From the Guidelines
The recommended dose of sumatriptan for migraine treatment is 25-100 mg taken orally every two hours, with a maximum dosage of 200 mg per day. According to the study published in the American Family Physician 1, sumatriptan is available in various forms, including oral, subcutaneous, and intranasal, and the dosage may vary depending on the form and severity of the migraine.
Key Considerations
- The subcutaneous form of sumatriptan can be administered in a dose of 6 mg, repeated in one hour, with a maximum dosage of 12 mg per 24 hours.
- The intranasal form can be administered in a dose of 5-10 mg (one to two sprays) in one nostril, with a maximum dosage of 40 mg per day.
- It is essential to note that sumatriptan should not be used in patients with certain contraindications, such as ergotamine, MAOIs, use within 24 hours of another triptan, hemiplegic or basilar migraine, pregnancy, impaired hepatic function, or CAD.
Administration Guidelines
- For oral administration, the typical dose is 25-100 mg every two hours, with a maximum dosage of 200 mg per day.
- For subcutaneous administration, the typical dose is 6 mg, repeated in one hour, with a maximum dosage of 12 mg per 24 hours.
- For intranasal administration, the typical dose is 5-10 mg (one to two sprays) in one nostril, with a maximum dosage of 40 mg per day. It is crucial to follow the recommended dosage and administration guidelines to ensure the safe and effective use of sumatriptan for migraine treatment, as supported by the study 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION 2. 1 Dosing Information The recommended dose of sumatriptan tablets is 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg. The dosing for Sumatriptan in migraine treatment is:
- 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg as a single dose
- A second dose may be administered at least 2 hours after the first dose if the migraine has not resolved
- The maximum daily dose is 200 mg in a 24-hour period
- In patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment, the maximum single dose should not exceed 50 mg 2
From the Research
Dosing for Sumatriptan in Migraine Treatment
- The recommended dosing for sumatriptan in migraine treatment has been studied in several trials, with doses ranging from 25 mg to 100 mg 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- A study published in 2003 found that sumatriptan in doses of 100 mg, 50 mg, and 25 mg provided significantly better pain-free response, headache relief, and relief of disability at 2 hours compared to placebo 3.
- Another study published in 1999 found that patients preferred the 100 mg dose of oral sumatriptan, followed by the 50 mg dose, and then the 25 mg dose, with the higher doses being more effective against migraine 4.
- A 1995 study found that all doses of sumatriptan (25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg) were effective and generally well tolerated, with dosing recommended to be individualized according to the needs of the patient 5.
- A multicenter study published in 1995 also found that oral sumatriptan was effective and well tolerated for the acute treatment of migraine, with no significant difference in adverse events among the different doses 6.
- A study published in 1998 found that a 50 mg oral dose of sumatriptan was sufficient in many patients, with headache relief achieved in 58% of treated patients after a single dose, and a total of 72% of patients achieving headache relief after two doses 7.
Efficacy and Tolerability
- The efficacy of sumatriptan has been consistently demonstrated across various studies, with the 100 mg dose being the most effective, followed by the 50 mg and 25 mg doses 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- The tolerability of sumatriptan has also been consistently demonstrated, with adverse events being minor and transient, and not differing significantly among the different doses 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.