Sumatriptan belongs to a group of medicines called 5-HT (hydroxytryptamine) 1 receptor agonist. Sumatriptan is used for the acute relief of migraine attacks with or without aura. An aura is a pre-warning of a migraine attack and it can cause sensitivity to light, sounds and smells, flashing lights, numbness or tingling, dizziness, and difficulty speaking.
Sumatriptan comes in tablet form, as a nasal spray or an injection and is used to treat migraines and cluster headaches once a migraine has started. Tablets are used for migraine only, with the nasal spray or injection recommended for cluster headaches.
Sumatriptan is recommended for use if painkillers have not worked and are not to be used as a preventative medicine. The medicine is available on prescription, however, you can buy them without a prescription from a pharmacy but only if you have been diagnosed with migraines.
What is the cause of a migraine?
Although we do not know what causes migraines and cluster headaches, it may be due to the temporary widening of blood vessels in your brain. Sumatriptan works by narrowing these blood vessels.
You may experience the following with your migraine:
- Pre-warning symptoms – start hours or one to two days beforehand and can include tiredness, yawning, mood changes and stiff neck
- With or without aura – sensitivity to light, sounds and smells, flashing lights, numbness or tingling, dizziness, difficulty speaking
- With or without moderate to severe headache – lasting 4–72 hours, unilateral, throbbing
- Nausea and/or vomiting
Some causes include:
- Menstruation
- Dehydration
- Stress and tiredness
- Skipping meals
- Caffeine