SUMACTA 100MG – SUMATRIPTAN

Description

WHAT SUMATRIPTAN IS AND WHAT IT IS USED FOR
What your tablets contain: Each Sumatriptan 50mg Tablet contains 50 mg of the active ingredient sumatriptan (as the succinate). Each Sumatriptan 100mg Tablet contains 100 mg of the active ingredient sumatriptan (as the succinate). The other ingredients are: lactose, microcrystalline cellulose. croscarmellose sodium, acesulfame potassium, magnesium stearate and colloidal silicon anhydrous.  Sumatriptan is a medicine developed for the treatment of migraine. The symptoms of migraine may be due to temporary swelling of blood vessels in the head. Medicines like Sumatriptan Tablets are believed to work by reducing the size of these blood vessels. These medicines are called 5HT1 receptor agonists.

BEFORE YOU TAKE SUMATRIPTAN TABLETS
Do not take Sumatriptan Tablets if: You are hypersensitive (allergic) to sumatriptan, any of the other ingredients in Sumatriptan Tablets or to medicines called sulphonamides; You suffer from unexpected shortness of breath, or from pain or tightness in the chest (which may or may not spread to your jaw or upper arms); You have any of the following medical conditions: heart disease such as heart failure, angina or coronary thrombosis (heart attack), high blood pressure, disease of the liver or kidneys, epilepsy or brain disease; You are a man over 40 years of age or postmenopausal women; in this case you should consult your doctor, as there are high risk factors for ischaemic heart disease in this age group. You have any risk factors for heart disease such as family history of heart disease; sugar diabetes; high blood cholesterol; if you are a regular cigarette smoker or if you are very overweight; You have had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Even so your doctor may still want you to take them and will advise you about taking the medicine. There is little experience with sumatriptan tablets in children under 18 years of age or those over 65 years of age so it is not usually prescribed for these age groups.

Pregnancy:
If you are pregnant, likely to become pregnant, or have stopped having periods altogether, ask you doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.

Breast-feeding: If you are breast-feeding, ask you doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.

riving and using machines: Sumatriptan Tablets may cause drowsiness; if you are affected, do not drive or operate any tools or machines.

Important information about some of the ingredients of Sumatriptan Tablets: This medicine contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.

Taking other medicines:
Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any of the following medicines, even those not prescribed: SUMATRIPTAN 50MG TABLETS SUMATRIPTAN 100MG TABLETS (sumatriptan succinate) any medicines for your migraine which contain ergotamine or ergotamine derivatives, such as ergotamine tartrate or methysergide maleate (if so, you should stop taking them at least 24 hours before taking Sumatriptan Tablets); any medicines for the treatment of depression such as lithium, Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) or Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s) (including citalopram, fluvoxamine, paroxetine and sertraline), or if you have taken an MAOI in the last 2 weeks; any medicines to help you lose weight, or for the treatment of epilepsy; anything containing the herbal remedy St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum). Taking this together with Sumatriptan Tablets may increase the likelihood of you suffering side effects.

HOW TO TAKE SUMATRIPTAN TABLETS
Always take Sumatriptan Tablets exactly as your doctor has instructed you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure. The usual dose of Sumatriptan 50mg Tablets is one tablet at the first sign of a migraine attack. (Some patients may need to take a dose of two Sumatriptan 50mg Tablets, you should follow your doctor’s instruction). The usual dose of Sumatriptan 100mg Tablets is one tablet which should be taken at the first sign of a migraine attack. Sumatriptan Tablets will still be effective if taken at a later stage. If you have the impression that the effect of Sumatriptan Tablets is too strong or too weak, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. If the first dose does not make your migraine better do not take any more tablets for this attack because it is unlikely that a second dose will work. Sumatriptan Tablets can be used for your next attack. If, after your first dose, your migraine goes away but then returns you may take another tablet, provided it is at least two hours since you took the first tablet. DO NOT TAKE MORE THAN SIX tablets of 50 mg or THREE tablets of 100 mg in any 24-hour period that is 300 mg in total. Swallow each tablet whole with water. Do not chew or crush them. If the tablets do not ease your migraine, then you may take your usual ‘pain killers’, provided they do not contain ergotamine or its derivatives. Wait at least six hours after taking Sumatriptan Tablets before taking any medicines containing ergotamine or its derivatives. If you take more Sumatriptan Tablets than you should: It is important to keep to the dose on the label or follow the instructions above. Taking more than this could make you ill. If an overdose is taken, DO NOT DELAY, ask your doctor what to do or contact your nearest emergency center.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Most people taking this medicine find it causes no problems, however a few people may find that they have side effects. Rare: Check with your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: sudden wheeziness, fluttering or tightness in the chest; swelling of eyelids, face or lips; a skin rash such as red spots or hives (skin lumps); fits- usually in people with a history of epilepsy; visual disturbances (although these may occur due to the migraine attack itself). THESE SYMPTOMS MAY MEAN THAT YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO SUMATRIPTAN TABLETS. Do NOT take any more of the tablets unless your doctor tells you to do so. There have also been rare reports of the following: Raynaud’s phenomenon, which is a disease characterized by signs of paleness or a blue tinge to the skin and/or pain of the fingers, toes, ears, nose or jaw in response to cold or stress; Inflammation of the colon (part of the intestine), which may present as lower left-sided tummy pain and bloody diarrhea. If you experience any of these symptoms while taking Sumatriptan Tablets, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Uncommon: Some people may experience the following symptoms, however they are not usually troublesome. They may be intense but do not last long. Feelings of tingling, warmth, heaviness, pressure, tightness or sometimes pain in different parts of the body, including the chest or throat; although sometimes very strong, they usually only last a few minutes. If they continue or are particularly severe (especially chest pain), tell your doctor immediately as there have been extremely rare reports of such problems being caused by a heart attack. Do NOT take any more tablets; your doctor will decide if you should stop using them; Dizziness, feeling of weakness or flushing; Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting), although this is often part of the migraine attack; Tiredness or sleepiness (important if you are driving or working a machine). Other side effects include changes in blood pressure and heart rate. If you have a blood test to check your liver function, Sumatriptan Tablets may affect your results. If you feel unwell or have any other unusual discomfort you do not understand, it is important to tell your doctor as soon as possible. If you notice any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.

STORING SUMATRIPTAN TABLETS
Keep out of the reach and sight of children. This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the label.