Headache Treatments

IMITREX tablets are indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults.

IMITREX Tablets are contraindicated in patients with:

The following adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of the prescribing information:

Patients in clinical trials (N = 670) received single oral doses of 140 to 300 mg without significant adverse reactions. Volunteers (N = 174) received single oral doses of 140 to 400 mg without serious adverse reactions.

Overdose in animals has been fatal and has been heralded by convulsions, tremor, paralysis, inactivity, ptosis, erythema of the extremities, abnormal respiration, cyanosis, ataxia, mydriasis, salivation, and lacrimation.

The elimination half-life of sumatriptan is approximately 2.5 hours

It is unknown what effect hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis has on the serum concentrations of sumatriptan.

IMITREX tablets contain sumatriptan succinate, a selective 5‑HT

The empirical formula is C

Each IMITREX tablet for oral administration contains 35, 70, or 140 mg of sumatriptan succinate equivalent to 25, 50, or 100 mg of sumatriptan, respectively. Each tablet also contains the inactive ingredients croscarmellose sodium, dibasic calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, and sodium bicarbonate. Each 100-mg tablet also contains hypromellose, iron oxide, titanium dioxide, and triacetin.

The efficacy of IMITREX tablets in the acute treatment of migraine headaches was demonstrated in 3 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. Patients enrolled in these 3 trials were predominately female (87%) and Caucasian (97%), with a mean age of 40 years (range:  18 to 65 years). Patients were instructed to treat a moderate to severe headache. Headache response, defined as a reduction in headache severity from moderate or severe pain to mild or no pain, was assessed up to 4 hours after dosing. Associated symptoms such as nausea, photophobia, and phonophobia were also assessed. Maintenance of response was assessed for up to 24 hours postdose. A second dose of IMITREX tablets or other medication was allowed 4 to 24 hours after the initial treatment for recurrent headache. Acetaminophen was offered to patients in Trials 2 and 3 beginning at 2 hours after initial treatment if the migraine pain had not improved or had worsened. Additional medications were allowed 4 to 24 hours after the initial treatment for recurrent headache or as rescue in all 3 trials. The frequency and time to use of these additional treatments were also determined. In all trials, doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg were compared with placebo in the treatment of migraine attacks. In 1 trial, doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg were also compared with each other.

In all 3 trials, the percentage of patients achieving headache response 2 and 4 hours after treatment was significantly greater among patients receiving IMITREX tablets at all doses compared with those who received placebo. In 1 of the 3 trials, there was a statistically significant greater percentage of patients with headache response at 2 and 4 hours in the 50-mg or 100-mg group when compared with the 25-mg dose groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the 50-mg and 100-mg dose groups in any trial. The results from the 3 controlled clinical trials are summarized in Table 2.

The estimated probability of achieving an initial headache response over the 4 hours following treatment in pooled Trials 1, 2, and 3 is depicted in Figure 1.

For patients with migraine-associated nausea, photophobia, and/or phonophobia at baseline, there was a lower incidence of these symptoms at 2 hours (Trial 1) and at 4 hours (Trials 1, 2, and 3) following administration of IMITREX tablets compared with placebo.

As early as 2 hours in Trials 2 and 3, or as early as 4 hours in Trial 1, through 24 hours following the initial dose of study treatment, patients were allowed to use additional treatment for pain relief in the form of a second dose of study treatment or other medication. The estimated probability of patients taking a second dose or other medication for migraine over the 24 hours following the initial dose of study treatment is summarized in Figure 2.

There is evidence that doses above 50 mg do not provide a greater effect than 50 mg. There was no evidence to suggest that treatment with IMITREX tablets was associated with an increase in the severity of recurrent headaches. The efficacy of IMITREX tablets was unaffected by presence of aura; duration of headache prior to treatment; gender, age, or weight of the subject; relationship to menses; or concomitant use of common migraine prophylactic drugs (e.g., beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants). There were insufficient data to assess the impact of race on efficacy.

IMITREX tablets, 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg of sumatriptan (base) as the succinate.

IMITREX tablets, 25 mg, are white, triangular‑shaped, film‑coated tablets debossed with “I” on one side and “25” on the other in blister packs of 9 tablets (NDC 0173-0735-00).

IMITREX tablets, 50 mg, are white, triangular‑shaped, film‑coated tablets debossed with “IMITREX 50” on one side and a chevron shape (^) on the other in blister packs of 9 tablets (NDC 0173-0736-01).

IMITREX tablets, 100 mg, are pink, triangular‑shaped, film‑coated tablets debossed with “IMITREX 100” on one side and a chevron shape (^) on the other in blister packs of 9 tablets (NDC 0173-0737-01).

Store between 2°C and 30°C (36°F and 86°F).

Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved patient labeling (Patient Information).

Inform patients that IMITREX tablets may cause serious cardiovascular side effects such as myocardial infarction or stroke. Although serious cardiovascular events can occur without warning symptoms, patients should be alert for the signs and symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, significant rise in blood pressure, weakness, and slurring of speech, and should ask for medical advice if any indicative sign or symptoms are observed. Apprise patients of the importance of this follow-up

Inform patients that anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions have occurred in patients receiving IMITREX tablets. Such reactions can be life-threatening or fatal. In general, anaphylactic reactions to drugs are more likely to occur in individuals with a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens

Inform patients that use of IMITREX tablets within 24 hours of another triptan or an ergot-type medication (including dihydroergotamine or methysergide) is contraindicated

Caution patients about the risk of serotonin syndrome with the use of IMITREX tablets or other triptans, particularly during combined use with SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, and MAO inhibitors

Inform patients that use of acute migraine drugs for 10 or more days per month may lead to an exacerbation of headache and encourage patients to record headache frequency and drug use (e.g., by keeping a headache diary)

Advise patients to notify their healthcare provider if they become pregnant during treatment or plan to become pregnant

Advise breastfeeding women that they may develop transient breast pain when taking IMITREX. Advise breastfeeding women that avoiding breastfeeding for 12 hours after treatment with IMITREX can minimize their infant’s exposure to sumatriptan

Treatment with IMITREX tablets may cause somnolence and dizziness; instruct patients to evaluate their ability to perform complex tasks after administration of IMITREX tablets.

IMITREX is a trademark owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies. The other brand listed is a trademark owned by or licensed to its owner and is not owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies. The maker of this brand is not affiliated with and does not endorse the GSK group of companies or its products.

Distributed by:

GlaxoSmithKline

Durham, NC 27701

©2025 GSK group of companies or its licensor.

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