Sumatriptan Succinate

(soo ma TRIP tan)

What key warnings do I need to know about before giving this drug to my child?

• There is a chance of serotonin syndrome when using this drug with some drugs for low mood (depression) or weight loss. The syndrome is caused by too much serotonin in the body. Signs include agitation, changes in blood pressure, loose stools, a fast heartbeat, hallucinations, upset stomach and throwing up, change in balance, and change in thinking clearly and with logic. Talk with your doctor.
• Sometimes drugs are not safe when your child takes them with other drugs. They can cause bad side effects. This is one of those drugs. Be sure to talk to your child’s doctor about all the drugs your child takes.

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to sumatriptan or any other part of this drug.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• Not if your child has any of these health problems: Some types of migraine headaches, chest pain or pressure, heart disease, poor bowel blood flow, very bad liver disease, or very high blood pressure.
• Not if your child is using this drug to stop him/her from getting migraine headaches.
• Not if your child has taken almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, or zolmitriptan in the last 24 hours.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to treat headaches.

How does this drug work?

• Sumatriptan lowers swelling of blood vessels in the brain that cause the migraine.

How is this drug given?

• Oral:
• Have your child swallow tablet whole. Do not let your child chew, break, or crush.
• Give this drug with liquids as early as you can after the attack has started.
• There is a liquid if your child cannot swallow pills.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with this drug. If there is none, get an oral syringe, a dropper, a spoon, or a cup (only for older children) from your pharmacist.
• If your child's headache comes back after the first dose, 1 more dose may be taken 2 hours after the first one.
• Shot:
• The shot is given under the skin as early as it can be after the attack has started.
• Your child's doctor will teach you how to give the shot.
• If more than 1 shot is needed, space each shot by 1 hour.
• Wash hands before and after use.
• Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box and take the box back to your doctor when it is full.
• Intranasal:
• For the nose only.
• Spray a single dose in 1 nostril as early as you can after the attack has started.
• If your child's headache comes back after the first dose, 1 more dose may be taken 2 hours after the first one.

How long does this drug take to work?

• Your child may start feeling better soon after starting this drug.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• This drug is given on an as needed basis.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• If your child has liver disease, talk with the doctor.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• All products:
• Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals and good mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.
• Oral tablet/shot:
• Flushing. Dressing your child in layers of clothes or summer clothes and providing a cool place may help.
• Skin irritation.
• Intranasal:
• Bad taste in your mouth. This most often goes back to normal.
• Nose irritation.

What do I need to watch for when my child is using this drug?

• Change in the health problem being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• For unwanted side effects of this drug.
• Keep a diary of your child's headaches.
• Follow up with the doctor.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried, any of the unwanted side effects happen, or if your child is not better after taking this drug.
• If you think there was an overdose, call your local poison control center or ER right away.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child has chest pain or pressure, a fast heartbeat, or passes out.
• If your child has a change in thinking clearly and with logic.
• If your child has a change in balance.
• If your child is agitated, twitching, sweating, or has muscle stiffness.
• If your child is feeling very nervous and excitable.
• Change in strength on 1 side is greater than the other, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, or blurred eyesight.
• If your child has a very bad headache or headache is not better after the first dose.
• If your child has numbness or tingling in his/her hands or feet.
• If your child has a sudden change in eyesight, eye pain, or irritation.
• If your child has a very bad upset stomach or is throwing up.
• If your child has very bad belly pain or bloody loose stools.
• If your child is feeling very tired or weak.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from light.
• Protect tablets from water. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• You may get this drug by drug order only. If there are refills, call your pharmacy. If your child does not have refills left, you may need to call your child's doctor.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• Most drugs may be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Call your doctor for help with any side effects. If in the U.S., you may also call the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or if in Canada, you may also call Health Canada's Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

Copyright © 1978- Lexi-Comp Inc., The Children's Hospital, Denver, CO., and Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This information is protected under US and international copyright law. Unauthorized use or reproduction is prohibited.