Sumatriptan Dosing

An Overview of Sumatriptan Dosing

The dose of sumatriptan succinate (Imitrex^®) your healthcare provider prescribes will vary depending on a number of factors, including:

As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.

Sumatriptan is meant to be taken only during a migraine. The usual dosages of sumatriptan for migraine headaches are:

Sumatriptan tablets -- 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg by mouth.
Sumatriptan nasal spray -- 5 mg, 10 mg, or 20 mg sprayed into one nostril. Since sumatriptan nasal spray does not come in a 10 mg strength, use two of the 5 mg sprays (one in each nostril) to get a 10 mg dose.
Sumatriptan injection -- 4 mg or 6 mg injected subcutaneously (just below the skin).

Some considerations for people taking sumatriptan include:

Sumatriptan is not meant to be taken on a daily basis. Take sumatriptan only when you have a migraine.
If your healthcare provider instructs you to do so, you may take a second dose of sumatriptan if your migraine does not go away after the first dose. You must wait at least two hours after the first dose before taking a second dose of sumatriptan tablets or sumatriptan nasal spray. For the sumatriptan injection, a second dose can be given as soon as one hour after the first dose.
Do not take more than 200 mg of sumatriptan tablets, 40 mg of sumatriptan nasal spray, or 12 mg of sumatriptan injection in one day.
Your sumatriptan dosage can be taken with or without food.
Sumatriptan nasal spray and sumatriptan injection both come with pamphlets with detailed instructions for use. Make sure your healthcare provider demonstrates exactly how to use these forms of the medicine.
For sumatriptan to work properly, you have to take it as prescribed. Sumatriptan will not work if you take it in a way other than how your healthcare provider prescribed it.
If you are unsure about anything related to sumatriptan or your sumatriptan dosage, please talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.