Migraines are powerful headaches which can be incapacitating. Patients may also experience nausea and an extreme aversion to sound and light. Sometimes patients with migraines will develop a sensation, known as an aura, that indicates a migraine will occur in the near future. Sumatriptan is a generic drug which can be used to help relieve the symptoms of a migraine.
Uses
The main use for sumatriptan, according to RxList.com, is for the treatment of migraines. This medication can be used for migraines with or without the presence of aura. Sumatriptan should not be used to prevent migraines, however. It also is not indicated for the treatment of migraines that only affect one side of the head or for basilar migraines, which localize to the base of the skull.
Vascular Mechanism
Although the exact cause of migraines is not understood, Drugs.com notes that one theory is that they are related to the dilation of some blood vessels around the brain. Sumatriptan is known as a 5-HT 1D agonist, which means that it is able to mimic the effects of the chemical serotonin in a small subset of cells. Its ability to mimic serotonin can cause the blood vessels around the brain to constrict, which can help relieve migraine pain.
Other Effects
Sumatriptan can also alter some of the nerve signals that are related to migraines, HealthScout.com explains. Sumatriptan is able to mimic the effects of serotonin on the trigeminal nerve, which is a nerve that is located in the head. HealthScout notes that sumatriptan may be able to modulate the signals that this nerve sends, which may also play a role in its anti-migraine effects. It is important to note that according to Drugs.com, sumatriptan only affects a small subset of cells in the body, which keeps it from altering the activity of other neurons in the body.
Pharmacology
Sumatriptan can be given orally, nasally or via an injection just under the skin, HealthScout explains. The amount of the drug that is available for use by the body, however, is relatively low; depending on the route of administration, 15 percent to 20 percent of the medication is able to have a pharmacological effect. This is because the liver metabolizes most of the drug into an inactive form; nasal and oral administration are also hindered by poor absorption of the drug. Drugs.com notes that sumatriptan begins to relieve pain between 10 and 30 minutes after it is given.
Side Effects
Because sumatriptan causes the constriction of blood vessels, it should not be used in patients with high blood pressure, HealthScout notes. This medication should also not be given to people with coronary artery disease or angina, because there is the risk that it could cause the temporary closure of coronary arteries. Some patients also feel tightness in their chest and jaw after taking sumatriptan.
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