal to 100 mg. By the way, it is in 50-70% of cases that patients quickly have migraine attacks after using 25-100 mg of the drug. During the day, 1/3 of patients develop relapse, which requires repeated use of the drug.
Pharmacokinetics
How long is Sumatriptan absorbed? The answer to this question is also contained in the instructions for using the tool. After taking the medication inside, it is almost immediately absorbed in the digestive tract. After about 45 minutes, the concentration of the drug in the blood serum reaches about 70%.
Due to incomplete absorption and presystem metabolism, the absolute bioavailability of the drug when taken orally averages 14%. As for binding to blood plasma proteins, it is very low (approximately 15-21%). The half-life is about 2 hours. The drug is excreted mainly through the kidneys.
Absorption of the drug in special clinical cases
According to experts, migraine attacks do not significantly affect the absorption of the active substance sumatriptan (when taken orally or intranasally).
If the patient has impaired liver function, then after using the medication, he may experience an increased level of the active component in the plasma. This occurs as a result of a decrease in the presystem clearance.
Indications for use of the drug
In what cases is the drug "Sumatriptan" prescribed? The instruction for use of this drug states that it should be taken only with manifestations of migraine attacks (without or with an aura).
Contraindications
In the presence of any deviations, it is strictly forbidden to take the drug "Sumatriptan", analogues of this drug? I would like to emphasize that in this regard, the instructions contain a large amount of information. That is why, before taking the medicine, it should be familiarized with it.
So what contraindications does the drug have? Consider the list right now:
- hypersensitivity of the patient to the elements of the drug;
- elderly patient age (over 65 years);
- basilar, ophthalmoplegic or hemiplegic form of migraine;
- simultaneous administration of a drug with medicines that contain ergotamine, its various derivatives, as well as MAO inhibitors (it is forbidden to take the drug for up to 14 days after the withdrawal of the mentioned drugs);
- coronary heart disease, as well as suspicion of it;
- adolescence and childhood (up to 18 years);
- angina pectoris, including Prinzmetal angina;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- myocardial infarction, including a history of;
- arterial hypertension (uncontrolled type);
- arterial hypertension (controlled type);
- peripheral arterial occlusion diseases;
- epilepsy, including any pathological conditions associated with a lowered epileptic threshold;
- renal or hepatic insufficiency;
- a stroke or a transient state of cerebrovascular accident, including a history of it.
As mentioned above, the drug "Sumatriptan" during pregnancy is prohibited to use. But if the risk to the fetus is less than the benefit to the mother, then it is still prescribed to women in position and nursing mothers. However, only an experienced specialist should do this (the drug is taken strictly under his supervision). By the way, it is highly recommended not to breastfeed the baby during the day after taking the mentioned tablets.
The drug "Sumatriptan": instructions for use
This drug is taken orally, regardless of the meal. The dosage in this case should be equal to 50 mg (if necessary - 100 mg).
If you decide to use the Sumatriptan nasal medication (spray), then its dose is 20 mg in each nasal passage. Repeated administration of the drug is permissible no earlier than 2 hours.
The maximum daily dosage for oral administration is 300 mg. With intranasal use of the drug, it is equal to two doses of 20 mg.
Features of the medication
Now you know how to beat a migraine. Sumatriptan (tablets and spray) copes well with the task. However, it should be noted that this medication is not intended to prevent the aforementioned deviation.
The use of the drug is possible only when the diagnosis is not in doubt. Before prescribing the Sumatriptan medication to patients with atypical and previously undiagnosed migraine, the doctor must exclude other dangerous neurological conditions. It should also be borne in mind that in patients with the mentioned diagnosis, after taking the tablets, the development of cerebrovascular disorder is possible.
The presence of deviations in the circulatory system (in men over 40 and in women in the postmenopausal period) requires a preliminary examination in order to exclude pathology from the side of the heart and blood vessels.
Currently, there is evidence of impaired coordination, weakness and hyperreflexia after taking the drug Sumatriptan and other drugs from the group of selective inhibitors.
Before and during treatment, the drug presented requires constant food intake, as well as a strict diet. So, the patient is recommended to exclude from his diet foods that contain the substance tyramine (chocolate, citrus fruits, cocoa, celery, nuts, cheeses, beans and tomatoes). In addition, it is necessary to abandon the use of alcoholic beverages, including red, sparkling and dry wines, champagne, beer.
Playing sports and maintaining a healthy lifestyle in general (walking, swimming, skiing), as well as the presence of a hobby contribute to the emergence of positive emotions, which prevents the development of migraine attacks in a sick person.
Instructions for use nasal spray
The trade name for the active substance sumatriptan spray is “Imigran”. This medication has the following parts:
- finger clip;
- tip;
- blue button.
It should be noted that the blue button works very quickly and only once. In this regard, it is not recommended to press it until the tip is inserted into the nasal passage. Otherwise, the entire dose will be wasted.
To use the nasal spray, the patient needs to take a comfortable lying, standing or sitting position. By the way, previously it is recommended to clean the patient’s nasal cavity with cotton buds.
After removing the blister pack and taking out the medication for nasal use, the drug must be introduced into one nostril. As for the other nasal passage, it should be pressed with your finger to the nasal septum. In this case, the patient should breathe through the mouth calmly.
Insert the tip of the nasal preparation into the nostril should be 1 centimeter. The patient's head should be kept straight, and not thrown back. After this, the patient should close his mouth and, taking a calm and slow breath through his nose, with the same effort to press the blue button with his thumb. At the same time, it may seem to a person that the button is very tight. But this is not so. During the injection of the drug into the nasal cavity, the patient should hear a faint click. This means that the button worked successfully.
After the described actions, the patient needs to open his mouth and slowly breathe through it. Keep your head straight. Next, the patient should take a calm breath through the nasal cavity, and then exhale through the mouth (for 10-20 seconds). It is not recommended to breathe too deeply.
After the injection procedure is completed, a person can feel the presence of moisture in the nose, as well as a weak taste. These sensations are not dangerous to health and very quickly pass spontaneously. After a single use, the dispenser can be discarded.
Special instructions for use
The drug Sumatriptan Teva, reviews of which are more positive, should be taken with extreme caution by vehicle drivers, as well as those involved in hazardous activities that require an increased reaction rate and special attention.
Side effects
Can Sumatriptan Medication provoke side effects? Drugs of this type can contribute to the development of a fairly large number of negative phenomena. Let's consider them in more detail:
- The human circulatory system. On the part of this system, a patient may experience low blood pressure, myocardial infarction, temporarily high blood pressure (usually soon after administration), heart palpitations, bradycardia, tachycardia, and in some cases arrhythmia, coronary artery spasms, transient ECG changes, Raynaud's syndrome.
- Nervous system and sensory organs. After taking the drug, a person may experience fatigue, dizziness, weakness and drowsiness. In some cases, the drug causes diplopia, convulsive attacks, the appearance of flashes of flies in front of the eyes, nystagmus, decreased visual acuity, cattle and partially transient loss of vision.
- Digestive tract. From the digestive side, the patient often has vomiting, dysphagia, nausea, as well as an increase (insignificant) in the activity of liver enzymes, discomfort in the abdomen, and ischemic colitis.
- Allergy. After taking the medication, some patients note the appearance of skin itching, rash, urticaria and erythema. Anaphylaxis, a sensation of heat, tingling and pain in the head, heaviness, pressure, flushing and myalgia are also observed. With intranasal administration of the drug, local reactions may occur in the form of a mild transient sensation of irritation or burning in the throat and nasal cavity, as well as nosebleeds.
Interaction with other drugs
How do other medicines affect the effectiveness and effects of Sumatriptan? Instructions, reviews of specialists in this regard contain the following information. With the simultaneous use of the drug with the Ergotamine medication, as well as ergotamine-containing agents, a long spasm of the vessels is possible in the patient. In this regard, the interval between doses of these drugs should be at least 24 hours.
According to studies, there is an interaction between the drug "Sumatriptan" and MAO inhibitors. In this case, the intensity of the metabolism of the first decreases, and its concentration increases.
With the simultaneous use of the mentioned agent against migraine attacks and drugs belonging to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, the patient may develop weakness, hyperreflexia and impaired coordination of movements.
Drug overdose (symptoms, treatment)
What will happen if you do not follow the dosage recommended by your doctor? With excessive use of the drug "Sumatriptan" in patients, an increase in the above adverse reactions is possible. In this regard, their condition requires special monitoring for 10 hours.
If necessary, with an overdose, the patient is provided with symptomatic treatment.
The drug "Sumatriptan": analogues and the price of the drug
You can buy this tool at any pharmacy. It should be noted that the price of the drug "Sumatriptan", compared with others, is relatively low. So, for 50 tablets in a film coating, you will have to give only 170-200 Russian rubles. As for the nasal product, its price is about the same.
Does the drug "Sumatriptan" have analogues? "Amigrenin" is a drug that is most often purchased to eliminate migraine attacks if the aforementioned remedy was not available in the pharmacy. In addition to it, the following medicines are analogues of the Sumatriptan medication for the active substance: Sumarin, Imigran, Sumitran, Migrepam, Sumatriptan-Teva, Sumatriptan Succinate, Sumatriptan Pfizer, Sumatriptan Adifarm "," Sumamigraine "," Trimigraine "and so on.
Also, as a similar nasal remedy, some experts recommend using the Imigran spray.
Storage conditions and shelf life
The presented preparation should be stored exclusively in a dry and protected from sunlight. In this case, the temperature in the room should not be more than 25 degrees. The shelf life of a medical device is 3 years. After this period, the drug is prohibited to use.