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Sumatriptan

Sumatriptan is a triptan medication used to treat acute migraine attacks across several forms and brands, and the subcutaneous injection is also approved to treat cluster headache in adults.

Brand names Imitrex TabletsZembraceOnzetraImitrexTosymra +1 more
Drug classes Serotonin 1b Receptor Agonists
Rx Forms 3
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 57 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 5, 2026
Other forms & routes:
Injection Nasal
Sumatriptan at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written

Sumatriptan, a triptan, is a usual first choice for stopping a migraine attack once it starts (some injection forms also treat cluster headache), working by narrowing blood vessels in the head and blocking pain chemicals released by the trigeminal nerve; it has been around since the 1990s and is available as a generic. Most people handle it well, though brief tingling, warmth, flushing or chest or neck heaviness soon after a dose is common. It narrows blood vessels elsewhere too, so it is not for people with heart disease, a past stroke or uncontrolled high blood pressure, and severe or lingering chest, jaw or throat pressure needs prompt care.

Clinical pearls

  • Take it at the first sign of migraine pain; a repeat dose later only makes sense if the first one helped.
  • Never use it within 24 hours of another triptan or an ergot drug such as dihydroergotamine.
  • If you take an SSRI, SNRI or other antidepressant, make sure your prescriber knows, because the combination can raise serotonin syndrome risk.
  • Needing it on many days each month can cause rebound headaches, so more frequent attacks call for a preventive plan.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
How you get itPrescription only
Comes asTablet, Injection, Nasal spray
Earliest FDA record1992
Companies listing it with the FDA42
FDA label last updatedDec 9, 2025
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)None on the label

Patient information guide A plain-language walkthrough of Sumatriptan, written from its FDA label.

What Sumatriptan is used for

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Sumatriptan is a triptan used to treat acute migraine and, with certain injection products, cluster headache attacks in adults. It is not a preventive medicine — it is taken to stop an attack that has already begun.

  • Acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults — all forms and brands
  • Acute treatment of cluster headache in adults — Imitrex injection, Sumatriptan injection, and Sumatriptan Succinate injection only
  • Zembrace SymTouch (subcutaneous injection): acute migraine only; not approved for cluster headache
  • Onzetra Xsail (nasal capsule), nasal sprays, and tablets: acute migraine only; not established for cluster headache
  • No sumatriptan product is indicated for the prevention of migraine or cluster headache

How Sumatriptan works

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Sumatriptan binds with high affinity to serotonin receptors called 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D, found on blood vessels and sensory nerves inside the skull. Activating these receptors causes the blood vessels to constrict (narrow) and blocks the release of inflammatory chemicals from the trigeminal nerve — the nerve network at the root of migraine pain. The result is relief from the pain and other symptoms of a migraine or cluster headache attack.

Sumatriptan dosage

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Sumatriptan is available in several forms: tablets taken by mouth, nasal sprays, a breath-powered nasal capsule (Onzetra Xsail), and injections given just under the skin. The form, timing, and maximum daily amount differ by product — always follow your prescriber's instructions. Tablets can be taken with or without food, though a high-fat meal may slightly increase absorption. If a first dose helps but the headache returns, a second dose may be taken after the required waiting period, but only if the first dose gave you some relief. Do not use sumatriptan every day to prevent headaches — it is for treating attacks only, and overuse can actually worsen headaches over time.

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Sumatriptan prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • Onzetra Xsail nasal powder: acute treatment of migraine
    • 22 mg of sumatriptan nasal powder (2 nosepieces), one 11 mg nosepiece in each nostril
    • If the migraine has not resolved by 2 hours, or returns after a transient improvement, a second dose of 22 mg may be administered at least 2 hours after the first dose
    • Maximum: Two doses (44 mg/4 nosepieces) in 24 hours, separated by at least 2 hours
  • Sumatriptan injection (subcutaneous): acute treatment of migraine
    • Single dose of 4 mg or 6 mg injected subcutaneously
    • 4 mg may be used if side effects are dose limiting
    • A second 6 mg dose should only be considered if some response to a first injection was observed, separated by at least 1 hour
    • Maximum: 12 mg in 24 hours (two 6 mg injections separated by at least 1 hour)
    • For doses other than 6 mg, use the 6 mg single-dose vial, not the autoinjector
  • Sumatriptan injection (subcutaneous): acute treatment of cluster headache
    • Single dose of 6 mg injected subcutaneously
    • Efficacy of lower doses has not been established
    • Maximum: 12 mg in 24 hours (two 6 mg injections separated by at least 1 hour)
  • Sumatriptan tablets: acute treatment of migraine in adults
    • Single dose of 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg
    • If the migraine has not resolved by 2 hours or returns after a transient improvement, a second dose may be given at least 2 hours after the first dose
    • Maximum: 200 mg in a 24-hour period
    • Doses of 50 mg and 100 mg may provide a greater effect than 25 mg; higher doses may have a greater risk of adverse reactions
  • Sumatriptan tablets: migraine returning after initial treatment with sumatriptan injection
    • Additional single sumatriptan tablets may be given with an interval of at least 2 hours between tablet doses
    • Maximum: up to 100 mg/day
  • Sumatriptan tablets: patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment
    • If treatment is deemed advisable, maximum single dose should not exceed 50 mg
    • Maximum: 50 mg single dose
    • Hepatic impairment
Read the label’s full dosing text

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Single dose of 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg tablet. ( 2.1 ) A second dose should only be considered if some response to the first dose was observed. Separate doses by at least 2 hours. ( 2.1 ) Maximum dose in a 24-hour period: 200 mg. ( 2.1 ) Maximum single dose should not exceed 50 mg in patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Dosing Information The recommended dose of sumatriptan succinate tablets is 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg. Doses of 50 mg and 100 mg may provide a greater effect than the 25 mg dose, but doses of 100 mg may not provide a greater effect than the 50 mg dose. Higher doses may have a greater risk of adverse reactions [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )]. If the migraine has not resolved by 2 hours after taking sumatriptan succinate tablets, or returns after a transient improvement, a second dose may be administered at least 2 hours after the first dose. The maximum daily dose is 200 mg in a 24-hour period. Use after sumatriptan injection If the migraine returns following an initial treatment with sumatriptan injection, additional single sumatriptan succinate tablets (up to 100 mg/day) may be given with an interval of at least 2 hours between tablet doses. The safety of treating an average of more than 4 headaches in a 30-day period has not been established. 2.2 Dosing in Patients with Hepatic Impairment If treatment is deemed advisable in the presence of mild to moderate hepatic impairment, the maximum single dose should not exceed 50 mg [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.6 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] .

Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Sumatriptan side effects

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The most common side effects with sumatriptan include:

Common side effects

  • Tingling or numbness
  • Warm, hot, or burning sensation
  • Feeling of heaviness or pressure
  • Flushing
  • Dizziness
  • Feeling of tightness
  • Injection site reactions (with the injection form)
  • Nasal or throat irritation (with nasal forms)
  • Nasal or throat burning, numbness, or discharge (with nasal forms)

When to get medical help

  • Chest, throat, jaw, or neck pain, tightness, or pressure — get evaluated right away
  • Signs of a heart attack: sudden severe chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating
  • Signs of a stroke: sudden face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty
  • Severe allergic reaction: swelling of the face or throat, hives, difficulty breathing
  • Signs of serotonin syndrome: agitation, rapid heart rate, muscle twitching, fever, confusion
  • Significant rise in blood pressure or symptoms of hypertensive crisis
  • Seizures
  • Abdominal pain or bloody diarrhea (possible bowel blood vessel spasm)

Sumatriptan warnings and precautions

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  • Heart risks: Serious cardiac events including heart attack and dangerous heart rhythms have been reported, sometimes in people without known heart disease. Anyone with multiple cardiovascular risk factors needs a cardiac evaluation before starting sumatriptan.
  • Stroke and cerebrovascular events: Stroke and bleeding in or around the brain have occurred with triptans. Sumatriptan is contraindicated in anyone with a history of stroke or TIA.
  • Blood pressure: Significant blood pressure spikes — including hypertensive crisis — have been reported, even in people without high blood pressure. Sumatriptan is contraindicated in uncontrolled high blood pressure.
  • Vasospasm elsewhere in the body: Sumatriptan can cause blood vessel spasm in the gut, limbs, or other areas, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, or limb coldness.
  • Serotonin syndrome: A potentially dangerous buildup of serotonin activity can occur, especially when sumatriptan is combined with certain antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs) or MAO inhibitors.
  • Medication overuse headache: Using acute headache treatments on too many days per month can cause headaches to become more frequent and harder to treat.
  • Seizures: Seizures have been reported; use with caution if you have epilepsy or a condition that lowers your seizure threshold.

Sumatriptan interactions

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Sumatriptan has several important drug interactions that can be dangerous:

  • Ergot-containing drugs (e.g., dihydroergotamine, methysergide) — cannot be used within 24 hours of sumatriptan; both cause blood vessel constriction and the effects are additive
  • Other triptans or 5-HT1 agonists — cannot be combined within 24 hours; same reason as ergots
  • MAO-A inhibitors — cannot be used together or within 2 weeks; they dramatically increase sumatriptan levels in the blood (up to 7-fold), raising the risk of serious side effects
  • SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, and MAO inhibitors — using these together with sumatriptan raises the risk of serotonin syndrome

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Sumatriptan prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

  • Ergot-containing drugs (ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, methysergide): Ergot-containing drugs have been reported to cause prolonged vasospastic reactions, and these effects may be additive. Use within 24 hours of each other is contraindicated.
  • Monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) inhibitors: MAO-A inhibitors increase systemic exposure by up to 7-fold. Use in patients receiving MAO-A inhibitors is contraindicated.
  • Other 5-HT1 agonists (e.g., triptans): Their vasospastic effects may be additive. Coadministration within 24 hours of each other is contraindicated.
  • SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs and MAO inhibitors: Cases of serotonin syndrome have been reported during coadministration of triptans with these drugs.
Read the label’s full interactions text

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Ergot-Containing Drugs Ergot-containing drugs have been reported to cause prolonged vasospastic reactions. Because these effects may be additive, use of ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medications (like dihydroergotamine or methysergide) and sumatriptan succinate tablets within 24 hours of each other is contraindicated. 7.2 Monoamine Oxidase-A Inhibitors MAO-A inhibitors increase systemic exposure by 7-fold. Therefore, the use of sumatriptan succinate tablets in patients receiving MAO-A inhibitors is contraindicated [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 7.3 Other 5-HT1 Agonists Because their vasospastic effects may be additive, coadministration of sumatriptan succinate tablets and other 5-HT 1 agonists (e.g., triptans) within 24 hours of each other is contraindicated. 7.4 Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors and Serotonin Syndrome Cases of serotonin syndrome have been reported during coadministration of triptans and SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, and MAO inhibitors [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] .

Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

🌿50 supplements and herbs with documented Sumatriptan interactions, ranked by severity Check Sumatriptan against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Sumatriptan

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  • Tell your prescriber if you have any history of heart disease, angina, heart attack, or arrhythmias such as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
  • Tell your prescriber if you have had a stroke, TIA (mini-stroke), or certain types of migraine (hemiplegic or basilar) — sumatriptan is contraindicated in these cases
  • Tell your prescriber if you have peripheral vascular disease, ischemic bowel disease, or uncontrolled high blood pressure
  • Tell your prescriber if you have liver disease — tablets are contraindicated in severe liver impairment; dose limits apply for mild to moderate impairment
  • Tell your prescriber about all other medications, especially antidepressants and any MAO inhibitors
  • Pregnancy: Animal studies showed possible fetal harm; discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor before using
  • Breastfeeding: Sumatriptan passes into breast milk; consider avoiding nursing for 12 hours after a dose to reduce infant exposure
  • Children and adolescents under 18: Effectiveness has not been established; not recommended for this age group
  • Older adults: Use cautiously; a cardiovascular evaluation is recommended if heart risk factors are present
  • Latex-sensitive patients: the needle shield on some prefilled syringes (Imitrex and Sumatriptan Succinate injection) contains natural rubber latex — alert your provider

Sumatriptan overdose

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If too much sumatriptan is taken, watch for signs such as seizures, tremor, weakness or paralysis, breathing problems, and bluish skin color. The drug has a short half-life of about 2.5 hours, but monitoring should continue for at least 10 hours after an overdose or while any symptoms persist. If you suspect an overdose, contact poison control or seek emergency medical care immediately.

What Sumatriptan does in the body

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Sumatriptan causes constriction of cranial blood vessels by activating 5-HT1B/1D receptors. Studies in healthy volunteers did not find a clinically significant increase in resistance in small peripheral (outer body) arteries at therapeutic doses. However, significant rises in blood pressure — including hypertensive crisis — have been reported in some patients, with and without a history of high blood pressure. Changes in blood pressure during clinical trials were generally not accompanied by significant changes in heart rate.

How your body processes Sumatriptan

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When taken by mouth, sumatriptan has an oral bioavailability (the fraction that actually reaches the bloodstream) of only about 15%, mainly because the liver breaks much of it down before it enters circulation. Blood levels peak later during a migraine attack than during a headache-free period. Sumatriptan is broken down primarily by an enzyme called MAO-A, mostly in the liver, and the resulting breakdown products are inactive; only about 3% of a dose leaves the body unchanged. The elimination half-life — the time it takes the body to clear half the drug — is approximately 2.5 hours, with most of the drug leaving through the urine and some through the stool. In people with liver disease, blood levels can be significantly higher than normal, which is why dose adjustments are needed and tablets are contraindicated in severe liver impairment.

How to store Sumatriptan

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Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) (See USP controlled Room Temperature.

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

50

Supplements & herbs that interact with Sumatriptan

50 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Sumatriptan in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 8
  • Moderate · 31
  • Minor · 11
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major AMERICAN HELLEBORE Major ARSENIC Major CESIUM Major EPHEDRA Major GRAPEFRUIT Major LITHIUM Major SIDA CORDIFOLIA Major +42 more
Every supplement checked against Sumatriptan — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 8 major · 31 moderate · 11 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Sumatriptan against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

Sumatriptan: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Sumatriptan — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What exactly does sumatriptan do — does it prevent migraines or stop them?

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Sumatriptan stops a migraine that's already started — it does not prevent future attacks. Think of it as a rescue medicine you take when a migraine hits, not something you take every day. If you need to prevent migraines from happening in the first place, talk to your doctor about a separate preventive treatment.

When should I take it during a migraine attack?

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Take it as soon as you're sure a migraine attack has started. Sumatriptan works by targeting the blood vessels and nerve pathways involved in the attack, so getting it on board early tends to work best. If your first dose helps but the headache comes back, you may be able to take a second dose after the required waiting period — but only if the first one gave you at least some relief. Never take a second dose if the first one did nothing at all without checking with your doctor first.

What side effects should I just expect, and which ones mean I should call for help?

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Pretty common ones you might notice include tingling, a warm or flushing feeling, a sense of heaviness or pressure, and dizziness — these are typical and usually short-lived. What you should call for help immediately are chest pain or tightness, sudden severe headache unlike your usual migraine, signs of a stroke (face drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech), a major allergic reaction like throat swelling or hives, or symptoms like agitation, rapid heartbeat, and high fever all at once (which can signal a rare but serious drug reaction called serotonin syndrome).

Can I take sumatriptan with my antidepressant?

▾
This depends on which antidepressant you're taking, so it's really important to tell your prescriber everything you're on. Combining sumatriptan with certain antidepressants — like SSRIs, SNRIs, or tricyclics — can raise the risk of a condition called serotonin syndrome, where too much serotonin activity builds up at once. MAO inhibitor antidepressants are actually a hard contraindication: you cannot take sumatriptan within 2 weeks of an MAO inhibitor. Your prescriber can review the combination and decide if sumatriptan is safe for you.

Is it safe to use sumatriptan if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?

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This is something to discuss carefully with your doctor. Human pregnancy registry data have not shown a clear pattern of birth defects, but animal studies did raise some concerns, so caution is warranted. If you're breastfeeding, sumatriptan does pass into breast milk — you can reduce your baby's exposure by waiting 12 hours after a dose before nursing. Your doctor can help you weigh the benefit of treating your migraine against any potential risk.

I've been getting more headaches lately — could sumatriptan itself be causing them?

▾
It's possible — this is a real phenomenon called medication overuse headache. When you use any acute headache medicine, including triptans like sumatriptan, on too many days per month, it can actually make headaches occur more frequently and become harder to treat. If you feel like your headaches are getting worse or more frequent, let your doctor know. You may need to reassess how often you're using the medication.

Is Sumatriptan available over the counter?

▾
No. Sumatriptan is a prescription medicine: every Sumatriptan product listed with the FDA is prescription only, so it is not sold over the counter. Your prescriber decides whether it is appropriate for you, and your pharmacist dispenses it.

When was Sumatriptan first available?

▾
The earliest FDA record we hold for Sumatriptan is from 1992: its first approval in Drugs@FDA or its earliest product listing in the NDC Directory, whichever is older. Many older medicines were in use before their first formal FDA approval, so this is the earliest date on record, not necessarily when Sumatriptan was first used.

Who makes Sumatriptan?

▾
42 companies currently list Sumatriptan products in the FDA's NDC Directory, including Proficient Rx LP, NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc., A-S Medication Solutions. That count includes repackagers and distributors as well as manufacturers (companies that sell only the raw ingredient are not counted), so fewer companies actually make it; the label on your bottle names the one that supplied yours.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More about Sumatriptan on HelloPharmacist

📊Sumatriptan supplement interactions50 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerSumatriptan vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Sumatriptan NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed data & references for Sumatriptan Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Sumatriptan forms and strengths (how it comes)

Sumatriptan is available in 3 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Tablet

By mouth
Brands Imitrex
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Imitrex tablets: acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults
  • Sumatriptan tablets: acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults
  • Tablets are not indicated for cluster headache or for migraine prevention
Important instructions
  • Taken by mouth, with or without food
  • If the migraine has not resolved or returns after 2 hours, a second dose may be taken — but only if the first dose provided some relief
  • Do not exceed the maximum daily amount in a 24-hour period
  • In patients with mild to moderate liver impairment, the maximum single dose is limited — follow your prescriber's guidance
Available strengths 3 strengths
25 mg 50 mg 100 mg
173 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Injection

By injection · Under the skin
Brands Imitrex Zembrace SymTouch
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Imitrex injection: acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults, and acute treatment of cluster headache in adults
  • Sumatriptan injection: acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults, and acute treatment of cluster headache in adults
  • Sumatriptan Succinate injection: acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults, and acute treatment of cluster headache in adults
  • Zembrace SymTouch: acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults only — not indicated for cluster headache
Important instructions
  • For subcutaneous (under the skin) use only — do not inject by any other route
  • Zembrace SymTouch is a prefilled single-dose auto-injector; the needle penetrates approximately ¼ inch
  • A second injection should only be considered if the first dose provided some relief; separate doses by at least 1 hour
  • The needle shield of Imitrex and Sumatriptan Succinate prefilled syringes contains natural rubber latex — tell your doctor if you have a latex allergy
Available strengths 3 strengths
3 mg/0.5 mL 4 mg/0.5 mL 6 mg/0.5 mL
59 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Nasal spray

In the nose
Brands Tosymra
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Imitrex nasal spray: acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults
  • Sumatriptan nasal spray: acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults
  • Tosymra: acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults
  • Nasal spray forms are not indicated for cluster headache or migraine prevention
Important instructions
  • Tosymra is given as a single spray into one nostril
  • Tosymra: the maximum cumulative dose in 24 hours is 30 mg; separate doses by at least 1 hour
  • Nasal and throat irritation, burning, or numbness may occur after use and typically resolves within 2 hours
  • Do not use more frequently than directed; follow your prescriber's instructions
Available strengths 9 strengths
5 mg 5 mg/0.1 mL 5 mg/100uL SUMATRIPTAN 5 mg/100uL 10 mg/0.1 mL 20 mg
Show 3 more strengths Show fewer strengths
20 mg/0.1 mL 20 mg/100uL SUMATRIPTAN 20 mg/100uL
30 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Sumatriptan on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Sumatriptan appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

42 companies list 122 Sumatriptan product records with the FDA, mostly as tablet, injection, nasal spray; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1992. Brand names on the directory include Imitrex Tablets, Zembrace, Onzetra and 3 more; the rest are generics.

3
Dose forms ⓘ
42
Labelers (makers, repackagers, distributors)
5
Brand names
122
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1992
Earliest FDA record ⓘ

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (21) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

Proficient Rx LP10%
NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc.7%
A-S Medication Solutions6%
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.6%
GlaxoSmithKline LLC5%
Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc.4%
Other makers63%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

How widely Sumatriptan is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Sumatriptan is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Sumatriptan is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

1,522,413
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$32M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Sumatriptan prescribed? Of the 1,601 medications we measure, Sumatriptan ranks #130 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 92% of them.

Where Sumatriptan ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #130 of 1,601
#125 Clindamycin Topical 1,717,223 Rx #126 Nystatin Topical 1,710,957 Rx #127 Oxcarbazepine 1,703,259 Rx #128 Tramadol 1,699,315 Rx #129 Atomoxetine 1,684,860 Rx #130 Sumatriptan 1,522,413 Rx #131 Clopidogrel 1,480,259 Rx #132 Zolpidem 1,428,857 Rx #133 Glipizide 1,400,626 Rx #134 Buprenorphine Buccal (... 1,379,027 Rx #135 Buprenorphine 1,379,027 Rx

Utilization by Sumatriptan product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 50 mg oral tablet is the most-dispensed Sumatriptan product — about 40% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

sumatriptan 50 MG Oral Tablet Most dispensed

614,305 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 40% of Sumatriptan prescriptions shown $7.1M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $12 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 13 of 76 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 313161

sumatriptan 100 MG Oral Tablet

565,270 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 37% of Sumatriptan prescriptions shown $6.8M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $12 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 13 of 70 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 313160

sumatriptan 25 MG Oral Tablet

258,343 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 17% of Sumatriptan prescriptions shown $2.9M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $11 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 11 of 71 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 315223

sumatriptan 20 MG/ACTUAT Nasal Spray

29,678 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 2% of Sumatriptan prescriptions shown $3.8M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $128 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 5 of 9 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 314227

0.5 ML sumatriptan 12 MG/ML Auto-Injector

27,753 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 2% of Sumatriptan prescriptions shown $5.6M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $203 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 4 of 23 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1657151

sumatriptan 5 MG/ACTUAT Nasal Spray

17,972 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 1% of Sumatriptan prescriptions shown $3.1M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $174 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 3 of 7 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 313159

0.5 ML sumatriptan 12 MG/ML Injection

7,254 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Sumatriptan prescriptions shown $317,898 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $44 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 5 of 30 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 313165

0.5 ML sumatriptan 12 MG/ML Cartridge

1,019 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Sumatriptan prescriptions shown $1.5M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $1,444 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 6 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1657160

sumatriptan 10 MG/ACTUAT Nasal Spray

428 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Sumatriptan prescriptions shown $287,935 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $673 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 7 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 401978

0.5 ML sumatriptan 6 MG/ML Auto-Injector

319 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Sumatriptan prescriptions shown $492,808 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $1,545 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 2 of 7 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1738576

0.5 ML sumatriptan 8 MG/ML Cartridge

72 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Sumatriptan prescriptions shown $53,168 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $738 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 5 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1657173

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Sumatriptan, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 61 of 311 listed Sumatriptan NDCs with Medicaid activity.

Compare Sumatriptan products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Sumatriptan — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 104 of 122 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 122 Sumatriptan NDCs →

Sumatriptan recall history

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

The FDA’s enforcement reports list one Sumatriptan recall since July 2021. It is no longer listed as ongoing. A recall names specific lots from one company, so check the lot number on your own bottle rather than assuming every product is affected; your pharmacist can check whether your supply came from an affected lot.

Class II Apr 13, 2022 · Terminated · Mckesson Medical-Surgical Inc. Corporate Office
cGMP deviations: Temperature abuse
  • Sumatriptan Succinate Tablets, 100 mg, 9 (1 x 9) Unit-of- use tablets box, Rx only, MFG: Sun Pharmaceuticals, NDC 62756-522-69 Lots: McKesson Medical-Surgical (MMS) is not able to identify the particular lot number received by a particular consignee for the recalled prescription products. Each letter includes the date it was distributed to customers and the dates that i… FDA record D-1111-2022 →

Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Sep 24, 2026.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Sumatriptan RxCUI 37418 8 dose forms · 15 strengths
  3. Dose form (SCDF) Injection RxCUI 1656981 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.5 ML sumatriptan 12 MG/ML RxCUI 313165 0.5 ML sumatriptan 8 MG/ML RxCUI 1657010
  4. Dose form (SCDF) Nasal Powder RxCUI 1739331 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 11 MG RxCUI 1739332
  5. Dose form (SCDF) Nasal Spray RxCUI 379118 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 5 MG/ACTUAT RxCUI 313159 10 MG/ACTUAT RxCUI 401978 20 MG/ACTUAT RxCUI 314227
  6. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Tablet RxCUI 374012 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 25 MG RxCUI 315223 50 MG RxCUI 313161 100 MG RxCUI 313160
  7. Dose form (SCDF) Prefilled Syringe RxCUI 727338 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) 0.5 ML sumatriptan 12 MG/ML RxCUI 727339
  8. Dose form (SCDF) Transdermal System RxCUI 1806101 No current FDA listing

Look up RxCUI 37418 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

💵 What Sumatriptan costs pharmacies (NADAC benchmark)

The national average invoice price pharmacies pay for the drug itself, from CMS's NADAC survey (data as of Sep 30, 2026). This is a supply-cost benchmark — not a retail price and not what you'd pay at the counter.

FormStrengthPharmacy acquisition benchmark
Tablet · Oral 100 mg $0.439 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet · Oral 50 mg $0.302 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet · Oral 25 mg $0.239 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet, Film Coated · Oral 50 mg $73.07 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet, Film Coated · Oral 100 mg $72.40 per tablet NDC details & price history
Injection · Subcutaneous 6 mg/0.5 mL $14.93 per mL NDC details & price history
Injection · Subcutaneous 4 mg/0.5 mL $463.07 per mL NDC details & price history
Spray · Nasal 20 mg $16.51 each NDC details & price history
Spray · Nasal 5 mg $17.04 each NDC details & price history
Spray · Nasal SUMATRIPTAN 5 mg/100uL $17.04 each NDC details & price history
Why show this? Your out-of-pocket cost depends on insurance, pharmacy markup, and discounts — but the acquisition benchmark tells you whether the medication itself is inexpensive or costly, which strengths cost more per dose, and whether a cash-price quote is in a reasonable range. Each row links to the NDC-level record with its full price history.

Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), a survey of retail pharmacy invoice prices. Benchmarks shown are the range across package sizes of a representative product for each form and strength — other manufacturers' products may differ.

Sumatriptan brand names

Sumatriptan is sold under 6 brand names in the FDA directory — Imitrex Tablets, Zembrace, Onzetra, Imitrex and others. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Imitrex Tablets Zembrace Onzetra Imitrex Tosymra Zembrace SymTouch

Who makes Sumatriptan: manufacturers and labelers

42 companies list Sumatriptan products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are Proficient Rx LP, NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc., A-S Medication Solutions. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

Proficient Rx LP 12 NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc. 8 A-S Medication Solutions 7 Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc. 7 GlaxoSmithKline LLC 6 Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc. 5 Sportpharm LLC 5 Asclemed USA, Inc. 4 Direct_Rx 4 Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited 4 Golden State Medical Supply, Inc. 4 NorthStar Rx LLC 4 Onesource Specialty Pharma Limited 4 Aurobindo Pharma Limited 3 Bionpharma Inc. 3 Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. 3 Rising Pharma Holdings, Inc. 3 Advanced Rx Pharmacy of Tennessee, LLC 2 Advanced Rx of Tennessee, LLC 2 Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2 Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited 2 Bryant Ranch Prepack 2 Lannett Company, Inc. 2 Padagis Israel Pharmaceuticals Ltd 2

…and 18 more on the FDA NDC directory.

Sumatriptan drug class (RxNorm)

Sumatriptan belongs to the Serotonin-1b and Serotonin-1d Receptor Agonist class.

Pharmacologic class Serotonin-1b and Serotonin-1d Receptor Agonist
Drug family (ATC) Selective serotonin (5HT1) agonists
How it works Serotonin 1b Receptor Agonists, Serotonin 1d Receptor Agonists

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

Sources for this Sumatriptan page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Dec 9, 2025
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Sumatriptan.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Sumatriptan after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
57
Finished products in the current FDA directory
122
Companies listing them (makers, repackagers, distributors)
42
FDA labeler codes behind them ⓘ
46
Linked representative label ⓘ
GlaxoSmithKline LLC
Linked label effective
Dec 9, 2025
Composite sections available
21
Linked SPL Set ID
584abe73-8290-4484-ff8e-5890831c095e
Linked SPL Document ID
21c610c9-8ab7-4bc6-bb14-7d5faa26a0fc
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. GlaxoSmithKline LLC is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →