I'm taking Imetrix at the onset of a CH. I had one at 12 noon, and I took a pill. I am starting to feel one coming on now and I'm debating on taking a pill, but if I do and I have another CH wake me up in the middle of the night I'll regret it.
The bottle says not to take more than 2 in a 24 hour period.
Does anybody here take 3 in a 24 hour period?

The absence of medical literature re. safety of sumatriptan is notable. This is the latest statement that I've found.
====
Funct Neurol. 2000 Jul-Sep;15(3):167-70.  


Sumatriptan overuse in episodic cluster headache: lack of adverse events, rebound syndromes, drug dependence and tachyphylaxis.

Centonze V, Bassi A, Causarano V, Dalfino L, Cassiano MA, Centonze A, Fabbri L, Albano O.

Dept of Internal Medicine and Public Medicine, University of Bari, Italy.

This observational study was designed to examine the pattern of sumatriptan use in patients with cluster headache using more than the recommended daily dose of subcutaneously injected (s.c.) sumatriptan. Thirteen patients suffering from episodic cluster headache were asked to record the characteristics of their attacks and drug intake for 1 year. All reported a high daily frequency of attacks (more than 3 per day) and the related overuse of s.c. sumatriptan. The results show that the overall incidence of adverse events among patients receiving sumatriptan injections for the treatment of cluster headache is low. The extended administration of this drug in episodic cluster headache did not result in tolerance problems or tachyphylaxis. Only 4 patients experienced minor adverse events and recovered more slowly than the others. They suffered from migraine without aura and cluster headache, and showed a family history of migraine. Even though they must be viewed with caution, due to the observational nature of the study and the low number of patients included, these results suggest that the profile of sumatriptan may differ in cluster headache compared with migraine.

PMID: 11062845  

Bob,

I can only share my own experience. Imitrex is truly great in that it can kill a hit, but I won't touch it anymore. After many years of being chronic, I KNOW that it causes ME to have more hits. I have used, abused and overused all of the Triptans at some point. Imitrex causes ME to have more hits than any of the others.

Hopefully, you will get a high flow regulator for your O2 before giving up, believing that "O2 doesn't work for you"

With very high flow O2 therapy for the day hits, you can save the Triptans to help get a good night's sleep.

I second asking the doctor to prescribe high flow rate O2. If you get to it fast enough it even stops most of the night time hits (for me anyway).

My experience with Imitrex tablets is that they do not work fast enough to be effective. In the 30-45 minutes it takes to dissolve and be absorbed, most of my attacks would be over anyway. I have had a little better results with the nasal spray and Maxalt MLT but still not good.

My last three cycles I have been able to get Imitrex injections in vials (instead of Statdoses). Both will kill an attack in about 6 minutes, but the 'imitrex tip' works better with the vials.

I'm getting my O2 today between 10 and 2. The reason I asked how many I could take was because I guess I'm a whimp. :P
I made it through the night without an attack, so I am hoping my O2 gets here before the next CH. I would like to just stop taking the pills. I don't like pills, and I don't want to be dependent on them.

FrankF wrote on Jun 26^th, 2009 at 12:05am:

My last three cycles I have been able to get Imitrex injections in vials (instead of Statdoses). Both will kill an attack in about 6 minutes, but the 'imitrex tip' works better with the vials.

How did you get it in vials?

How prevalent is this issue of Imitrex causing more hits? Does it prolong cycles?

Bob Greenwood wrote on Jun 26^th, 2009 at 6:11am:

I'm getting my O2 today between 10 and 2. The reason I asked how many I could take was because I guess I'm a whimp. :P I made it through the night without an attack, so I am hoping my O2 gets here before the next CH. I would like to just stop taking the pills. I don't like pills, and I don't want to be dependent on them.

I don't think there's really any addictive nature with Imitrex other than wanting to use it to stop pain - but you'll be addicted to oxygen in that respect. Well, you already are - you need it to live and all.

Definitely ditch the pills and see if you can get the injections or nasal spray. Works faster.