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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Imitrex Dosage?
        
(Message started by: Ladybug314 on Aug 6^th, 2006, 6:47pm)

Title: Imitrex Dosage?
Post by Ladybug314 on Aug 6^th, 2006, 6:47pm

[smiley=hiya.gif]Gang,

I finally had my Internal Dr, (who will give me all the Imitrex I want) TY ;;D. The Neuro I went to only prescribed me 9 pills and said this is all you can have for a month. What is the amount that people take and did your MD give any info on side effects if taken more that 2 pills a day.
I've been getting [smiley=hammer.gif]'d 3x(+) a day.

Thanks

Title: Re: Imitrex Dosage?
Post by Karla on Aug 6^th, 2006, 8:21pm

I don't know to much about the pill. Usually no one takes the pill form because it can take a half hr to one full hour to work and make the pain stop. I use imitrex nasal spray. In 6-12 min it kicks in and the pain is gone! shots are just as fast if not faster than the ns. I just don't like needles.

I use 20mg nasal spray at a time. I have used up to 4 daily with no problem. They also make it in 10mg form. If I use those which seem to work just as good as the 20mg I can use it 8x day. The key is not to exceed 80mg a day.

I think you can split the shot into 2mg shots and take at least 3 if not 6 shots a day. Not to exceed 12 mg a day.

Do not take imitrex within 24 hrs of another triptan such as zomig, axert, frova, amerge, maxalt etc or migranol or dhe etc. Side effects from mixing can cause a heart attach to say the least!! Some side effects from just using imitrex as perscribed can be rebound ha, pain in the chest and shortness of breath. Not sure of other side effects.

Title: Re: Imitrex Dosage?
Post by Ladybug314 on Aug 6^th, 2006, 8:49pm

Thanks!!!

I usually know when I am going to get a big one so I take it on the first sign.. I think I may switch over to injections.. It seem s that is the most used.
Again Thanks

Title: Re: Imitrex Dosage?
Post by brewcrew on Aug 6^th, 2006, 9:12pm

on 08/06/06 at 20:21:36, Karla wrote:

Side effects from mixing can cause a heart attach to say the least!!

I know - I hate it when my heart attaches to anything. It makes it so difficult to say goodbye.

I'm just givin' ya the business, Karla! Hope things are going well. May you have PFDAN.

Bill

Title: Re: Imitrex Dosage?
Post by Charlotte on Aug 6^th, 2006, 9:43pm

Did your neuro say why only 9 a month, or the internal dr say why more is ok?

Charlotte

Title: Re: Imitrex Dosage?
Post by brewcrew on Aug 6^th, 2006, 10:12pm

Not sure if there might be a connection, but my insurance will now only cover 9 doses of any triptan per month. Could be that's why he wrote it that way.

My neuro is so cool that he gives me samples to make up the difference. At one time, before the insurance nazis took over, he wrote me a script for 2 Amerge per day for a month, and my insurance company covered it. I think the retail price on that much Amerge is around $1,200.

Title: Re: Imitrex Dosage?
Post by TimJohnson on Aug 6^th, 2006, 10:50pm

I can get nine tablets as well as 4 doses of the injections per month. I also have O2. You can appeal to the insurance company. I have found that the MDs like to blame the insurance company and the insurance company likes to blame the MD. You may also want to try the formulary that the insurance company uses. They may also authorize you more refills.

Title: Re: Imitrex Dosage?
Post by Anne_L. on Aug 14^th, 2006, 9:29pm

OK, I was on vacation with only so much Imitrex left so I used only 1/4 of a vial. And it worked three times so far.
I am episodic and have been going 2 years or so in between. I always hope that means they are done with me (I am sure done with them). I also use oxygen but it didn't seem to do the trick last time; the imitrex is so easy and so fast for me. I have it on hand always for migraines and I like to stockpile it and buy it whenever my insurance will pay again. [smiley=laugh.gif]
Because the thought of not having it around for clusters is unbearable.