What drug class is Imitrex
Mia Kelly
Published Apr 05, 2026
Sumatriptan belongs to a class of drugs known as triptans. It affects a certain natural substance (serotonin) that causes narrowing of blood vessels in the brain.
Is sumatriptan narcotic?
Is Sumatriptan a narcotic? Sumatriptan is not a narcotic. It is a type of medication known as a ‘triptan’. These are selective serotonin receptor agonists (or 5HT agonists) — painkillers specifically used to relieve migraine attacks.
What does Imitrex do to the body?
Imitrex (sumatriptan) is a headache medicine that narrows blood vessels around the brain. Sumatriptan also reduces substances in the body that can trigger headache pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other migraine symptoms.
Is Imitrex 100 mg a controlled substance?
Imitrex is used in the treatment of cluster headaches; migraine and belongs to the drug class antimigraine agents. Risk cannot be ruled out during pregnancy. Imitrex 100 mg is not a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).How does Imitrex make you feel?
You may feel pain, pressure, tightness, or heaviness in your chest, neck, or jaw after taking a dose of Imitrex. These sensations can feel intense, but they typically improve quickly. In clinical studies: up to 3% of people who took Imitrex tablets had these sensations.
Are triptans addictive?
Results: Among the 309,178 reports recorded in the database, drug dependence accounted for 0.8% (2,489) of the reports, with 10.9% (449) involving a triptan, and 9.33% (332) an ergot derivative. The risk of dependence was similar for triptans and ergot derivatives and did not differ from that of benzodiazepines.
Why is 9 Imitrex a month?
However, some prescription plans use this statement to mean a maximum of 4 treatment days per month with an average of 1 ½ doses per headache, thus limiting coverage to 6 pills per month. Since Imitrex comes in packages of 9, you are allowed 9 per month.
Can you cut Imitrex in half?
General. You can take sumatriptan tablets with or without food. Do not cut or crush the tablet.Does Imitrex contain caffeine?
Welcome to MyMigraineConnection! None of the Migraine abortive medications have caffeine in them: Triptans: Imitrex, Maxalt, Zomig, Amerge, Relpax, Axert, Frova. Imitrex is now available as the generic sumatriptan or combined with naproxen sodium in Treximet.
Is migraine medicine addictive?Patients taking opioids and barbiturates for migraine are more likely than those who take triptans to report that migraines “always” limit their daily activities. An astonishing 36% of migraine patients who take opioids or barbiturates don’t know that these drugs are potentially addictive.
Article first time published onCan you drive after taking Imitrex?
Some people feel dizzy or drowsy during or after a migraine, or using sumatriptan to relieve a migraine. As long as you are feeling dizzy or drowsy, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or not alert.
Does Imitrex raise blood pressure?
Blood pressure: Sumatriptan may cause an increase in blood pressure. If you have severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure, do not take sumatriptan. Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Drowsiness may occur as a result of taking this medication.
What migraine medications cause weight loss?
Now a new drug called topiramate, also known as Topomax, has been found to not only calm down overactive nerve cells in the brain and help fight migraines. Researchers have also discovered that it can help you lose weight.
Why does sumatriptan make my body hurt?
These results suggest that mild vasoconstriction in peripheral skeletal muscle is associated with the action of sumatriptan and is likely to be the source of the side-effects experienced by some users.
Can sumatriptan be taken with Tylenol?
No interactions were found between sumatriptan and Tylenol. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Can you drink alcohol with Imitrex?
Using Sumatriptan and alcohol Alcohol should not have any impact on the effectiveness of Sumatriptan. However, you may want to avoid alcohol (or at least limit your intake) during a migraine as this may possibly make your migraine symptoms worse and exacerbate your condition.
Is the drug gabapentin?
Gabapentin is used with other medications to prevent and control seizures. It is also used to relieve nerve pain following shingles (a painful rash due to herpes zoster infection) in adults. Gabapentin is known as an anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drug.
What can you not take with Imitrex?
do not take sumatriptan if you have taken any of the following medications in the past 24 hours: other selective serotonin receptor agonists such as almotriptan (Axert), eletriptan (Relpax), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or ergot-type medications such as …
Can Imitrex cause rebound headaches?
Triptans such as sumatriptan (Imitrex) and zolmitriptan (Zomig)—and even analgesics such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen—can also cause medication-overuse headache.
Can you get addicted to Imitrex?
If you’re taking sumatriptan for the first time, you may have questions about its safety and whether it’s addictive. Sumatriptan isn’t a habit-forming narcotic, but it is possible to overuse migraine medications. One result is a medication overuse headache (MOH) or “rebound headache” (Diener, 20014).
Is citalopram controlled substance?
Is citalopram a controlled substance or a benzodiazepine? No, citalopram isn’t a controlled substance. It’s also not in the class of drugs called benzodiazepines, which are controlled substances. Citalopram is a type of medication called a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.
Is Imitrex or Maxalt better?
Imitrex (Sumatriptan) is an excellent choice for acute migraine relief, but you might need another medication to prevent headaches. Treats migraine headaches. Maxalt (Rizatriptan) is great for relieving short migraines, but doesn’t work as well for long-lasting headaches.
Does sumatriptan keep you awake?
Use sumatriptan as soon as the migraine headache or cluster headache develops. It can make you feel tired or sleepy. If this happens, do not drive and do not use tools or machines. Your chest may feel tight or ‘heavy’ after taking sumatriptan.
Can I take Excedrin and sumatriptan?
No interactions were found between Excedrin Tension Headache and sumatriptan. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
How long does sumatriptan stay in your system?
How long do sumatriptan side effects last? Sumatriptan is a short-acting medication with a half-life of around two hours. A sumatriptan dose will be completely cleared from the body in 10 hours.
Can you crush Imitrex?
Swallow the tablet whole with water or other liquids. Do not crush, break, or chew it. You may take the tablet with or without food. This medicine comes with a patient information leaflet.
Can I take ibuprofen with sumatriptan?
Sumatriptan with painkillers If your first dose of sumatriptan doesn’t work to relieve your migraine, it’s fine to take a painkiller containing aspirin, paracetamol, or a non–steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen.
What is better than Fioricet for Migraines?
Imitrex (Sumatriptan) is an excellent choice for acute migraine relief, but you might need another medication to prevent headaches. Fioricet (butalbital / acetaminophen / caffeine) works better and faster in treating tension headaches than the combination of acetaminophen and codeine.
Is it OK to take Fioricet everyday?
According to the manufacturer, the typical dose for Fioricet or Fiorinal is one to two tablets, every four to six hours as needed, not to exceed six tablets per day. These drugs should not be taken more than twice a week, as extended and repeated use of butalbital can lead to physical dependence.
What's the best tablet for migraine?
Many people who have migraines find that over-the-counter painkillers, such as paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen, can help to reduce their symptoms. They tend to be most effective if taken at the first signs of a migraine attack, as this gives them time to absorb into your bloodstream and ease your symptoms.
Where is the Botox injected for migraines?
You might get injections in your forehead, temples, and the back of your head and neck. Sometimes the specialist will inject areas called “trigger points” where the headache pain originates.