From the Research
Sumatriptan 6mg subcutaneous injections should not be administered more than twice in a 24-hour period, with doses separated by at least one hour. The maximum daily dose is 12mg (two 6mg injections) 1. If the first dose does not provide relief, a second dose may be given, but taking more than two doses within 24 hours significantly increases the risk of adverse effects without providing additional therapeutic benefit. This limitation exists because sumatriptan works by constricting blood vessels in the brain, and excessive use can lead to medication overuse headaches, cardiovascular complications, and serotonin syndrome 2. Additionally, patients should not use sumatriptan more than 10 days per month to avoid medication overuse headaches. Some key points to consider when administering sumatriptan include:
- The drug is generally well tolerated, but common adverse events include nausea, vomiting, malaise, and fatigue 3
- Injection site reactions occur in approximately 40% of patients receiving subcutaneous sumatriptan 3
- Sumatriptan is contraindicated in patients with ischemic heart disease, angina pectoris, previous myocardial infarction, and uncontrolled hypertension 3 If migraine symptoms persist after two doses, patients should contact their healthcare provider as alternative treatments may be needed. Patients with cardiovascular risk factors should use sumatriptan with caution due to its vasoconstrictive properties 4. It is essential to weigh the benefits and risks of sumatriptan use, considering the potential for adverse effects and the need for alternative treatments in cases of persistent migraine symptoms 5.