Is imitrex a narcotic is it an nsaid? (2023)

Table of Contents

Is sumatriptan considered an NSAID?

Sumatriptan is a serotonin receptor agonist that works in the brain to relieve migraine headaches. Naproxen is an NSAID.

What class of drugs is Imitrex?

Drug details

Imitrex belongs to a class of drugs called serotonin agonists. These are more commonly known as triptans.

Does Imitrex have a narcotic?

The short answer is no. Sumatriptan (brand name Imitrex) is a triptan, one of a group of drugs that includes almotriptan, zolmitriptan, frovatriptan, rizatriptan, naratriptan, eletriptan, and of course, sumatriptan (Smith, 2020). Narcotics are another group of drugs entirely, called opioids.

What are NSAIDs drugs for migraine?

The best-known NSAIDs used for acute migraine treatment are ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®) and naproxen sodium (Aleve®, Anaprox®), both available over-the-counter (non-prescription) and by prescription.

What migraine medication is not an NSAID?

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Unlike other OTC pain relief medication for migraines, acetaminophen is not an NSAID.

Which of the following drugs is not an NSAID?

Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) is not an NSAID. It's a pain reliever and fever reducer but doesn't have anti-inflammatory properties of NSAIDs. However, acetaminophen is sometimes combined with aspirin in over-the-counter products, such as some varieties of Excedrin®.

Is sumatriptan like ibuprofen?

A 2019 study found that ibuprofen can be as effective as other migraine medications, such as triptans. They state that a dose of 400 milligrams (mg) was more effective than 50 mg of sumatriptan. However, they also noted that 400 mg of ibuprofen was less effective than 10 mg of rizatriptan.

Who Cannot take Imitrex?

You should not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) such as phenelzine (Nardil®) or tranylcypromine (Parnate®) within the past 2 weeks. Do not use this medicine if you have taken other triptan migraine medicines or ergot-type medicines within the past 24 hours.

What drugs can you not take with Imitrex?

Do not take any MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, metaxalone, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before treatment with this medication.

What kind of painkiller is sumatriptan?

Sumatriptan works in the brain to relieve the pain from migraine headaches. It belongs to the group of medicines called triptans.

Can I take ibuprofen and Imitrex together?

Interactions between your drugs

No interactions were found between ibuprofen and Imitrex.

Why do I feel weird after taking Imitrex?

Using Imitrex too often may cause a medication overuse headache (rebound headache). With this side effect, migraine may occur more often, you may develop more cluster headaches, or you may feel migraine-like pain every day.

How do you get rid of a headache without NSAIDs?

Tips to Get Rid of a Headache
  1. Try a Cold Pack.
  2. Use a Heating Pad or Hot Compress.
  3. Ease Pressure on Your Scalp or Head.
  4. Dim the Lights.
  5. Try Not to Chew.
  6. Hydrate.
  7. Get Some Caffeine.
  8. Practice Relaxation.

What are examples of NSAIDs?

The main types of NSAIDs include:
  • ibuprofen.
  • naproxen.
  • diclofenac.
  • celecoxib.
  • mefenamic acid.
  • etoricoxib.
  • indomethacin.
  • aspirin for pain relief (low-dose aspirin is not normally considered to be an NSAID)

What is the most prescribed drug for migraines?

Triptans. Prescription drugs such as sumatriptan (Imitrex, Tosymra) and rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT) are used to treat migraine because they block pain pathways in the brain. Taken as pills, shots or nasal sprays, they can relieve many symptoms of migraine.

What is the best anti-inflammatory that is not an NSAID?

Acetaminophen is a safe alternative to NSAIDs for people who are allergic or hypersensitive to ibuprofen or other NSAIDs. In addition, certain supplements can help provide relief from inflammation and pain. Common alternatives to NSAIDs include arnica, curcumin, and bromelain.

What is the safest migraine medicine?

NSAIDS — or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — are the first line of treatment when it comes to migraines. These include ibuprofen, which is known by the brand names of Motrin and Advil; and naproxen, which is known as Aleve.

Is Excedrin considered NSAID?

NSAID side effects

Advil Migraine and Excedrin Migraine both contain NSAIDs, which are known to be tough on the stomach. They can cause stomach upset and raise the risk of stomach ulcers, although ibuprofen may cause less stomach irritation than aspirin.

What is the strongest NSAID?

Research shows diclofenac is the strongest and most effective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine available.10 Diclofenec is sold under the prescription brand names Cambia, Cataflam, Zipsor, and Zorvolex. It is also available as a topical gel, Voltaren, which is available over the counter.

What are the 3 most common NSAIDs?

Most Common Types of NSAIDs
  • Aspirin (Bayer, Bufferin, and Ecotrin, St. Joseph). ...
  • Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Ibuprofen can treat a range of conditions including post-surgical pain and pain from inflammatory diseases, such as ankylosing spondylitis. ...
  • Naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox DS, Naprosyn). ...
  • Celecoxib (Celebrex).

What is the safest NSAID drug?

Experts say that taking NSAIDs for a short time at the lowest effective dose is generally safe.
...
This class of medications includes:
  • Aspirin (full dose)
  • Celecoxib (used in Celebrex)
  • Diclofenac (used in Votaren)
  • Ibuprofen (used in Advil or Motrin)
  • Naproxen (used in Aleve)
Nov 19, 2021

What is a good alternative to Imitrex?

Triptans or Ditans.
  • Almotriptan (Axert)
  • Eletriptan (Relpax)
  • Frovatriptan (Frova)
  • Lasmiditan (Reyvow)
  • Naratriptan (Amerge)
  • Rizatriptan (Maxalt)
  • Sumatriptan (Imitrex, Onzetra Xsail, Sumavel DosePro, Zembrace)
  • Zolmitriptan (Zomig)
Jan 8, 2020

What is better than Imitrex for migraines?

by Drugs.com

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.

Why does my body hurt after taking sumatriptan?

These results suggest that mild vasoconstriction in peripheral skeletal muscle is associated with the action of sumatriptan and is likely to be the source of the side-effects experienced by some users. Migraine with aura patients were more susceptible to this effect than migraine without aura patients.

Why is Imitrex limited to 9 per month?

There is a reason behind the limit on pills. Headache doctors know that taking triptans more than 10 times a month can actually make migraines more frequent or more severe in some people. Rebound headache, or medication overuse headache, is a pretty common migraine trigger.

Is Imitrex hard on the heart?

This medicine may increase your risk of having abnormal heart rhythm, heart attack, angina, or stroke. This is more likely to occur if you or a family member already has heart disease, if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or if you smoke.

Is it OK to take Imitrex daily?

This is not a medication you take daily, but one you would take as needed at a migraine or headache's start. Imitrex is not used for preventing headaches or migraines. Imitrex has also not been tested for safety of treating more than four headaches per 30-day period.

What is stronger than Imitrex?

Eletriptan. Eletriptan has a fast onset similar to Axert and Maxalt with response within 30 minutes. It has superior efficacy to Imitrex 100mg at 40 and 80mg doses.

Is weight loss a side effect of Imitrex?

Can Imitrex cause weight loss? Weight loss isn't a direct side effect of Imitrex. But if you have unexplained weight loss during your treatment, it may be a sign of reduced blood flow to your stomach or intestines. This is a serious side effect of Imitrex.

Can you take other pain meds with Imitrex?

It can interact with other medications that raise serotonin levels. This includes many antidepressants, tramadol (Ultram, ConZip), and linezolid (Zyvox). Sumatriptan can tighten your blood vessels and raise your blood pressure. It shouldn't be used with other triptans or a class of medications called ergot derivatives.

Is Imitrex a muscle relaxer?

Imitrex is a muscle relaxer that works by stimulating tissues in the central nervous system to become more robust. It is by binding opadry protein, which functionaceous cells on muscle cells, increasing the ability to function and contracting the muscles.

Is sumatriptan like aspirin?

Sumatriptan is not an ordinary pain reliever. It will not relieve pain other than from migraine headaches. This medicine is usually used for people whose headaches are not relieved by acetaminophen, aspirin, or other pain relievers.

Is Imitrex a pain medication?

What is Imitrex? Imitrex is a headache medicine that narrows blood vessels around the brain. Sumatriptan also reduces substances in the body that can trigger headache pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other migraine symptoms. Imitrex is available as oral tablets, a nasal spray, and as an injection.

Can I take Imitrex two days in a row?

It's not the number of consecutive days that medications are taken that is important, but how many days in a week acute medications are taken. Most experts agree that the total number of days per week that ALL acute medications combined be taken is no more than two or three.

How quickly does Imitrex work?

Effective for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults. In most people, sumatriptan works quickly, within 5 minutes for the injection or within 10 to 20 minutes with the tablets.

Can you take 2 Imitrex in one day?

For migraine headaches: Adults—25, 50, or 100 milligrams (mg) as a single dose. If you get some relief, or if the migraine comes back after being relieved, another dose may be taken 2 hours after the last dose. Do not take more than 200 mg in any 24-hour period.

Should you lay down after taking Imitrex?

Do not lie down for at least 10 minutes after taking this drug. To prevent stomach upset, take this medication with food, milk, or an antacid.

Can sumatriptan make you feel high?

Overall, the study determined that sumatriptan has low abuse potential and does not result in any intense feelings of being high, nor is the substance quick to cause physical dependence.

What does Imitrex do to the brain?

It works by narrowing blood vessels in the head, stopping pain signals from being sent to the brain, and blocking the release of certain natural substances that cause pain, nausea, and other symptoms of migraine.

What are the best NSAIDs for headache?

Which OTC drugs are commonly recommended to treat migraine headaches? NSAIDS — or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs — are the first line of treatment when it comes to migraines. These include ibuprofen, which is known by the brand names of Motrin and Advil; and naproxen, which is known as Aleve.

Who should avoid sumatriptan?

Use of sumatriptan is not recommended in elderly patients with kidney problems, heart or blood vessel disease, or high blood pressure, and should not be used by elderly patients with liver problems.

Does sumatriptan work as a painkiller?

It is not a painkiller but you can use this medicine if painkillers or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have not worked. Sumatriptan comes as tablets, a nasal spray or injection. The nasal spray and injection are used to treat migraines and cluster headaches.

What is the strongest NSAID for pain?

Research shows diclofenac is the strongest and most effective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine available.10 Diclofenec is sold under the prescription brand names Cambia, Cataflam, Zipsor, and Zorvolex. It is also available as a topical gel, Voltaren, which is available over the counter.

What is the safest headache pain reliever?

For a mild headache, acetaminophen and ibuprofen both can be effective, and patients should take whichever medication offers the best relief, says Cedars-Sinai hospitalist Nicole Van Groningen, MD.

What is the best pain reliever for headache with high blood pressure?

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is often the pain reliever of choice for people with high blood pressure (hypertension) because most other options are types of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), which can raise blood pressure.

Why do I feel weird after taking sumatriptan?

You're at higher risk of developing a serious condition called serotonin syndrome if you take these drugs. Symptoms can include agitation, sweating, fast heartbeat, or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren't real). They can also include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of balance.

What drug interacts with Imitrex?

It can interact with other medications that raise serotonin levels. This includes many antidepressants, tramadol (Ultram, ConZip), and linezolid (Zyvox). Sumatriptan can tighten your blood vessels and raise your blood pressure. It shouldn't be used with other triptans or a class of medications called ergot derivatives.

Why can you only get 9 sumatriptan a month?

There is a reason behind the limit on pills. Headache doctors know that taking triptans more than 10 times a month can actually make migraines more frequent or more severe in some people. Rebound headache, or medication overuse headache, is a pretty common migraine trigger.

How many days in a row can I take Imitrex?

If you take Imitrex too often, you may develop rebound headaches. * It's recommended that you take Imitrex less than 10 days per month, to avoid this side effect.

How much caffeine is in Imitrex?

Welcome to MyMigraineConnection! None of the Migraine abortive medications have caffeine in them: Triptans: Imitrex, Maxalt, Zomig, Amerge, Relpax, Axert, Frova. Imitrex is now available as the generic sumatriptan or combined with naproxen sodium in Treximet.

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