How To Take Oral Imitrex
March 20th, 2010
Imitrex (sumatriptan succinate) is a vasoconstrictor medication used for treating migraine and cluster headaches. It is commonly prescribed in its tablet form to be taken in orally although injectable forms are also available. Please consult your health care provider prior to taking in the medication.
The generic form of Imitrex is sumatriptan succinate which is from the class of drugs called selective serotonin receptor agonists. Imitrex works like the brain’s chemical neurotransmitter called serotonin and binds with the serotonin receptors causing vasoconstriction. It is believed that dilatation of blood vessels in the head is the major cause of migraine headaches.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Difficulty: Easy
Things You’ll Need: Imitrex Prescription from Physician
STEP 1: Discuss with your doctors your medical condition and current pain medications for your migraine headache. Ask him if a prescription for Imitrex would be needed to treat your migraine.
STEP 2: You should take one tablet with or without ingestion of food once symptoms of migraine appear. Dosage will be regulated by your physician. If the headache is unrelieved after the first dose, take the second dose after 2 hours.
STEP 3: Do not exceed 200 milligrams nor take more than 3 doses within the 24-hour period without consulting your physician.
REMINDERS & PRECAUTIONS:
- Read the label carefully of your medication bottle before taking in any drug. This will prevent any problems regarding wrong medication intake.
- If the maximum dosage has been reached and the migraine is still unrelieved, please do not take in more. In this case, please contact your physician immediately.
- Please call your nearest health care provider immediately if you experience any of the following signs or symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Seizures
- Numbness or weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Stomach pain
- If you have preexisting liver or heart problems, please inform your physician.
- If you are a nursing mother, please avoid breastfeeding your baby 12 hours after taking in oral Imitrex as the drug can pass on to the milk.
- For those with uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension), please do not take this drug. Discuss with your doctor other possible options to treat your migraine headache.
- For any other concerns regarding Imitrex, please discuss it with your health care provider.
Imitrex is also available in injectable form which is usually provided as the first dose while in the doctor’s office. The oral Imitrex usually backs-up the injection if the previous partially treats the migraine. Oral Imitrex tablets are available in 25 milligrams up to 100 milligrams doses. The second dose must be administered after two hours only if there is partial or no relief from taking in of the first dose. However, the doctor must be informed about this prior to taking the second dose.