Physicians prescribe Imitrex (sumatriptan succinate) for acute migraine headache sufferers after other types of headache diagnoses have been ruled out. RxList.com states that Imitrax has not yet been cleared for other migraine headache types, such as hemiplegic or basilar migraines. Hemiplegic migraine headaches appear with stroke or epileptic symptoms, and basilar migraine headaches tend to afflict young women beginning with feelings of vertigo. Imitrex also has not been found to be effective with cluster headaches, which tend to affect older men. Because of the risks associated with Imitrex, the medication is only prescribed for the acute migraine sufferer.
Heart Attack
Patients taking Imitrex assume the risk of heart attack and other adverse cardiac events. RxList.com says that Imitrex should not be prescribed to those who have had any history of cardiac disease or have indications heart disease may arise from factors such as obesity, smoking, diabetes or high blood pressure.
Dizziness
Taking Imitrex can leave you feeling dizzy and drowsy. The Mayo Clinic warns patients taking Imitrex not to drive or operate machinery after taking it because they will have trouble staying alert. Any central nervous system depressant, like alcohol or antihistamines, can make the drowsiness and dizziness even worse and should be avoided when taking Imitrex.
Serotonin Syndrome
Taking Imitrex can set off a possibly fatal condition called serotonin syndrome, when your body produces too much serotonin. The syndrome is especially likely if you are taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) at the same time that you are taking Imitrex, according to RxList.com. The syndrome may include hallucinations, coma, hyperthermia, vomiting and diarrhea and if left untreated can be fatal.
Misdiagnoses
If a physician prescribes Imitrex and the patient suffers from another malady then migraine headaches, a serious condition may go undiagnosed. RxList warns that if you don't respond to the first dose of Imitrex, the diagnosis of migraine should be re-examined before taking another dose. The website states that there have been reports of a patient being given Imitrex when she actually had been suffering from an evolving neurological lesion.
Embrionic Toxicity
A pregnant mother may be endangering the life of her unborn fetus if she takes Imitrex. The National Institutes of Health states that in toxicity studies with rats and rabbits, Imitrex caused both abnormalities and death in the unborn fetus. Because of these findings, the drug is a class C medication and should not be used with pregnant mothers.
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