Side Effects of Sumatriptan (Cont.)

Common Side Effects of Sumatriptan

Sumatriptan has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, with many people having been evaluated. In these studies, side effects that occur in a group of people taking the drug are always documented and compared to the side effects that occur in a similar group of people not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
 
Based on these studies, the most common side effects of sumatriptan include:
 
  • Injection site reactions (including redness, pain, or swelling) -- occurring in up to 59 percent of people who took the injected form of the drug
  • Abnormal sensations, including tingles, warmth or burning, pressure, tightness, or numbness -- up to 42 percent of people
  • Bad or unusual taste in the mouth -- up to 25 percent of people (sumatriptan nasal spray only)
  • Dizziness or a spinning sensation (vertigo) -- up to 12 percent of people
  • Flushing (redness of the skin, especially the face) -- up to 7 percent of people
  • Chest tightness or pressure -- up to 5 percent of people
  • Weakness -- up to 5 percent of people
  • Neck pain -- up to 5 percent of people.
     
Other common side effects, occurring in 1 to 5 percent of people, include:
 
  • Ear, nose, or throat discomfort
  • Drowsiness
  • Muscle pain or cramps
  • Anxiety
  • Abdominal pain (or stomach pain)
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Jaw pain
  • Sweating
  • Decreased salivation
  • Drowsiness.
     

Rare Side Effects of Sumatriptan

Rare sumatriptan side effects occur in less than 1 percent of people taking the drug. Because these side effects are so uncommon, it is difficult to tell whether they are due to the medication or something else.
 
Some of these rare side effects include but are not limited to:
 
  • Sensation of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart (palpitations)
  • Fainting
  • Decreased or increased blood pressure
  • High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
  • Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
  • Constipation
  • Breast tenderness
  • Asthma.
     
(Side Effects of Sumatriptan Continued: Page 3)

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;