Clinical data | |
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Trade names | Imitrex, Imigran, others |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
License data |
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Routes of administration | oral, subcutaneous injection, nasal spray, transdermal electrophoresis |
ATC code | |
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Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | 15% (oral) / 96% (by subcutaneous injection) |
Protein binding | 14–21% |
Metabolism | Monoamine oxidase (MAO) |
Elimination half-life | 2.5 hours |
Excretion | 60% urine; 40% feces |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.130.518 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C14H21N3O2S |
Molar mass | 295.40 g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
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Sumatriptan, sold under the brand name Imitrex among others, is a medication used to treat migraine headaches and cluster headaches.[1] It is taken orally, intranasally, or by subcutaneous injection.[2] Therapeutic effects generally occur within three hours.[2]
Its primary effect as a serotonin 5-HT1B/5-HT1D receptor agonist[3] can create common side effects such as chest pressure, fatigue, vomiting, tingling, and vertigo.[2] Serious side effects may include serotonin syndrome, heart attacks, strokes, and seizures.[2] With excessive use, medication overuse headaches may occur.[2] It is unclear if use during pregnancy or breastfeeding is safe.[4] The mechanism of action is not entirely clear.[2] It is in the triptan class of medications.[2]
Sumatriptan was patented in 1982 and approved for medical use in 1991.[5] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[6] It is available as a generic medication.[1] In 2022, it was the 95th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 6 million prescriptions.[7][8] It is also available as the combination product sumatriptan/naproxen.