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        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Medications, Treatments, Therapies >> Imigran side effects?
        
(Message started by: red21625 on Sep 17^th, 2007, 6:41pm)

Title: Imigran side effects?
Post by red21625 on Sep 17^th, 2007, 6:41pm

Hi There

I was prescribed Imigran on Thursday last week, and used it for the first time today and within minutes it felt like my head was going to explode, my blood pressure went up as did my temperature, and my face and neck apparently were bright red. To say I felt nauseous was an understatement and I was all shaky and dizzy. I felt so ill I took myself off to A&E, fortunately I work in the hospital so didn't have far to go! Is this normal?

Strangely enough it took away the beast, but made me feel equally as bad if not worse. . The doctor said that I had experienced some of the side effects and suggested that I try it again, as long as I am not on my own and if it happens again not to use it. Obviously it scared the life out of me and I am reluctant to try it again. Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks

red

Title: Re: Imigran side effects?
Post by DennisM1045 on Sep 17^th, 2007, 7:30pm

Hi Red,

It kicks some serious beast butt but does have some side effects. My reaction is nothing like the one you describe but I do feel like crap for hours after. My BP spikes but I'm sure it is already up because of the CH anyway. I'm sure my face flushes and I do feel it in my throat and chest.

Your Dr offered you some good advice. Don't take it when you are alone. If it happens again, don't take it again. I have heard of one other person feeling like their head was gonna pop off.

Good luck...

-Dennis-

Title: Re: Imigran side effects?
Post by Bob_Johnson on Sep 18^th, 2007, 7:52am

Your reaction is the most dramatic I've read about but the overall safety record is quite good. Suggest you look at the "imitrex tip" button (left) and print it, and the following article, to discuss with your physician.
----------
Headache. 2005 Sep;45(8):1069-72.

Treatment of Cluster Headache Attacks With Less Than 6 mg Subcutaneous Sumatriptan.

Gregor N, Schlesiger C, Akova-Ozturk E, Kraemer C, Husstedt IW, Evers S.

Background.-Subcutaneous (SQ) sumatriptan 6 mg is effective in the treatment of acute cluster headache attacks. However, patients sometimes benefit from a dose less than 6 mg. Objective.-Therefore, we designed a prospective open study to evaluate how many patients benefit from a dose less than 6 mg SQ sumatriptan. Methods.-We enrolled 81 consecutive patients with cluster headache and recorded their use of SQ sumatriptan and oxygen. Patients regularly using SQ sumatriptan 6 mg were advised to treat attacks with doses less than 6 mg and with oxygen. Efficacy and side effects of the different treatment options (6 mg, 3 mg, 2 mg, and oxygen) were evaluated. Results.-As a result, 74% of the patients using SQ sumatriptan 3 mg showed efficacy and 89% reported efficacy after 2 mg. Seventy-nine percent reported side effects after the use of SQ sumatriptan 6 mg (29% severe side effects). After the use of 2 mg SQ sumatriptan, only 50% of the patients reported side effects, none of these were classified as severe. Patients' preference was 41% for 6 mg sumatriptan, 28% for doses less than 6 mg, and 31% for oxygen. Conclusions.-We conclude that sumatriptan in doses less than 6 mg can be effective in the acute treatment of cluster headache attacks. We suggest that patients should have experience in their individual efficacy of sumatriptan doses less than 6 mg. (Headache 2005;45:1069-1072).

PMID: 16109122

Title: Re: Imigran side effects?
Post by UN solved on Sep 18^th, 2007, 8:47am

Yes, what Bob said ;) It sounds like your dose was too big. Try a smaller dose next time and the side effects may disappear.

I use 4mg injections of Trex now because of the side effects I get when I use 6mg is too much.

Goodluck

UNsolved

Title: Re: Imigran side effects?
Post by southwalessunshine on Sep 18^th, 2007, 1:25pm

It may be a reaction but remember that it's your first dose of a very strong med. I've been on it for a few months now and a dose today wouldn't bring as severe a side effect as the first day which did frighten me a bit. My side effects still happen but I'm used to them now. I get raised blood pressure, and a horrible crushing pressure from my chest up to my cheekbones, it's like a strangling pressure. i go all distant and a bit floppy I guess. You get no sense out of me for about three quarters of an hour, then i kinda come round again but feel really delicate for the rest of the day. It's not a great feeling but sure as hell is better ythan battling the Beast.

Title: Re: Imigran side effects?
Post by red21625 on Sep 18^th, 2007, 6:01pm

Thanks everyone for your replies. I had to use it again today. And obviously was rather nervous about it, but forged ahead and did it! I did have the same experience again, but was preparead for it this time so it wasn't so frightening. At least I didn't end up in A&E this time!!

Another visit to discuss this with my doctor is in order. Its brilliant as it kills the beast very quickly, but I feel really rough for the next hour.

regards

red

Title: Re: Imigran side effects?
Post by Rosybabe on Sep 18^th, 2007, 8:23pm

Hi Red!

I also had a bad reaction the first time I took it, I felt like I was going to have a heart attack, chest pain like someone standing on it, I could not breath and my arms hurt really bad., I did not feel my hands.. I got very scared but I went to a smaller dosis and I did not feel so bad :)...

Hope you find the right dose for you cause Imigran is a very good abortive.

Pain free wishes for you!

Rosy.

Title: Re: Imigran side effects?
Post by The Image on Sep 22^nd, 2007, 10:14am

I'm on a sister drug to Imitriptan which is Naramig which the doctor says is specifically for CH wheras he says Imitriptan is for migraine.

Title: Re: Imigran side effects?
Post by mitsubishi on Sep 24^th, 2007, 6:32am

To avoid side effects of all triptans family, you must take a relax when you take triptans.
Triptan can be very danger if you take it and in the same time do a big effort, (heart ischemia)...
read triptans danger page;
www.alisultaneh.8m.com
and most important thing (dont listen to replays for my post)

Title: Re: Imigran side effects?
Post by mitsubishi on Sep 24^th, 2007, 6:39am

Title: Re: Imigran side effects?
Post by tommyD on Sep 24^th, 2007, 6:55am

It's ALI!

In case you're new around here, Mitsubishi is actually Ali, a quack troll trying to sell nonsense. Please ignore all posts by Ali or what ever he is calling himself this week. Do not visit his website. do not give him a second thought.

Title: Re: Imigran side effects?
Post by DennisM1045 on Sep 24^th, 2007, 7:14am

[smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif] Then why does he keep "replaying" them? [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif] [smiley=laugh.gif]

-Dennis-