Sumatriptan Dosing for Migraine Treatment

Dosing Options by Route of Administration

• The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends a subcutaneous dose of 6 mg, which can be repeated after one hour, with a maximum daily dose of 12 mg per 24 hours 1, 2
• The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends an intranasal dose of 5-10 mg, which can be repeated after 2 hours, with a maximum daily dose of 40 mg per day 1, 2

Special Dosing Considerations

• Patients should try a medication for 2-3 headache episodes before abandoning that line of therapy, as recommended by the American Academy of Family Physicians and Praxis Medical Insights 1, 3

Important Contraindications

• The American Academy of Family Physicians advises against the use of sumatriptan with ergotamine, MAOIs, or within 24 hours of another triptan, due to potential adverse interactions 1, 2
• The American Academy of Family Physicians also advises against the use of sumatriptan in patients with hemiplegic or basilar migraine, pregnancy, impaired hepatic function, or coronary artery disease, due to potential increased risk of adverse effects 1, 2

Common Adverse Effects

• Subcutaneous administration of sumatriptan can cause injection site reactions in approximately 30% of patients, as well as chest pressure and heaviness, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians 1