Imigran
What is Imigran and how does it work?
Imigran tablets are a migraine treatment containing the active ingredient sumatriptan. This medicine is specifically designed to reverse the cause of a migraine headache rather than just treating migraine symptoms like painkillers or nausea medicines.
Imigran is made to be taken as soon as you start to feel a migraine coming on, sometimes alleviating migraine symptoms before they become severe. Typically Imigran is only prescribed by doctors if painkillers alone are not effective enough or if your migraines are particularly severe.
Migraines must be diagnosed by a medical professional before using Imigran as it will not benefit non-migraine headaches.
A widening of the blood vessels in the brain is strongly suspected to be the cause of migraines. Triptans like Imigran (sumatriptan) stimulate the muscles on the widened blood vessels causing them to contract and return to their normal size, relieving or reducing the severity of the migraine.
Migraines
A migraine is characterised by moderate to severe throbbing headache on one side of the head, it sometimes follows visual symptoms known as aura, the cause of migraines is a temporary widening of blood vessels in the brain. Other symptoms of a migraine attack are nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and sound. Symptoms of an aura are generally seeing bright lights, flashing lights, zigzag patterns which usually dwindle prior to a headache settling in.
If you have migraines on 5 or more days a month or migraines are affecting your quality of life but have not previously been diagnosed by a medical professional talk to your GP about them.
Migraines are usually triggered by certain events. Each person should note their triggers and do their best to avoid them.
Imigran and Sumatriptan tablets
Imigran is the brand name version of sumatriptan. There is no difference in the strength and effectiveness of the tablets, only the price and the manufacturer. GSK was the first company to create sumatriptan tablets as Imigran worldwide.
The sumatriptan patent expired allowing more companies to make the medicine. Sumatriptan is available at a significantly reduced cost as other companies have made their version of the medicine and had them tested to prove they are as effective as the original.
How to take Imigran
Swallow whole ONE tablet with water at the first sign of a migraine attack. If your symptoms begin to resolve but return after 2 hours, you may take another dose. Do not take a second tablet for the same attack if the first has no effect. A maximum of 300mg of Imigran may be used within 24 hours.
Patient Information Leaflet
Click below to read the Patient information leaflet for Imigran:
