Imitrex is a brand name for the generic medication sumatriptan. It may be taken by mouth, as an injection, or by spraying the medication into the nose. According to the pharmacology database MicroMedex, Imitrex in its various forms has several uses, some of which are approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), and some of which are considered "off-label" uses.
Treatment of Acute Migraine Headaches
Imitrex is an FDA-approved treatment of migraine headaches in adult patients. It may be taken by mouth as a pill, by an injection, or as a nasal spray to relieve the debilitating pain associated with migraine headaches. According to MicroMedex, most patients who use Imitrex to relieve their headaches find that their symptoms are virtually gone within 90 minutes of taking the medication. In children with migraine headaches, Imitrex is not yet approved by the FDA. However, a 2004 study published in the medical journal "Neurology" found that in a large group of 12 to 17-year olds, nasal Imitrex was effective at treating an acute migraine, and was well-tolerated with few side effects. The conclusion of the authors of the study was that nasal spray Imitrex should be considered as a possible treatment option when a teenager, age 12 to 17, is having an acute migraine headache. In both adults and children, it is important to note that Imitrex is not intended to be used in the prevention of frequent migraines--only to stop the symptoms once they begin.
Treatment of Cluster Headaches
The online medical reference, UpToDate reports that another use of Imitrex, when taken as an injection under the skin, is to relieve cluster headache symptoms. Drs. Roger Simon, David Greenberg and Michael Aminoff, writing in the medical textbook "Clinical Neurology," describe the cluster headache syndrome as episodes of constant, very painful headaches that tend to always occur on one side. They are much more common in men and are generally quite brief, lasting anywhere from 15 minutes to about two hours. As the name implies, these headaches come in clusters, with headaches appearing for a period of weeks or months, and then disappearing, leaving the person headache-free. When the cluster recurs, it is on the same side of the head, often at the same time of day or night, and can make it difficult for the person to sleep. MicroMedex reports that the injectable form of Imitrex is approved by the FDA for treatment of cluster headaches and summarizes two studies done on this form of Imitrex: when injected within 10 minutes of a severe cluster headache, a significant proportion of patients found that their symptoms were improved, when compared with patients who were given a placebo, inactive, medication.
Treatment of Post-Surgical Pain in the Eye
The oral form of Imitrex has also been used to relieve pain in the eyes of patients who have undergone a type of eyes surgery called photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). This use of Imitrex is not approved by the FDA; however, a small study of 15 patients found that 13 patients experienced significant relief of severe pain following their surgeries. It is important to note that one small study is not considered proof that a medication is safe and effective. However, if a patient has undergone this type of eye surgery, and is experiencing severe pain after the surgery, his doctor may suggest this as a possible treatment option.
References
- "Neurology";Practice parameter: pharmacological treatment of migraine headache in children and adolescents: report of the American Academy of Neurology Quality Standards Subcommittee and the Practice Committee of the Child Neurology Society; D. Lewis et. al.; December 2004
- "UpToDate"; Denise S. Basow; 2010
- MicroMedex: Sumatriptan
- "Clinical Neurology"; Roger Simon, David Greenberg, and Michael Aminoff; 2009
