Migraine Tablets & Treatment Online UK

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Sumatriptan

£13.99 - £44.99

What is the difference between Imigran and Sumatriptan? Imigran and Sumatriptan are chemically th..

A migraine is more than a bad headache. It's a throbbing, often one-sided pain that can come with nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and visual disturbance, and it can last anywhere from a few hours to three days. Migraine tablets work best when they're taken early, so having the right treatment to hand makes a real difference. At MedsRus you can request sumatriptan tablets through a short online consultation. A UK-registered prescriber reviews every request, and your treatment is dispensed by our registered pharmacy and delivered discreetly.

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What is a migraine?

Migraine is a common neurological condition. The NHS estimates it affects around 1 in 5 women and 1 in 15 men, and it usually starts in early adulthood. Attacks typically bring:

a moderate or severe throbbing headache, often on one side of the head, that gets worse when you move;
nausea or vomiting;
sensitivity to light, sound or smells;
tiredness, yawning or difficulty concentrating before or after the headache.

Migraine with aura and without aura

About a third of people with migraine get an aura: warning signs that usually last 5 to 60 minutes before the headache begins. These include flashing lights, zigzag lines or blind spots, tingling or numbness that spreads, or difficulty speaking. Some people get the aura with little or no headache. Migraine without aura is the most common type: the headache comes without these warning signs.

How long does a migraine last?

Most attacks last between 4 hours and 3 days if untreated. You may feel drained for a day or so afterwards (the "migraine hangover"). An attack lasting longer than 72 hours needs medical advice.

How do migraine tablets work?

Migraine treatments fall into three groups. Many people end up combining them.

1. Painkillers. Paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin, taken as soon as symptoms start, can be enough for milder attacks. Soluble forms work faster. Aspirin isn't suitable for under-16s.

2. Triptans. Triptans such as sumatriptan are medicines made specifically for migraine. They act on serotonin (5-HT1) receptors around blood vessels and nerves in the head. This narrows the blood vessels that widen during an attack and calms the pain signals. Unlike ordinary painkillers, triptans also tend to ease the nausea and the sensitivity to light and sound. They don't prevent migraines; they treat an attack once it starts.

3. Anti-sickness medicines. If nausea is a big part of your attacks, a prescriber may add an anti-sickness medicine. This also helps the other tablets get absorbed.

Which treatment for which attack?

Your attacks	What usually helps	Where to get it
Mild, occasional headaches	Paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin at the first sign	Supermarket or pharmacy; see our pain relief treatments
Moderate to severe, or painkillers aren't enough	A triptan such as sumatriptan, sometimes with ibuprofen or naproxen	Prescription; available through a MedsRus consultation
Heavy nausea or vomiting	A triptan plus an anti-sickness medicine	Prescription (GP or pharmacy prescriber)
4 or more migraine days a month, or attacks that stop you working	Preventive treatment, plus a plan for acute attacks	Your GP

If one triptan doesn't work for you after trying it for three attacks, a different triptan may. They don't all suit everyone, so tell your prescriber what you've already tried.

How to take sumatriptan for migraine

When to take it

Take your first tablet as soon as the headache starts. It works best early in the attack. If you get an aura, wait until the headache begins: taking a triptan during the aura doesn't stop the headache coming.

The dose

The usual dose is one 50mg tablet, swallowed whole with water. Some people need 100mg, and your prescriber will advise which strength suits you.
If the tablet works but the migraine comes back, you can take a second dose, at least 2 hours after the first.
If the first dose doesn't help, don't take a second dose for the same attack. Use a painkiller instead, and talk to your prescriber before the next attack.
Don't take more than 300mg in 24 hours.

Avoid medication-overuse headache

Taking acute migraine treatment too often can make headaches more frequent. The UK clinical guidance (NICE) warns against using triptans on 10 or more days a month, or simple painkillers on 15 or more days a month. If you're close to those limits, ask your GP about prevention.

Sumatriptan side effects

Most side effects are mild and short-lived. Common ones include:

tingling, warmth, heaviness or pressure in any part of the body, including the chest or throat;
flushing;
dizziness, drowsiness or feeling weak;
nausea or vomiting;
a short-lived rise in blood pressure.

Stop taking it and call 999 if you have chest pain that is severe or doesn't go away, signs of a serious allergic reaction (swelling of the lips, mouth or throat, or difficulty breathing), or sudden weakness, numbness or slurred speech. The full list is in the patient leaflet that comes with your tablets.

Who shouldn't take sumatriptan?

Sumatriptan isn't suitable for everyone. Your consultation checks for these, so please answer honestly. Don't take it if you have:

heart disease, angina, or have had a heart attack;
had a stroke or mini-stroke (TIA);
high blood pressure that isn't controlled;
poor circulation in your legs (peripheral vascular disease);
severe liver problems;
taken ergotamine, or another triptan, in the last 24 hours, or an MAOI antidepressant in the last 2 weeks.

Sumatriptan is licensed for adults aged 18 to 65. Your prescriber will take extra care if you take an SSRI or SNRI antidepressant or St John's wort, have epilepsy, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Migraine and the contraceptive pill

If you have migraine with aura, combined contraceptive pills containing oestrogen are not recommended, because they increase the risk of stroke. Progestogen-only options such as desogestrel are usually suitable. Our guide to choosing the right contraceptive pill explains the options. Tell your prescriber if your migraines start or change after starting a pill.

Menstrual migraine

Many women notice attacks around their period, when oestrogen levels fall. Keep a diary for two or three cycles: if your attacks follow a pattern, your GP can discuss short-term preventive options. If you get cramps as well, see our period pain treatments.

Preventing migraines

Know your triggers

Common triggers include:

stress, and the "let-down" period afterwards;
poor or irregular sleep;
skipping meals and dehydration;
alcohol, and too much (or suddenly stopping) caffeine;
hormonal changes;
bright or flickering lights.

A migraine diary records when attacks start, what you'd eaten, how you slept and what you took. It's the quickest way to spot a pattern, and it's what your GP will ask for. If tiredness is a factor, our article on why you might wake up tired has practical sleep tips.

Lifestyle steps that help

Regular meals, drinking enough water, a consistent sleep routine and regular exercise all reduce attacks for many people. Relaxation techniques and limiting screen glare can help too.

Preventive medicines

If you get frequent or disabling attacks, your GP can prescribe a daily preventive such as propranolol, amitriptyline or topiramate, or refer you for newer treatments. Preventives are started and monitored by your GP rather than through an online consultation, but you can still use sumatriptan for breakthrough attacks if it's suitable for you.

When to get urgent help

Most headaches aren't dangerous, but call 999 or go to A&E if a headache:

comes on suddenly and is extremely painful ("the worst headache of my life");
comes with weakness or numbness on one side, a drooping face, or slurred speech;
comes with a high temperature, a stiff neck, a rash or confusion;
follows a head injury.

See your GP if your migraines are getting more frequent, your pattern changes, or you're over 50 and getting migraines for the first time. Unusual stabbing headaches can have other causes: our guide to ice pick headaches explains when to worry.

How to order migraine tablets from MedsRus

Complete a short consultation about your migraines, health and other medicines. It takes about 5 minutes.
A UK prescriber reviews it. If sumatriptan is suitable, they issue a prescription. If it isn't, we'll explain why and suggest what to do next.
Our registered pharmacy dispenses your tablets and sends them in plain, discreet packaging.

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Migraine FAQs

How long do migraines last?

Usually between 4 hours and 3 days without treatment. Treating early often shortens the attack. Seek medical advice if one lasts longer than 72 hours.

What's the fastest way to get rid of a migraine?

Take your treatment as soon as the headache starts, then rest in a quiet, dark room and sip water. For many people a triptan such as sumatriptan works within 30 to 60 minutes.

What does a migraine feel like?

A throbbing or pulsing pain, often on one side, that gets worse with movement. It often comes with nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Some people see flashing lights or zigzags first (aura).

Can you buy sumatriptan over the counter?

Pharmacies can sell small packs of sumatriptan 50mg to adults aged 18 to 65 after a pharmacist check. Larger packs and the 100mg strength need a prescription. Through MedsRus, a prescriber reviews your consultation first.

Can I take ibuprofen with sumatriptan?

Yes. Taking a triptan with an anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen or naproxen is a common and effective combination for many people. Check with your prescriber or pharmacist first if you have stomach, kidney or heart problems.

Can I take a second sumatriptan tablet?

Only if the first one worked and the migraine came back. Leave at least 2 hours between doses, and don't take more than 300mg in 24 hours. If the first dose didn't help, a second won't help that attack.

Is migraine dangerous?

Migraine itself isn't usually dangerous, but it can be disabling. Migraine with aura is linked to a slightly higher risk of stroke, which is why it matters for some contraceptive pills. Any sudden, severe or "different" headache needs urgent help.

Can stress cause migraines?

Yes. Stress is one of the most common triggers, and so is the relaxation after a stressful period, for example at weekends. Regular sleep, meals and exercise can help.

Can a migraine last a week?

Rarely. An attack lasting more than 72 hours is called status migrainosus and needs medical advice. Don't keep taking extra doses.

What's the difference between sumatriptan and Imigran?

Imigran is the brand name; sumatriptan is the generic medicine. They contain the same active ingredient at the same strength and work in the same way.

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