Only those who suffer from migraines know the pain. The pain that feels like your head is splitting, you can't look at the light, and you feel like vomiting all day long, right? Sometimes you can't even do your work properly because of this pain. So, when you start having such a severe migraine, one of the main medicines that doctors recommend to control it is Sumatriptan. Let's talk about this today.
What kind of medicine is Sumatriptan?
Simply put, Sumatriptan is a medication that is given to control the pain of a migraine after it has started . It belongs to a class of drugs called ``Triptans''. This medication works by blocking pain signals in the brain and slightly narrowing the blood vessels in the brain. This reduces the pain and other discomfort of a migraine.
The most important thing is that this is not a migraine prevention drug . That is, it will not work if you take it before a migraine attack. It is only used after the migraine pain has started.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Sumatriptan is not suitable for everyone. It can be dangerous for some people with certain conditions. Therefore, before your doctor prescribes this medicine, it is important to tell him if you have any of the following conditions:
| Condition or habit | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Heart disease, high blood pressure, or irregular heartbeat | Because sumatriptan narrows blood vessels, it may be at risk for heart disease in people with these conditions. |
| If you have had a stroke | This is very important because it can affect blood circulation in the brain. |
| If you are a smoker | Since smoking increases the risk of heart disease, doctors should be aware of this. |
| High cholesterol, diabetes mellitus | These are also risk factors related to heart disease and blood vessels. |
| Liver or kidney disease | Because this organ affects the process of removing medication from the body. |
| Circulatory problems in the fingers (hands/feet) | Medication can make this condition worse. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | It is essential to talk to the doctor about the possible effects on the child. |
| Allergies to other medications, foods, or substances | To find out if you are allergic to sumatriptan or any of its ingredients. |
How to use the medicine?
Usually, you should take this pill with a glass of water as soon as your migraine starts. Take only the prescribed dose as directed by your doctor . Do not use more than you need. Sometimes the pain may subside after the first dose and then return. If this happens, ask your doctor exactly if you need to take a second dose and how often to take it.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have accidentally taken too much medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
This medicine is for you only. Do not give this medicine to anyone else who has a headache, even if the doctor gave it to you for your migraine. It can be dangerous.
Medicines that should not be used with Sumatriptan
Sumatriptan may interact with some medications. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies). In particular, do not use Sumatriptan with the following medications:
- Other migraine medications: Other types of ``Triptans'' such as Almotriptan, Eletriptan, Rizatriptan.
- Ergot Alkaloids: Medicines like Dihydroergotamine and Ergotamine.
- MAOIs: Medications for depression such as Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate.
Also, some medications for conditions like depression or anxiety can interact with this. Therefore, give your doctor a complete list of all the medications you are taking.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel a little drowsy and dizzy. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you. Do not get up or sit down suddenly.
- Medication Overuse Headache: This is something that many people don't know, but it's very important. If you take migraine medication more than 10 days a month, the medication itself may be making your headaches worse . So keep a journal of the days you get headaches and the days you take your medication. If you notice that your headaches are getting more frequent, talk to your doctor.
- Changes in vision: If you notice any changes in your vision, tell your doctor immediately.
Serious and common side effects
Like any medicine, Sumatriptan can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are mild.
| Serious side effects that require immediate medical attention | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Symptoms of a heart attack | Chest tightness, pain, pain radiating to the shoulders, arms, or jaw, difficulty breathing, sweating. |
| Symptoms of a Stroke | Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the face, arm, or leg, difficulty speaking, difficulty walking, severe headache. |
| Serotonin Syndrome | Restlessness, confusion, rapid heartbeat, muscle cramps, high fever, vomiting, diarrhea. |
| Other serious symptoms | Sudden increase in blood pressure, loss of vision, severe stomach cramps, seizures. |
| Usually not serious (but tell your doctor if it's bothersome) | |
| Dizziness | Feeling lightheaded. |
| General discomfort | Feeling of lifelessness and fatigue. |
Take-Home Message
- Sumatriptan is a medication used after a migraine attack , not a medication that prevents it from occurring.
- Before taking this medication, tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
- If you experience serious side effects, such as chest pain or numbness, seek medical advice immediately.
- Do not take this medication for more than 10 days a month. Doing so may make your headaches worse.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with anyone else.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න