Sumatriptan and Fatigue: What Users Say

• Mig...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 3, 2019

For Migraine "I am medication sensitive and was scared to take sumatriptan based on reviews. It was totally fine. Minimal side effects, just fatigue—but who wants to stay awake during a migraine. I get a great sleep. Sometimes I have a bit of a migraine/medication hangover and am groggy. It’s still much better than curling up in a dark room in bed, crying with an ice pack on your head, wondering if you’re having a stroke or if it’s just a migraine. Take it early when you first notice symptoms! Sometimes I take it with Tylenol. So glad I found this!"

• Anonymous
• January 8, 2012

Sumatriptan for Migraine "At first, I thought it was great-no headache. Then, the more frequently I used the medication to treat my migraines, the more debilitating side effects I began to experience. I could first mitigate the burning pain and weakness in my head, neck, and jaw and the general feeling of malaise and fatigue by the administration of Naproxen or Ibuprofen prior to the Imitrex, but then, even that ceased to be effective. I finally quit after experiencing total body weakness, a more severe burning pain in my upper extremities than ever before (accompanied by fluctuating hot and cold sensations everywhere else), irregular heartbeat, and irregular breathing after administration. If you experience adverse side effects, it gets worse! Please, find something else."

• Anonymous
• January 8, 2012

Sumatriptan for Migraine "At first, I thought it was great-no headache. Then, the more frequently I used the medication to treat my migraines, the more debilitating side effects I began to experience. I could first mitigate the burning pain and weakness in my head, neck, and jaw and the general feeling of malaise and fatigue by the administration of Naproxen or Ibuprofen prior to the Imitrex, but then, even that ceased to be effective. I finally quit after experiencing total body weakness, a more severe burning pain in my upper extremities than ever before (accompanied by fluctuating hot and cold sensations everywhere else), irregular heartbeat, and irregular breathing after administration. If you experience adverse side effects, it gets worse! Please, find something else."

• Rjo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 6, 2017

Sumatriptan for Migraine "When I moved to Indiana, I started getting migraines. My doctor prescribed Imitrex 25 mg, which worked beautifully as long as I took it when the migraine started. Though it still doesn't always work, I take another dose 2 hours after the 1st dose. I developed a tolerance to it and now need to take 50 mg. Fortunately, my migraines have slowed down to a dull roar as I've figured out my triggers. Imitrex has some annoying but mostly tolerable side effects that dissipate with use, such as feeling physically fatigued, feeling kind of drugged, trouble thinking clearly, increased blood pressure/heart rate, sometimes I feel shaky."

• Aqu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2017

For Cluster Headaches "I've had cluster headaches for about 14 years now and haven't found any helpful meds until now. Sumatriptan has been extremely helpful for me this cluster period. I use the tablets, so it takes about 30 minutes to feel the effects. I take it as soon as I start to feel tension in the head and neck, with the slight onset of a headache. By the time it starts to work, the attack is almost in full force, but once it kicks in, the pain immediately subsides and begins to quickly go away. It saves me at least a good hour of the intense, tortuous pain - which also saves me a lot of the side effects of the attacks, such as nausea and fatigue. I've found little to no side effects along with the drug, so I'm almost immediately able to function afterwards."

• Anonymous
• January 25, 2010

Sumatriptan for Cluster Headaches "I consider Imitrex to be the greatest medicine in the world, at least as far as my health is concerned. I am never without the auto injector. When a chronic headache comes on, I inject myself, and 3 to 4 minutes later ... no pain. My muscles are fatigued, and I'm somewhat tired for about 30 minutes, but NO PAIN! ... Yes!"

• Anonymous
• August 4, 2010

Sumatriptan for Migraine "It keeps my migraines from blowing out into severe migraines, but it takes close to an hour to kick in, and when it does, I feel extremely sick, very fatigued for two hours after. Then I have just a mild headache, but I feel like I have a hangover and become forgetful and weak. It is definitely a trade-off, but as severe as my migraine can get, I'll take this until I find another type of medication."

• Mar...
• August 12, 2016

For Migraine "I have suffered from migraines since I was twelve, but a year ago (I am 24 now), they started to get more frequent and crippling. During one particularly excruciating attack, I called my GP crying. She prescribed me sumatriptan (tablet form), and it has been great. It takes away all of the pain within an hour, even if I take it while the migraine is already past the initial stages. I do get side effects - slight loss of sensation in my extremities, fatigue, and a feeling as if there is a weight on my chest. The first time this worried me, but now I'm used to it. It's a bit uncomfortable, but so much better than going through a full-blown migraine attack."

• Min...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 14, 2015

Sumatriptan for Migraine "Imitrex shot is a very effective drug for me. Have had migraines for decades and was introduced to Imitrex after 2 years of having blinding aura, then 2 days of suffering in a dark room. Imitrex shot works within minutes. No painkiller needed. Once I give myself the shot, I lay down for about an hour. Only issues are brief fatigue, nausea for a few minutes, and a strange prickly sensation in the top of my head, which goes away quickly."

• LML...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 22, 2022

For Migraine "I suffer from debilitating occipital migraines since I was 19. I am now 52. I get them approximately 4 times a month. The only medication that has been my holy grail is Imitrex, aka sumatriptan 100 mg. It works within 2 hours, and the only side effect for me is occasional malaise/lethargy for 24 hours... but I can get back to life instead of suffering through the indescribable pain you all know if you are reading this. I HIGHLY recommend it. Affordable and non-habit forming."

• Hea...
• October 13, 2016

For Migraine "Been experiencing migraines/headaches since I could remember. I'm unable to take NSAIDs, so meds such as Cambia are not an option for me (which helped but not as well). Daily medications such as Topamax were not effective enough to warrant the extreme fatigue. Finally, after requesting an 'as needed' dosing med, a doctor prescribed this one. Took dose shortly after symptoms began (oral tab). Took roughly an hour to take effect, but it really helped! I had the option for a second dose, but felt enough relief to get through the evening. Had some side effects, but they were tolerable and did not worry me since I read what to expect ahead of time. Side effects were short-lived compared to the constant fatigue of alternatives and were worth the relief I received."

• Man...
• March 21, 2017

Sumatriptan for Migraine "Just took it for the first time today, used to use Maxalt. This drug completely knocked me out - so sleepy and tired, not to mention feeling very weird. It's been 7 hours and I feel not great. Headache gone, but left with fatigue and dizziness. Back to Maxalt."

• Zha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 2, 2019

For Migraine "I've had headaches, seemingly every day since puberty. I just turned 45. Normally, the headaches are very low-grade and tolerable. Last year, they became debilitating. I described my headaches and was asked if I was ever told I have migraines. Nope, lol *sigh* The doctor first tried a blocker (two shots to the back of my head). I slept for 16 hours a day for a month, and it didn't do a thing for my headaches. Then I was placed on Sumatriptan Succinate 50 mg when required. I was surprised when I found myself with an abundance of energy (which has since dropped a lot, but it doesn't knock me out as others have complained). My problem now is with insurance. They only approved 18 pills for a month. I told my doctor, so he increased the mg to 100 and told me to break it in half. When I picked them up, I was only approved for 9. What the heck?"

• Sun...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 20, 2018

For Migraine "I have been on this medication for over 5 years. I rated it 9 stars because it did work well to stop my migraine in its tracks (within an hour). I would only take half at a time due to side effects of fatigue and dizziness. HOWEVER, my body became dependent upon it. A few years into starting sumatriptan, I began experiencing almost daily rebound headaches/migraines. For several years, I struggled with changing diet, eliminating caffeine, foods, other triggers, and taking all the preventative meds on the market, to no avail. Recently, I saw my MD instead of the Nurse Practitioner. He advised me that triptans can cause rebounds for some people. He changed my meds. After a week, I was back to my usual 1 or 2 migraines a week."

• hea...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 2, 2015

Sumatriptan for Migraine "Three days on medicine caused extreme muscle pain, tiredness, and weakness. Also, facial flushing, tingling, hot and cold flashes, blurred vision, malaise, increased urination, lack of concentration."