Can Imitrex (sumatriptan) cause rebound headaches?

Medically reviewed by Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD. Last updated on June 27, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

Yes, Imitrex (sumatriptan) can cause rebound headaches (also known as medication-overuse headaches). Rebound headaches are more likely to occur if you take Imitrex alone or a combination of Imitrex and other headache medications (e.g., opioids, analgesics) for 10 or more days per month.

Contact your healthcare provider if your headaches seem to be getting worse while taking Imitrex. They can help you determine if you are experiencing medication-overuse headaches and offer guidance on how to treat this disorder.

What is a rebound headache?

A rebound headache is a headache that occurs on 15 or more days per month in patients with a pre-existing headache condition who have used headache medication for 10 or more days per month for over three months. All types of headache medications, including over-the-counter medications, can lead to rebound headaches.

Symptoms of a rebound headache could look like migraine-like daily headaches, or an increase in migraine attacks. Rebound headaches typically occur in the morning and are difficult to treat.

Certain people are at a higher risk for rebound headaches than others. For example, patients who tend to get headaches often are at a higher risk for rebound headaches. Other risk factors for rebound headaches include:

Younger than 50 years old
Family history of rebound headaches or substance abuse
High daily caffeine consumption
Physical inactivity
Assigned female at birth

Studies suggest genetics may also play a role in rebound headaches.

How often can I take Imitrex?

It isn’t known how safe it is to take Imitrex to treat more than 4 headaches per month. If you need to treat your headaches more often, consult with your healthcare provider. It is best to avoid taking headache medications for more than 10 days per month in order to avoid rebound headaches. If you are having frequent headaches, talk to your doctor about preventative options.

References

Brar, Y., et. al. (2023). Sumatriptan. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Accessed 06/27/2024 at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470206/

Fischer, M. A., et. al. (2023). Medication-Overuse Headache. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Accessed 06/27/2024 at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538150/

Imitrex tablet [package insert]. (Revised Feb 2024). Accessed 06/27/2024 at https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=584abe73-8290-4484-ff8e-5890831c095e

Ubrelvy vs Imitrex (sumatriptan): How do they compare?

Ubrelvy and Imitrex are both oral tablets used to treat migraine, but there are differences in the way they work. Ubrelvy prevents a protein called CGRP thought to play a role in migraine attacks from binding to its receptor and Imitrex is thought to bind to serotonin 5‑HT1B/1D receptors, and inhibit pro-inflammatory substances Although no head-to-head comparison trials compare Ubrelvy to Imitrex, indirect evidence suggests that overall, Ubrelvy is no more effective, and may be inferior to Imitrex at relieving migraine in adults who are able to tolerate triptans. For those adults with moderate-to-severe migraine attacks that cannot tolerate triptans or who have found them ineffective, Ubrelvy is beneficial for treating migraines compared to no treatment. Ubrelvy is associated with fewer side effects than Imitrex, but is more expensive, costing almost twice as much. Continue reading

How long does Imitrex (sumatriptan) take to work?

Imitex (sumatriptan) can start to work within 30 minutes of taking a dose. However, it may take a few hours for you to notice the full effects. Continue reading

Why does Imitrex (sumatriptan) make me feel weird?

Imitrex (sumatriptan) can cause a variety of side effects, which may make you feel weird after taking it. It is not fully understood what causes these side effects, but some could be related to how Imitrex affects blood vessels and nerves. Continue reading

Can Imitrex (sumatriptan) cause rebound headaches?

What is a rebound headache?

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