Sumatriptan and Brain Fog: What Users Say

• Eri...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 17, 2019

For Migraine "I have been suffering from migraines for about 20 years. At first, OTC painkillers like Excedrin Migraine would do the trick, but about 10 years ago, nothing seemed to reduce the pain in the least bit. I get about 3 migraines per month that last about 3 days. My doctor prescribed Propranolol, which I take twice a day, and it has reduced the frequency of my attacks. I take a 50 mg sumatriptan at the first signs of a migraine, and within an hour, it completely goes away. Thankfully, I don’t suffer any bad side effects. I’ll feel a little foggy for a few hours, but that’s about it. I literally cannot live without it! It has saved my life!"

• Con...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 30, 2018

Sumatriptan for Migraine "I have had menstrual headaches, so predictable for 10 years. Once a month, 36 hours or so, can't even lay on my head, migraines. Just suffered through. Tried Imitrex last December and feel like I've been freed from bondage. I don't get a high or sleepy sensation, just relief, especially when taken with 2 Advil. I do not have ever used prescription pain meds. Seldom use even any NSAIDs. I was not interested in pain meds, so this was a great option and a miracle. I can even take 2 without side effects. Sorry to those who have poor outcomes. FYI, I was discussing it today with a colleague, and she said she felt high and loopy. I was stunned. Now, in reading this, I see some people do react that way. So I guess I would say, take half, at home with someone around. Then make a choice from that result. Good luck!"

• Chu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2023

For Migraine "Had an injection in the back of the upper arm at urgent care. The moment it went in, I broke out in sweats, my mind was foggy, my body felt like lead, my chest was tight, my jaw was tight, and I felt like I couldn't breathe. Fifteen minutes later, blood pressure went up significantly, and twenty minutes later, my body ached-horrible, painful body aches, every joint in my body was on fire. Two and a half hours later, in the doctor's office, the side effects slowly subsided and left me aching everywhere. But guess what went away? The migraine I had, the reason I came in for. Got rid of the migraine and left with severe body aches, wheezing, and what felt to be a near-death experience."

• Ele...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 1, 2018

Sumatriptan for Migraine "This drug will get rid of my migraine about 70% of the time, but I only use it when nothing else works because the side effects are almost as bad as the migraine itself. It makes my skin feel prickly and tight, and my throat feels tight and like I can't swallow. It gives me such intense nausea that I often don't speak when I take it because I feel like if I open my mouth, I'll throw up. From trial and error, the nausea seems to abate if I take it with food, but if I forget to take it with food I have to force myself to eat through the nausea. My brain also feels really foggy, and basic actions are difficult when I take it. I'm glad there are people who don't react like this, but I am definitely asking to be switched to a different medication."

• Mig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2018

Sumatriptan for Migraine "I took this today when I felt a migraine coming on the left side (eye pain, watery eyes, runny nose, nausea), and within 20 mins the migraine was completely gone. I burped a bit and felt kinda loopy for like 5-10 min then. Bam, gone as if it never happened. Can’t believe I went so long without Imitrex. Missed so much work and fun times due to migraines before."

• pip...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2019

For Migraine "Sumatriptan works amazing to take away my migraine as soon as I feel the telltale pain above my eyebrow. However, I experience severe side effects such as jaw pain that prevents me from opening my mouth very far and chewing/swallowing. I also get tired and spaced out after taking this. The drug takes maybe 30 minutes to kick in and removes the migraine pain entirely, which is why I still rated it as effective. Works first time and every time, I never have to take a second dose."

• Shh...
• January 5, 2018

Sumatriptan for Migraine "I have had chronic migraines for 11 years now. I switched neurologists, and she suggested this medication. I love this stuff! This is seriously the ONLY thing that has ever worked for me. If I take it at the first sign of my migraine, it will be completely gone within 15 minutes! There has been only once that my migraine did not go away, so I had to take another one. It definitely burns when it goes in, but that subsides in a few seconds for me. The medication does drip down the back of my throat for a while, but I don't mind that because my head isn't pounding. I do feel a bit fuzzy for about 15 minutes, but it does go away. I would give this medication a try if you have tried many different things and nothing has worked like me."

• Car...
• March 10, 2017

For Migraine "I've been getting migraines for years, and every doctor kind of wrote it off as hormones or stress and just told me to relax and take Advil. They would last a couple of days. I couldn't get out of bed the whole time. Just constant pounding in my neck, eye, teeth, and forehead. Last month, I finally talked a neurologist into seeing me without a referral, and he couldn't believe my other doctors let it go on so long and did not send me to him. He gave me the generic Imitrex and said to take it with the anti-nausea med promethazine. I had to use it for the first time yesterday. It was amazing. In 30 minutes, I could tell it was going away. I felt a little foggy for an hour or so, and my reaction time was decreased for a few hours, but I'll take it!"

• Cwa...
• March 29, 2018

For Migraine "I was prescribed this medication for migraine. I took it at work during my lunch for the first time... big mistake. My head felt like a swollen balloon, I was disoriented, loopy, delusional, heavy, weird as ever, and very tired. I wanted to lay down on my desk and cry or go home, but I could not. My dosage was 100 mg. The next time I took it, I cut it in half, and it was not as bad of a feeling as before. I recommend trying it at home first to see how your body reacts first... not at work, lol."

• Bke...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2018

For Migraine "I just took 100 mg two hours ago. The first ten minutes were fine. The next 30 minutes, I felt dazed and heavy. The next 30 minutes, I felt fine, migraine gone. But after those 30 minutes... you know the feeling you get when you laugh or smile too long and your cheeks hurt... well, that is everywhere. Just pure exhaustion with occasional pain. Stiff neck on the side I usually get migraine pain. Possible fever, lots of nausea right now. Random, but I sneezed and it killed in my neck. Glands are swollen. Throat isn’t tight, though."

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

Sumatriptan 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."

• It...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 11, 2018

For Migraine "Just started having migraines at 45 (gee, wonder why... lol). Tried all the OTC and homeopathic treatments I could find. Gave up and started with Relpax. My insurance wouldn’t help, so it was $115 for 6. Then my doctor had me try 50 mg sumatriptan (generic Imitrex) and very inexpensive. Always works within an hour, and normally my migraines last 36 hours on any OTC med. I can’t take more than 2 doses in a 5-day stretch, or I’m up for days with leg cramps, though. In desperation, I’ve started Topamax 50 mg as preventative, but it’s about 20% effective and not worth the side effects for me (lack of focus; numbness; tired)."

• Aim...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 18, 2012

For Migraine "I started off using the pills, but if my migraine had already made me vomit, the pills would not work. I have now switched to the injection and highly recommend it! I can feel the relief in minutes. I feel a little fuzzy and need to lay down right after the injection. The sleep is much needed, and I wake up pain-free and with no side effects. The injection does hurt a little, but nothing compared to the pain of a migraine."

• eli...
• June 1, 2008

"The tablets eased the migraine in about 20 mins. I feel a bit spaced out, but compared to the migraine, it's nothing."