About Imitrex
Imitrex is prescribed to stop or reduce the pain and debilitating
symptoms of migraine attacks
at their onset. The injection form of Imitrex may be used to treat
cluster headaches. Imitrex has no effect on other types of pain,
and does not treat tension headaches or certain rare types of migraine.
Also, while Imitrex is a highly effective migraine treatment, it
doesn't work for everyone. A failure to respond to Imitrex (or other
triptan) treatment is not the same as a negative diagnosis for migraine.
Your doctor may prescribe Imitrex in combination with a headache
reduction therapy, as Imitrex does not prevent or reduce the
number of attacks. If you get migraines twice or more per
week on a regular basis, talk to your doctor about an appropriate
headache reduction therapy.
Often people find that even if Imitrex doesn't completely
stop a migraine, it will often reduce the pain and secondary
symptoms (nausea, light and noise sensitivity, etc.) to a
manageable level. As Imitrex is not a barbiturate or a narcotic,
it very rarely causes drowsiness or other side effects that
interfere with your normal functioning, and does not appear
to have abuse potential.
Imitrex works by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain,
which has been shown to dip during migraine attacks. It also seems
to affect contraction in the blood vessels which is associated with
migraine pain, but because of this is not suitable for some individuals
with a history of heart or artery disease.
Imitrex is only available by prescription.
Imitrex Side Effects
If you feel dizzy or fatigued after your migraine, or after taking
Imitrex, do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you feel
better.
More Common Imitrex Side Effects: Altered sense of taste,
burning in nose, discharge in nose, pain or soreness in nose, burning
at injection site, pain at injection site, redness at injection
site, discomfort in jaw, mouth, tongue, throat, nose, or sinuses,
dizziness, drowsiness, burning or warm sensation, heat, numbness,
tightness, or tingling, feeling cold, feeling strange or weak, flushing,
lightheadedness, muscle aches or cramps, stiffness, vertigo, nausea
or vomiting. Check with your doctor if these persist.
Less Common Imitrex Side Effects: Agitation, altered sense
of smell, anxiety, constipation, depression, diarrhea, difficulty
concentrating, difficulty urinating or frequent urination, feeling
of well-being, fainting, hearing problems, menstrual pain, sweating,
tearing, tremors, visual disturbances.
Stop taking Imitrex and speak to your doctor soon if the
following rare side effects occur: Heaviness, pain, or tightness
in chest or neck, racing heartbeat, skin rash, hives, itching, difficulty
swallowing.
Check with your doctor immediately if these rare side effects
occur: Severe chest pain, color change in the face, puffiness or
swelling around eyes or in face, difficulty breathing, wheezing.
Cautions: Imitrex may not
be suitable for everyone, and some people may need careful monitoring
if they are to use Imitrex. Discuss any history of the following
conditions with your doctor:
- Angina (chest pain)
- Blood vessel disease
- Fast, irregular pulse
- High blood pressure
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Stroke - increased chance of side effects with Imitrex
Imitrex has sometimes caused dangerous side effects in people with circulatory system problems. Make sure that your doctor checks for these conditions before starting treatment.
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Imitrex Interactions
Taking Imitrex in combination with the following medications could result in unwanted interactions or increase the effect of one of the medications. Since these reactions could be dangerous, be sure to talk to your doctor about adjusting your dosage or discontinuing treatment if you take any of the following medications.
- Alcohol - Alcoholic beverages can cause or worsen a headache.
Try to avoid these, especially during an attack.
- Effexor (venlafaxine) - Combination may result in weakness and poor coordination, do not use Imitrex during Effexor treatment.
- Ergotamine based migraine treatments such as DHE 45 injections,
Cafergot, Ergostat, Migranal nasal spray, or Sansert, should not
be used within 24 hours of using Imitrex.
- MAO inhibitors - Imitrex must never be mixed with MAO (monoamine
oxidase) inhibitors such as the antidepressants Eldepryl (selegiline),
Furoxone (furazolidone), Nardil (phenelzine), Marplan (isocarboxazid),
Matulane (procarbazine), or Parnate (tranylcypromine). Never
use Imitrex within 2 weeks of stopping an MAO inhibitor, and do
not start using an MAO inhibitor within two weeks of stopping
Imitrex. This drug interaction could prove dangerous.
- Migraine medications of the same class (triptans) as Imitrex
such as Amerge (naratriptan),
Maxalt (rizatriptan), or Zomig (zolmitriptan), should not be used
within 24 hours of each other.
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Celexa
(citalopram), Paxil (paroxetine),
Prozac (fluoxetine), Luvox (fluvoxamine), or Zoloft (sertraline).
- Tryptophan or 5-HTP supplements should not be used with Imitrex.
They may be found in amino acid supplements or by themselves,
and could dangerously increase serotonin levels when taken in
combination with Imitrex.
Imitrex may safely be used with tricyclic antidepressants (such
as Sinequan [doxepin] or Elavil [amitriptyline]) when they are prescribed
as a long term migraine reduction therapy. Other medications that
may be prescribed as preventive therapy in combination with Imitrex
include Valium (diazepam)
and Inderal (propanolol).
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Imitrex Dosages
Immitrex is available in the following forms:
- Tablets - (for treatment of migraine) 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg,
do not use more than 200 mg in a 24 hour period.
- Nasal Spray - (for treatment of migraine) 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg,
do not use more than 40 mg in a 24 hour period.
- Injection - (for treatment of cluster headaches) 6 mg injection,
do not use more than two doses in a 24 hour period. Some patients
may be directed to use no more than two doses in a 48 hour period.
Wait at least an hour between doses.
Imitrex Directions
Take Imitrex as soon as you start feeling pain. Imitrex will probably
not stop a headache if it's taken during the aura phase, but can
be taken at any time after the pain begins.
If you do not feel better 2-4 hours after taking the tablet form,
or 1-2 hours after taking the injection form, do not take more Imitrex
for this attack. If the pain goes away but then comes back later,
you can take another dose. Imitrex may not work for every migraine,
so discuss an alternative pain treatment for those occasions with
your doctor. If your headaches get worse, or if Imitrex has not
worked for three headaches in a row, talk with your doctor.
Imitrex should only be taken at the time of an attack. It
should not be taken daily or rebound migraines may begin to occur.
If you find yourself using Imitrex more than 2-3 times per week,
speak to your doctor about preventive therapy, or about trying a
different preventive therapy.
Swallow Imitrex tablets whole, do not break them. Follow the package
instructions on the nasal spray. Follow your doctor's instructions
concerning the injection form, and be sure to properly dispose of
cartridges and needles in their container after use. The auto-injector
itself is re-usable.
Keep out of reach of children. Store tablets in a dry place, avoid
storing in a bathroom or near a sink, keep away from light and heat.
Nasal spray and injection forms must not be allowed to freeze. discard
unused or out of date medication safely.
Imitrex and Pregnancy
Imitrex has not been studied in pregnancy. Animal studies indicate that a dose sufficient to harm the fetus would also harm the mother.
Imitrex does pass into breast milk, its effects on newborns are unknown.
If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, discuss your Imitrex treatment with your doctor.
Imitrex and Children
Imitrex has not been studied in individuals under 18.
Imitrex and Seniors
Imitrex has been studied in a small number of adults over 65 and did not appear to have different side effects. Still, no conclusive studies have been carried out on the effects of Imitrex in elderly patients.
Certain health problems, more common in the elderly, are contraindications for Imitrex treatment.
Imitrex is a trademark of GlaxoSmithKline
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This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute
for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms
or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general
guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor
or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made
every effort to ensure that this information is accurate,
but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination,
is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
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