Sumatriptan and Vomiting: What Users Say

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

Sumatriptan 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

Sumatriptan 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

Sumatriptan 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

Sumatriptan 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

Sumatriptan 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."

• Anonymous
• April 8, 2009

Sumatriptan for Migraine "Imitrex nasal sprays changed my life. I developed migraines when I was about 13 years old. At that time, the doctor would simply prescribe painkillers for treatment, but they did nothing. They only helped me sleep for a few hours, and then I would wake back up to the headache again. After seeing a neurologist, I was prescribed Imitrex. I have tried all three forms of the medication, the pills did not work as well for me because I always vomit with a migraine. I simply did not get enough doses with the injections to last a month, only two in a prescription. But with the nasal sprays, I receive 6 each month, and they work GREAT."

• Cyc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2015

For Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome "I've suffered from cyclic vomiting for over 10 years, and the only thing that brings me relief (I've suffered for over a week before with the intense vomiting and debilitating migraines and had to be hospitalized due to dehydration and pain and panic attacks). My GP actually prescribed me the injectable form, and at the first sign, I take an injection, then usually wait 10 minutes and give myself a second injection, and this medication has saved my life."

• Mas...
• August 30, 2013

Sumatriptan for Migraine "It's quick acting, but painful, and it made me bruise and bleed a bit. It makes me feel nauseated, and I vomited once, a few minutes after use. It also made me feel sleepy, like my other migraine pills. This just acts quicker and makes you drowsy fast."

• Pet...
• January 7, 2016

For Migraine "I took one pill at onset, then took a second pill after 2 hours of no relief, as directed. I spent a total of 5 hours puking and uncoordinated, except for the hour the 2nd pill knocked me out with drowsiness. My migraine never subsided and continued to rage in full force during and after the side effects. Will not take again."

• Bug...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 15, 2018

For Migraine "This med has been a lifesaver for me, and I have been on it many years. I get migraines that cause pain all in my head, neck, shoulders, as well as nausea/vomiting, mood change, inability to think straight, etc. The first time I took it, I remember feeling a warm, dull pressure (not painful, though) in my neck and shoulders, but I've never experienced it since then. This med completely gets rid of my headache within about 30 minutes. I am SO thankful my doctor prescribed this to me years ago-it's improved my quality of life. I am, however, looking to move to a new state with less barometric pressure changes, seeing as I live in one of the worst cities for migraines. My guess is location is the cause of migraines for the majority of people."

• Rho...
• March 29, 2016

Sumatriptan for Migraine "I saw the ad for Zecuity in a magazine a month or so ago. The whole process to get the patches takes a long time, 3 weeks to a month or more. I have migraines maybe every other month, but they can be severe, with vomiting lasting two days, not counting the migraine hangover afterward. I usually take narcotics and have Zofran for the nausea, but if I wake up with a full-blown migraine, the meds don't stay down even with the Zofran. The patch is complicated to set up, but it worked. Sunday, I had a migraine, it didn't work as well, and I have a raised red circular welt on my arm that itches like anything. I am going to the doctor tomorrow, so I'll check it out with him. I hope it works better the next time."

• nit...
• June 7, 2009

Sumatriptan 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

Sumatriptan 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."

• Far...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 25, 2013

For Migraine "I have suffered migraines since I was in grade school (I'm now 45). My headaches used to come on in the late afternoon and put me in bed for the rest of the day, but I would wake up the next morning feeling okay. Now my headaches come on about 3-4 in the morning and last 2 days of nonstop vomiting and pain. The doctor put me on Topamax daily, but the side effects keep causing me to overheat in the Texas weather. The doctor just put me on sumatriptan 100 mg, and I just had an attack 2 days ago. I took 1 pill, and it did nothing. 3 hours later, I took a second dose, and I still ended up in bed for 14 hours."

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

Sumatriptan 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

Sumatriptan 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."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 10, 2019

For Migraine "I started getting migraines when I went on birth control in high school, about 3-10 a year, which completely debilitated me. I’m 26 now, and despite having told past physicians that OTC meds did nothing to quell them, I was only prescribed this about a month ago. I had my first migraine since being prescribed just today, and I have to tell you I am so grateful for this medicine! Despite the directions saying to take it when you felt the headache, I went ahead and took it at the close of my aura, when I usually would take my Excedrin. After about 30 minutes, I noticed the pain was receding, but I decided to nap a little to make sure I wasn’t imagining it. I woke up after my 30-minute nap but was immediately sick and had to run to the bathroom. I normally experience severe nausea with my migraines, so I was afraid it hadn’t worked, but felt extraordinarily migraine-free. I would give it a full 10 if not for the vomiting, but that side effect is so worth it."

• TAn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2014

For New Daily Persistent Headache "Haven't seen many people with my experience, so I appreciate Housewifeandmother's input below. Maybe my problem is also with generic sumatriptan. Maybe my dose at 100 mg is too high? But 3 out of 4 times after taking it, I became horribly nauseous and vomited the pill up within 10 minutes of taking it. I'm afraid to ever go near it again! Still looking for relief from my daily crippling headaches. Vicodin and hydrocodone seem to be the only things to relieve my pain. Started taking magnesium supplements as well, but no improvement yet. But FYI, I think my experience is uncommon."

• 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."

• Gum...
• June 1, 2011

For Migraine "This is a miracle medicine for me and is most effective when taken at the onset of a migraine. Within 20 minutes, I can feel the relief setting in. Within an hour, I have no sign of a headache or the usual symptoms of vomiting, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, etc. If I 'deny' that I feel a migraine coming on and take the pill after the headache has progressed, it takes a little longer for the pill to work. Before this medicine, I had become a prisoner in my own life, not daring to venture far from home. Thank you, Imitrex, for giving me back my life!"

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

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

• Anonymous
• April 19, 2011

Sumatriptan for New Daily Persistent Headache "I have headaches every day. I get them in the morning, and vomiting is the first thing. Imitrex injections clear them right up."

• Anonymous
• March 14, 2017

For Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome "It is fairly effective if taken in time. Usually with a nausea medication too. Doesn't fully resolve symptoms, but takes the edge off and helps with vomiting. It is also very expensive medication."

• Cab...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 9, 2014

For Migraine "Blood pressure increased from 132/80 at the onset of migraine. After 1 sumatriptan, it increased to 153/100. Not very effective at relieving throbbing pain, vomiting, pounding at the back of eyes."