Imitrex and Vomiting: What Users Say

• Qde...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 16, 2022

For Migraine "Imitrex/sumatriptan works for me…. Within two hours, I am back on my feet. I no longer experience the debilitating pain and vomiting. For those people that it doesn’t work for, please don’t say it’s the worst drug and should be taken off the market. If it does not work for you, you should find something else. For me, it does work, and I will continue to take it when needed. Thank you."

• hou...
• September 22, 2014

For Migraine "My husband has always had what's called prostrating attacks, which is a form of a migraine that leaves him in so much pain he can't function at all! The only medication that has ever worked on him is the Imitrex. This stuff is awesome! The only thing that is irritating is every time I get his prescription filled, the pharmacist tries to give him the Sumatriptan (the generic version), which makes him so sick he will throw up nonstop for hours. So I always have to tell them he needs the name brand, and I have gotten into many arguments with pharmacists trying to tell me it's the same thing. IT'S NOT!!!! When my husband takes Imitrex, his migraine is gone within minutes, he takes a Sumatriptan, and I feel like I need to take him to a hospital."

• Bee...
• September 16, 2017

For Migraine "I am perimenopausal, age 53, and for the last several years, suffered from debilitating migraines. I wasted days because I was too sick from these headaches. Forget Excedrin for migraines or any other OTC drugs, no relief whatsoever. This past weekend, I had a migraine that pretty much knocked me out - the pain was horrific, nausea, vomiting, and I cried like a baby. Finally, I went to the emergency room, and they gave me Imitrex. Within 30 minutes, the headache was gone. I was very sleepy, but I don't know if that's a side effect or just from not sleeping the prior 3 days."

• Van...
• September 18, 2015

For Migraine "I have tried this medication in the past, and it did not work for me, but now, after revisiting the drug with years of migraines with no relief, I have found that it works well for me now. I tend to have extreme nausea and vomiting with my severe headaches, so I also use the nasal spray form (depending on how nauseated I am). They both work well if taken early in the migraine. I did, however, have a severe reaction the first 2-3 times taking it (nausea, vomiting, abdominal upset), but I forced myself to take it again. Now my experience is 'head tightening,' which I see can be common with this drug, and after about 15 minutes of this, I feel a 'loosening' and finally relief. I have not experienced any other symptoms with the tablet form."

• Mon...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 30, 2016

For Migraine "I've had migraines since age 12, so 30 years. I received Imitrex at 25 and am forever grateful! I average one migraine every 2-3 months, usually with changes in weather and/or interrupted or reduced sleep. If I recognize the aura phase (usually smells, sometimes halos or light streaks/trails) and take Imitrex within the first couple of hours, it can completely ward off the pain. If I don't catch it in the aura and take it after actual pain hits, it's still helpful, but I will still be subject to 2-3 days of pain and need recurring doses. Plus, I supplement Imitrex with naproxen and caffeine. But it works. I've gone from being bed-bound in a dark, silent room to being able to work-even with fluorescent lights-without vomiting or worse. Life-changing."

• nit...
• June 7, 2009

For Migraine "I have suffered migraines for years. This is the only medication that works for me. If I run out of it, it will be a trip to the ER and 2 hours of vomiting and stacks of paperwork and 20 minutes of ER doctor interrogations for sure. I have Imitrex in my purse 24/7."

• Anonymous
• October 16, 2012

For Migraine "At first, I suffered through them. This included splitting head pain, nausea, and vomiting. I started using Excedrin after a while, which helped if I took it right away. Then that started to not work so well anymore. I had one really bad one that lasted hours. I was still throwing up at 9 pm, and I was now throwing up blood. I went to the ER, and when I finally got in, they put me on an IV to hydrate me. They then added Imitrex to the bag, and I soon started feeling side effects. My head felt like I was going to pass out. My breathing became labored, and it felt like someone was sitting on my chest. They said that meant it was working. After about two minutes, everything was gone. I got pills to take at home, and they worked okay. Not as fast."

• Sca...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 1, 2016

For Cluster Headaches "Well, I was having really bad cluster headaches, I took an Imitrex for the first time. Within 15 minutes, I was projectile vomiting and having bad stomach cramps. The taste stayed in my mouth for hours. My headache has gone down some, but it was still there."

• Per...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 15, 2021

For Migraine "Like several, was confused for a while thinking migraines were sinus or ear infections. First sign is ear pain for me. Have gotten worse as I hit 50 and entered perimenopause. Really struggled with 48-hour-long pain, vomiting till OB prescribed Imitrex. Like others, if I wait too long, its benefit isn’t as great as when I take it at the first sign. I don’t know about the rebound headaches, as my migraines are so bad, my headaches last for days later and I am foggy for a few days. Imitrex maybe makes me a little spacey, but far more functional than with a migraine! And the side effects are shorter than when I have a migraine."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 30, 2012

For Migraine "Imitrex is the best medication for migraines I have taken so far. When I first started using it, I would get the loopy feeling and slight dizziness. Normal, right? But after a month or two and a few more uses of this medication, I started to get a burning sensation in my head, behind my eyes, and it progressively got worse with each time I took it. The side effects have gotten so bad that now I get cold/hot sweats, the burning sensation in my head, and vomiting. I have now switched to a medication that is the prescription strength of Motrin, which works just as well."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2020

For Migraine "Worst cramping, vomiting, and neck pain I've ever had. Made my migraine worse. I could barely function."