Sumatriptan, sold under the brand name Imitrex among others, is a medication used to treat migraine headaches and cluster headaches. It is taken orally, intranasally, or by subcutaneous injection. Therapeutic effects generally occur within three hours. Sumatriptan is a serotonin (5-HT1B/1D) receptor agonist (triptan).
Read the full article on WikipediaMigraine attack Clinical criteria: The condition must have usually failed to respond to analgesics in the past.
“Sumatriptan is structurally similar to the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) and acts as an agonist of the serotonin 5-HT1B, 5-HT1D, and 5-HT1F receptors. Sumatriptan's primary therapeutic effect is related in its inhibition of the release of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), likely through its 5-HT1D/1B receptor agonist action. This has been substantiated by the efficacy of more recently developed CGRP targeting drugs and antibodies developed for the preventive treatment of migraine. How agonism of the 5-HT1D/1B receptors inhibits CGRP release is not fully understood. CGRP is believed to cause sensitization of trigeminal nociceptive neurons, contributing to the pain experienced in migraine.”
“2.5 hours”