Sumatriptan nasal
IMITREX
Pronunciation: soo-ma-TRIP-tan (IM-i-trex)
“Sumo tripped In my tracks”
What it isNasal 5-HT1B/1D agonist (IMITREX 5-20 mg, 1997); abortive treatment of acute migraine.
Why this oneNeedle-free TOSYMRA 10 mg spray and ONZETRA XSAIL 11 mg powder bypass swallowing and gastric delay; faster than oral, slower than subcutaneous.
What limits itCoronary vasospasm precludes use in ischemic or vasospastic disease; overuse can perpetuate headache.
FDA-approved for
- acute migraine (1997)
NO BOXED WARNINGS
Principal riskCoronary vasospasm; contraindicated in ischemic heart disease
Sulfonamide
Sulfonamide-derived drug — label silent
A sulfonamide by structure, without the N4 aromatic amine or N1 heterocycle; the label carries no sulfonamide warning, and Khan lists it among drugs with no or weak evidence of cross-reactivity. Almotriptan, same class, carries a label warning.
Open the sulfonamide hypersensitivity presentation → · sources [n] are on its References slide.
Classes and tags
Clinical profile
Legacy pregnancy categoryC
Defining liabilityAgent-specific vascular, serotonergic or hepatic risks; acute overdose is usually limited outside ergot or cardiovascular agents.
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Memory aids: interaction avatars
Open Sumatriptan nasal in the interactive console ↗
Self-check
- How fast is nasal sumatriptan relative to oral and subcutaneous forms?
Faster than oral, slower than subcutaneous. - What two problems does nasal sumatriptan bypass?
Swallowing and gastric delay.