APO-Sumatriptan 50mg

APO-Sumatriptan general information

What is APO-Sumatriptan used for?

Apo-Sumatriptan tablets 50mg are used to relieve acute migraine attacks with or without aura, which is the perception of visual disturbances and/or smells and are usually the first sign that a migraine headache is on its way.  Apo-Sumatriptan tablets 50mg are specific for treatment of migraine attack to relieve headache and other symptoms, including nausea and sensitivity to light, but they are not used to prevent migraine headaches.  You can use Apo-Sumatriptan 50 at any stage of a migraine attack but it is more effective if taken as soon as possible after the first signs of headache and/or aura.  Apo-Sumatriptan 50 is not effective for treatment of other types of headache.

How does APO-Sumatriptan work?

Apo-Sumatriptan tablets 50mg contain sumatriptan, which is a member of the group of drugs called triptans and is a serotonin agonist that mimics the action of serotonin (also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT).  Serotonin is a brain chemical that is involved in control of mood, pain sensation, sexual behaviour and sleep; as well as constriction (nApoing) of blood vessels.  Migraine is thought to be caused by dilatation or widening of blood vessels in the head due to one of many migraine triggers, which in turn stimulates nearby sensory nerves so that you feel pain.  Sumatriptan in Apo-Sumatriptan 50 stimulates the serotonin receptors in these expanded blood vessels making them contract again (vasoconstriction) and inhibits trigeminal nerve activity, relieving pain.  Both actions are thought to contribute to the anti-migraine action of sumatriptan and relieve headache and other symptoms of a migraine attack.

What does APO-Sumatriptan contain?

Apo-Sumatriptan tablets 50mg contain the active ingredient sumatriptan succinate, which is a serotonin agonist used to relieve symptoms of a migraine attack.  They also contain lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline Cellulose, pregelatinised starch, roscarmellose sodium, magnesium Stearate, purified Water, hypromellose, itanium dioxide, purified talc, macrogol 6000, ferric oxide red, ferric oxide yellow

Treating migraine headache with APO-Sumatriptan

Apo-Sumatriptan tablets 50mg contain sumatriptan, a serotonin agonist that mimics the action of serotonin, and are used to relieve acute migraine attacks with or without aura, which is the perception of visual disturbances and/or smells called and are usually the first sign that a migraine headache is on its way.  Sumatriptan in Apo-Sumatriptan 50 interacts with specific receptors on blood vessels in the head which have become vasodilated (widened), due to one of many possible migraine triggers, causing them to contract again back to normal.  This action along with interaction with the trigeminal nerve to block pain, relieves the headache and other symptoms of migraine, including nausea and sensitivity to light.  

What are the side effects of APO-Sumatriptan?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking APO-Sumatriptan include dizziness, drowsiness, sensory disturbance including, tingling, pricking, or numbness of the skin (paraesthesia), loss of sensitivity to pain or touch (hypoaesthesia), shortness of breath, sensations of heaviness, pain, sensations of heat or cold, pressure or tightness, weakness, fatigue.

When should APO-Sumatriptan not be used?

You should not use APO-Sumatriptan if you:

• are allergic to sumatriptan or any tryptan or any ingredients in APO-Sumatriptan
• have had myocardial infarction or have ischaemic heart disease, coronary vasospasm (Prinzmetal's angina), peripheral vascular disease, or a history of cerebovascular accident (CVA) or transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• have liver disease or hypertension
• are using medicines that interact with Apo-Sumatriptan, including: ergotamine or derivatives of ergotamine (including methysergide), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)

What medications interact with APO-Sumatriptan?

Several medications interact with APO-Sumatriptan and should either not be taken while you are taking APO-Sumatriptan or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Ergot derivatives including methysergide (also for migraine headaches) should not be taken 24 hours before to 6 hours after dose of Apo-Sumatriptan
• MAOI antidepressants should not be taken within 14 days of Apo-Sumatriptan
• Other serotonin agonist antidepressants like SSRIs; SNRIs.

How should APO-Sumatriptan be taken?

You can take your Apo-Sumatriptan tablets 50mg at any stage of a migraine attack but it is more effective if taken as soon as possible after the first signs of headache and/or aura.  You should take one or two Apo-Sumatriptan tablets 50mg as recommended by your doctor, swallowed whole with a glass of water, with or without food.  You should not take another dose of Apo-Sumatriptan 50 for the same migraine, but you can take another dose if you have another migraine attack in the next 24 hours, provided you do not take more than 300mg in a 24 hour period.

How should APO-Sumatriptan be stored?

You should store your APO-Sumatriptan tablets 50mg below 30°C in a cool dry place.