Sumatriptan works immediately to relieve symptoms of migraine; we advise taking the tablet as soon as symptoms of migraine first appear. You can take a dose at day or at night. (It does not have caffeine-like or dizziness inducing properties.) Sumatriptan is available as 50 mg and 100 mg tablets (as well as nasal spray and injection).
A normal starting dose is 50 mg dose once daily as required, and increases to 100 mg if tolerated once daily as required.
If taking an Sumatriptan tablet gives temporary relief of symptoms, but migraine symptoms return after two hours or longer, it may be beneficial to take a second tablet. However if Sumatriptan had no benefit initially in relieving symptoms, taking a second tablet is unlikely to be of any further benefit. This does not mean that the medication will never work for you, and there may be symptom relief in future.
It does not prevent migraine days in the future, or make future migraine symptoms less severe. If you find that you are taking this medication for more than 10 days a month you might benefit from preventative treatment. Prolonged use of immediate relief medication used to treat headaches can lead to Medication Overuse Headache.
Please read the prescription instructions provided and follow them closely. Do not take more than two tablets (of 100 mg each) in a 24 hour period.