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Uses of Imitrex

Imitrex is used to treat acute migraine headache with or without aura (flashing lights, wavy lines, dark spots) in adults. It should not be used to prevent migraines or cluster headaches.

How to take Imitrex

How much medicine you take and how often you take it depends on many factors, including the condition being treated, your age, and weight. If you have any questions about the amount and/or frequency of the medicine you are taking, talk with your health care provider. Carefully read the information provided with this medicine and reread it each time you get this prescription refilled. Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your health care provider. This medicine is intended to relieve acute migraine headaches. Do not use it to prevent or reduce the number of attacks you experience. Use this medicine only to treat an actual migraine attack. Take 1 tablet whole with fluids as soon as migraine symptoms appear. A second dose may be taken after the first dose if there is only a partial response or symptoms of the migraine return. Wait 2 hours after taking the first does. If your symptoms do not improve after the first dose, do not take a second dose for the same attack without contacting your health care provider. Do not take a second tablet without first talking with your health care provider. Do not take more than 200 mg in any 24-hour period. The safety of treating more than 4 headaches in a 30-day period has not been established. Contact your health care provider at once if you experience pain or tightness in the chest or throat while using this medicine, or if the pain or tightness is severe or does not go away. 

Contact your health care provider at once if you have sudden or severe stomach pain while taking this medicine. Contact your health care provider at once if shortness of breath, wheezing, heart throbbing, swelling of eyelids, face, or lips, skin rash or lumps, or hives occur. If you experience tingling, abnormally high body temperature, redness of the face, heaviness, pressure, drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, or sickness after using this medicine, notify your health care provider during your next visit.

Do not use this medicine if you are not using adequate birth control methods or if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant without talking with your health care provider.a If your medicine has expired, throw it away. If your health care provider stops treatment, throw away any leftover medicine unless otherwise advised by your health care provider. This medicine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Use caution while driving or performing other tasks requiring alertness, coordination, or physical dexterity. Diabetes patients -- This medicine may affect your blood sugar level. Your doctor may need to change the dose of diabetes medicine you are taking. Do not take this medicine if you are currently taking or have taken an MAO inhibitor within the last 2 weeks. If you are uncertain whether your other medications contain an MAO inhibitor, check with your health care provider. Patients with previous medical conditions should talk with their health care provider before taking this medicine.

Every medicine can cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following occurs: Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); serious heart problems; chest pain, pressure, heaviness, or tightness. Common: Abnormal skin sensations; warm/cold sensations. Other: Nausea; vomiting; migraine; headache; decreased salivation; dizziness;drowsiness/sleepiness; chest, jaw, or neck tightness, pressure, or pain; pain; feeling of a whirling motion; tiredness.

Before using this medicine, tell your health care provider about any of the following: if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding; if you are taking any other prescription medicine, nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement; if you have impaired liver or kidney function; if you have a history of seizures; if you have a history brain lesions; if you have high blood pressure; if you have high cholesterol; if you are overweight; if you have diabetes; if you smoke; if you have a strong family history of heart disease; if you are a female past menopause; if you are a male over the age of 40; if you have any other medical condition.

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any ingredient in this medicine, you have heart, brain, or peripheral blood vessel disease, you have a history of heart disease, or heart attack; you have other types of migraine headaches (hemiplegic, basilar, or cluster headaches); you have chest pain; you have had a stroke or transient ischemic attack; you have ischemic bowel disease; you have uncontrolled high blood pressure; you are currently taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor within the last 14 days; you have used other migraine medications (eg, ergot-containing medications or another 5-HT1 agonist) within the last 24 hours; you have severe liver disease.

Contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately in event of overdose.

If you have any questions about your medicine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

If a dose is missed, take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your health care provider. If more than one dose is missed, contact your health care provider or pharmacist.

Store between 36 and 86 degrees F. Protect from heat and light.