Imitrex

Imitrex is used for:

The treatment of migraine headaches with or without aura (eg, flashing lights, wavy lines, dark spots). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Imitrex is a serotonin 5-HT ₁ receptor agonist ("triptan"). It works by narrowing blood vessels in the brain, which helps to relieve migraines.

Do NOT use Imitrex if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Imitrex
• you have a history of ischemic heart disease (eg, angina, heart attack), coronary artery disease (CAD), other moderate to severe heart problems, brain blood vessel disease (eg, stroke, transient ischemic attack), or other blood vessel disease (eg, Raynaud syndrome, ischemic bowel disease)
• you have uncontrolled high blood pressure or severe liver problems
• you have certain types of migraines (eg, hemiplegic, basilar)
• you are taking or have taken a monamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the past 14 days
• you have used certain other migraine medicines within the past 24 hours (eg, an ergot derivative [eg, dihydroergotamine, methysergide], another serotonin 5-HT ₁ receptor agonist [eg, eletriptan, rizatriptan])
• you are taking sibutramine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Imitrex:

Some medical conditions may interact with Imitrex. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have history of liver or kidney problems, seizures (eg epilepsy), heart problems, or other types of headaches (eg, cluster headaches)
• if you have shortness of breath, chest pain, or a history of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, high cholesterol, diabetes, or smoking
• if you are a woman who is past menopause
• if you are a man who is more than 40 years old
• if you are very overweight
• if a family member has had heart disease

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Imitrex. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (eg, duloxetine), orsibutramine because the risk of a serious side effect called serotonin syndrome may be increased. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome may include mental or mood changes, hallucinations, fast heartbeat, fever, loss of coordination, muscle spasms, increased sweating, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• MAOIs (eg, phenelzine) because they may increase the risk of Imitrex's side effects
• Ergot derivatives (eg, dihydroergotamine, methysergide) or other serotonin 5-HT ₁ receptor agonists (eg, eletriptan, rizatriptan) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Imitrex

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Imitrex may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.