From the Guidelines
Sumatriptan can cause several side effects, including nausea, warmth, vomiting, vertigo, malaise, headache, injection site reactions, and chest pressure and heaviness, as reported in the study published in the American Family Physician in 2002 1. When considering the use of sumatriptan, it is essential to weigh the potential benefits against the possible side effects. The medication is effective in treating migraines, but it can also cause adverse reactions, particularly in patients with certain medical conditions.
- Common side effects of sumatriptan include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Vertigo
- Malaise
- Headache
- Injection site reactions
- Chest pressure and heaviness According to a more recent study published in JAMA Neurology in 2020 1, sumatriptan is still considered a viable option for treating migraines in children and adolescents, but it is crucial to advise patients and families on lifestyle factors, migraine triggers, and avoidance of acute medication overuse. The medication should be taken at the first sign of migraine, and patients with heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or a history of stroke should avoid sumatriptan, as stated in the American Family Physician study 1. It is also important to note that if one triptan is ineffective, trying another or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-triptan combination may be beneficial, as suggested in the JAMA Neurology study 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Sumatriptan tablets may cause serious side effects. These serious side effects include: changes in color or sensation in your fingers and toes (Raynaud’s syndrome) stomach and intestinal problems (gastrointestinal and colonic ischemic events) problems with blood circulation to your legs and feet (peripheral vascular ischemia) hives (itchy bumps); swelling of your tongue, mouth, or throat medication overuse headaches serotonin syndrome seizures The most common side effects of sumatriptan tablets include: tingling or numbness in your fingers or toes warm or cold feeling feeling weak, drowsy, or tired pain, discomfort, or stiffness in your neck, throat, jaw, or chest dizziness
Sumatriptan side effects include serious and common adverse reactions. Serious side effects are:
- Changes in color or sensation in fingers and toes
- Stomach and intestinal problems
- Problems with blood circulation to legs and feet
- Hives or swelling
- Medication overuse headaches
- Serotonin syndrome
- Seizures Common side effects are:
- Tingling or numbness in fingers or toes
- Warm or cold feeling
- Feeling weak, drowsy, or tired
- Pain or stiffness in neck, throat, jaw, or chest
- Dizziness 2
From the Research
Sumatriptan Side Effects
- The most common adverse events associated with sumatriptan include nausea, vomiting, malaise, and fatigue 3, 4
- Injection site reactions occur in 10 to 40% of patients receiving subcutaneous sumatriptan 3
- A bitter taste at the back of the mouth is a frequent side effect after intranasal administration of sumatriptan 3
- Serious adverse events occur in about 0.14% of patients with migraine treated with sumatriptan 3
- Sumatriptan is contraindicated in patients with a history of cardiovascular disease due to its potential to cause vasoconstriction 3, 5, 6
Cardiovascular Side Effects
- Sumatriptan may cause vasoconstriction of human arteries and veins from the thoracic wall, which could be related to chest symptoms experienced by some patients 6
- The vasoconstrictive effect of sumatriptan is likely mediated by activation of 5-HT1B receptors 6
- Patients with symptomatic ischemic heart disease should be treated with sumatriptan under medical supervision for their first two or three attacks 4