Sumatriptan is made by GlaxoSmithKline.
Sumatriptan is part of a class of
migraine medications called 5-HT agonists (more commonly known as "
triptans"). During a migraine
headache, some of the blood vessels in the head can become dilated (wider than they usually are). Sumatriptan works by narrowing these blood vessels, helping them return to their normal state. This action helps to relieve
migraine symptoms.
In one study, 52 to 62 percent of people with migraines had no or mild pain within two hours of taking sumatriptan tablets, compared to only 27 percent who did not take the medication. Within four hours, as many as 79 percent of people who had taken sumatriptan had
migraine relief, compared to just 38 percent of people not taking it. Similar results were seen in studies of the nasal spray and injectable forms.