Imigran, as a treatment for migraines, comes in a variety of forms. Some are better than others at treating migraines quickly and effectively, but they all offer the same basic treatment. Still, you may want to know the advantages and disadvantages of using one method over another. So, we are going to look at the injection and tablet forms of the drug and compare them for you.
Taking the Tablets
The tablet form of Imigran, like all other forms, uses Sumatriptan as its active ingredient. If you are debating whether or not to use the tablet form, you should be aware that they take the longest amount of time to work. They will also come in the largest dose, so your body gets more of the drug over time. It simply isn’t introduced into the body as directly as other methods of taking Imigran.
The tablets come in 50mg and 100mg doses. It is best to start with the lower dose and increase the dose if and when necessary. The doctor may recommend a different approach, and you should follow the doctor’s advice. If you have taken the prescribed dosage of this medication in tablet form with no effect, likely, the medication will not work for you. It would be beneficial to get in touch with the doctor for advice on an alternative treatment. You should not take more than 300mg in 24 hours.
Taking the Injection
This drug form is meant to be injected just under the skin, usually along the arm or shoulder. A single 6mg injection is standard, and it is not recommended to exceed two 6mg injections in 24 hours.
The medication should work almost instantly. If it doesn’t help with your migraine, then you should not try to double up on your dosage. That isn’t likely to produce any further benefit to you.
You should never take the injection intravenously. This can cause severe side effects, and if you accidentally inject it into your veins, you should contact professional medical help immediately.
Side Effects and Warnings
The side effects, beyond intravenous injection, are basically the same for both forms of Imigran. You are not likely to be allowed to take this drug if you are over 65, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have a serious heart condition. If you have a medical condition for which you are receiving treatment, you do need to make the doctor aware of that. Imigran can have undesirable interactions with the medications you are using.
While it is not uncommon to experience some mild dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath or sleepiness, you should let the doctor know about these side effects. Some people who take the injection form feel a severe itching or experience rash as the site of the injection. If this occurs, contact the doctor immediately.
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