Reviewed by Virginia Chachati MPharm
(2013, University College London)
GPhC Registration number: 2087654
Information last reviewed 07/07/2021
Imigran nasal spray contains sumatriptan, which is a medicine used to treat migraine headaches.
The active ingredient in Imigran nasal spray is a triptan called sumatriptan. This is a migraine-specific painkiller that works by making blood vessels in the brain narrower. During a migraine blood vessels dilate (widen), and by narrowing them it helps alleviate migraine symptoms.
It takes around 15 minutes for Imigran nasal spray to work.
Imigran nasal spray can alleviate migraine pain completely for 24 hours, but if symptoms do return you must leave at least 2 hours between doses. Do not use more than two 10 mg doses in 24 hours. If the spray has no effect, do not use another dose – try another type of painkiller instead and see your doctor.
Imigran nasal spray should only be used at the onset of a migraine headache. It cannot be used to treat ocular migraines (migraines involving vision loss), hemiplegic migraines (characterised by muscle weakness on one side of the body) or basilar migraines (a migraine with brainstem aura).
If over the counter painkillers do not help treat your migraines, Imigran nasal spray or other triptan medicines may be more effective. Imigran nasal spray is more effective than Imigran (sumatriptan) tablets.
Dose |
One spray into one nostril, at the onset of migraine |
Type of Medicine |
Triptan nasal spray |
Mechanism |
Forces blood vessels in the head to contract, preventing oedema and widening of these vessels thought to contribute towards migraine |
Available Size |
2 or 6 sprays |
Available Strengths |
10mg or 20mg |
Active Ingredient |
Sumatriptan |
Price |
From £8.83 per spray |
Side Effects |
Can include nausea, vomiting, nosebleeds, dizziness, tiredness, higher blood pressure, aching muscles, pressure, tightness or pain in the chest |
The active ingredient in Imigran Nasal Spray is Sumatriptan.
Other ingredients in Imigran nasal spray are potassium dihydrogen phosphate, dibasic sodium phosphate anhydrous, sulphuric acid, sodium hydroxide and purified water.
You should avoid using this medication if you are allergic to sumatriptan or have previously had an allergic reaction to sulfonamide antibiotics (eg. co-trimazole). Please stop using this nasal spray and get medical attention right away if you develop these symptoms: a rash, itching, trouble breathing, severe dizziness. Stop using the medication if you have these symptoms and let your doctor know as soon as possible.
Use Imigran nasal spray as soon as you feel a migraine starting. Blow your nose first if you need to. Remove the spray out of its blister packet, and put the nozzle into one nostril as far as is comfortable, while blocking your other nostril with a finger. As you breathe in, press the plunger to spray the medicine into your nostril. Stay upright and breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth for a few seconds after application, to make sure the spray remains inside your nose.
Imigran Nasal Spray is available in either 10mg or 20mg doses. 20mg is the usual recommended dose for adults, but 10mg may be effective for some people. Adolescents aged between 12 and 17 should use a 10mg dose.
Some people may experience side effects when using Imigran nasal spray.
It’s common to experience an unpleasant taste in the mouth, but this passes quickly.
Other common side effects may include:
In very rare cases, Imigran nasal spray may cause changes to liver function. Always inform your doctor or nurse that you are taking Imigran nasal spray if you are having a blood test to check your liver function.
People using Imigran nasal spray frequently may develop ‘overuse headaches’. If you feel this is happening to you, talk to your doctor.
Imigran nasal spray is not suitable for everyone. You should not use Imigran nasal spray if:
Remember that Imigran nasal spray is designed to treat a migraine headache. Imigran nasal spray cannot be used to prevent migraines, or to treat other types of headache.
There are certain medicines and remedies that should not be taken with Imigran nasal spray. These include:
Your migraine, or using Imigran nasal spray, may make you feel drowsy. Therefore, you should avoid driving whilst taking Imigran nasal spray.
Speak to your doctor about using Imigran nasal spray if you are pregnant. Breastfeeding women should wait 12 hours after a dose of Imigran nasal spray before feeding their baby
Alcohol is a migraine trigger for some people, and could make your migraine feel worse. You should avoid drinking alcohol whilst using Imigran nasal spray.
Imigran nasal spray should not be used alongside other migraine medicines. However, you can use Imigran nasal spray at the same time as painkillers such as paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen if they are suitable for you.
For those who want to use sumatriptan to alleviate migraine symptoms, alternatives to Imigran nasal spray are Imigran tablets, sumatriptan tablets (Migraitan) or a sumatriptan injection.
Other triptan-based medicines are also available. These include zolmitriptan and rizatriptan (Maxalt).
Alternatives to triptans include over the counter painkillers like paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen. There are also antiemetics like Buccastem. Some migraine medicines combine a painkiller and an antiemetic in one tablet.
Lifestyle changes can help reduce how often you get migraines. These include getting more sleep, avoiding certain foods or drinks, and steering clear of triggering environments such as bright lights. Keeping a diary can help you identify what triggers your migraines.
To treat a migraine, you can take sumatriptan as a nasal spray or a tablet. Imigran nasal spray and Imigran tablets are branded versions of sumatriptan. Imigran nasal spray can work faster than Imigran tablets.
Imigran nasal spray is not a general headache treatment. Its active ingredient, sumatriptan, works only to treat a migraine headache. When used to treat a migraine, Imigran nasal spray can help relieve symptoms other than headache, including nausea, vomiting and light sensitivity.
Imigran nasal spray helps relieve the pain caused by migraines. You cannot use Imigran nasal spray to treat other types of pain.
Imigran nasal spray is a medicine that treats the symptoms of a migraine rather than preventing them. You cannot use Imigran nasal spray to prevent migraine and it is not a cure for migraines.
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