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IMITREX

sumatriptan · Injection

Prescription NDA TE AB RLD Official labelling
Informational index, not medical advice. Content is reproduced from public FDA and NLM data. Always confirm against the manufacturer's current prescribing information. Report adverse events to FDA MedWatch.

Overview

Brand name
IMITREX
Generic name
sumatriptan
Dosage form
Injection
Route
Subcutaneous
Marketing category
NDA · NDA
Labeler
GlaxoSmithKline LLC
Product type
Human Prescription Drug
DEA schedule
Not scheduled
Active ingredients
2
NDC product codes
3
Packages
4
Data completeness
77% of corroborating sources present

Active ingredients

Source: NDC Directory
Active ingredients and strengths as listed in the NDC Directory.
Ingredient Strength RxCUI Monograph
Sumatriptan Succinate 4 mg/.5mL 849450 View
Sumatriptan Succinate 6 mg/.5mL 849450 View

Forms, strengths and routes

Source: NDC Directory
Dosage form
Injection
Route of administration
Subcutaneous
Presentations
7

Pharmacologic classes are listed in the class section below.

Pharmacologic class

Source: NDC Directory
Established pharmacologic classes (EPC), mechanisms of action (MoA), chemical structures (CS) and physiologic effects (PE).
Class Type Browse
Serotonin 1b Receptor Agonists [MoA] MoA All 34 members
Serotonin 1d Receptor Agonists [MoA] MoA All 34 members
Serotonin-1b and Serotonin-1d Receptor Agonist [EPC] EPC All 34 members

Regulatory status

Source: Drugs@FDANDC Directory
Application number
020080
Application type
NDA · New Drug Application
Approval date
December 28, 1992
Sponsor
GLAXOSMITHKLINE
Products on application
3
Submissions recorded
31
Products approved under application 020080.
Product Trade name Form Strength Ingredient Status TE Flags
020080-001 IMITREX INJECTABLE SUMATRIPTAN SUCCINATE Discontinued AP RLD
020080-002 IMITREX STATDOSE (AUTOINJECTOR) INJECTABLE SUMATRIPTAN SUCCINATE Prescription AB RLD RS
020080-003 IMITREX STATDOSE (AUTOINJECTOR) INJECTABLE SUMATRIPTAN SUCCINATE Prescription AB RLD RS

Therapeutic equivalence

Source: Orange Book
TE code
AB
Reference Listed Drug
Yes
Reference Standard
Yes

What this rating means: Therapeutically equivalent — bioequivalence demonstrated by in vivo or in vitro testing

Codes beginning with “A” indicate products the FDA considers therapeutically equivalent. Codes beginning with “B” indicate bioequivalence has not been established. See methodology.

Approval history

Source: Drugs@FDA
Most recent submissions on application 020080.
Type No. Action Status Date Review
Supplement 55 Labeling Approved December 9, 2025 Standard
Supplement 54 Labeling Approved December 20, 2021 Standard
Supplement 53 Labeling Approved March 23, 2021 Standard
Supplement 52 Labeling Approved July 17, 2018 Standard
Supplement 50 Labeling Approved December 14, 2017 Standard
Supplement 49 Labeling Approved November 19, 2015 Standard
Supplement 48 Labeling Approved June 11, 2015 Standard
Supplement 45 Labeling Approved October 2, 2012 Unknown
Supplement 41 Labeling Approved October 2, 2012 Standard
Supplement 40 Labeling Approved October 2, 2012 Standard
Supplement 39 Labeling Approved October 2, 2012 Standard
Supplement 38 Labeling Approved July 21, 2010 Standard
Supplement 36 Efficacy Approved February 1, 2006 Unknown
Supplement 30 Labeling Approved July 28, 2003 Standard
Supplement 29 Labeling Approved January 3, 2003 Standard
Supplement 27 Labeling Approved February 2, 2001 Standard
Supplement 26 Labeling Approved February 2, 2001 Standard
Supplement 25 Labeling Approved February 2, 2001 Standard
Supplement 24 Labeling Approved February 2, 2001 Standard
Supplement 21 Labeling Approved February 2, 2001 Standard
Supplement 22 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved December 16, 1997 Priority
Supplement 23 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved November 26, 1997 Priority
Supplement 5 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved December 23, 1996 Priority
Supplement 4 Efficacy Approved May 22, 1996 Unknown
Supplement 20 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved March 28, 1996 Priority
Supplement 18 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved November 29, 1995 Priority
Supplement 17 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved October 5, 1995 Priority
Supplement 14 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved June 7, 1995 Priority
Supplement 3 Labeling Approved August 17, 1994 Standard
Supplement 2 Manufacturing (CMC) Approved September 30, 1993 Priority
Original application 1 Type 1 - New Molecular Entity Approved December 28, 1992 Priority

Review documents

  • 0 · Supplement · December 17, 2025
  • 0 · Supplement · December 10, 2025
  • 0 · Supplement · December 21, 2021
  • 0 · Supplement · December 21, 2021
  • 0 · Supplement · May 25, 2021
  • 0 · Supplement · March 24, 2021
  • 0 · Supplement · July 23, 2018
  • 0 · Supplement · July 19, 2018
  • 0 · Supplement · December 15, 2017
  • 0 · Supplement · December 15, 2017
  • 0 · Supplement · November 25, 2015
  • 0 · Supplement · November 20, 2015
  • 0 · Supplement · June 12, 2015
  • 0 · Supplement · June 12, 2015
  • 0 · Supplement · October 4, 2012
  • 0 · Supplement · October 4, 2012
  • 0 · Supplement · October 4, 2012
  • 0 · Supplement · October 4, 2012
  • 0 · Supplement · October 4, 2012
  • 0 · Supplement · October 4, 2012
  • 0 · Supplement · October 4, 2012
  • 0 · Supplement · October 4, 2012
  • 0 · Supplement · July 31, 2010
  • 0 · Supplement · July 28, 2010
  • 0 · Supplement · July 24, 2007
  • 0 · Original application · January 17, 2007
  • 0 · Supplement · February 8, 2006
  • 0 · Supplement · February 7, 2006
  • 0 · Supplement · June 7, 2004
  • 0 · Supplement · August 15, 2003

Prescribing information

Source: openFDA Drug Labeling

Reproduced verbatim from the Structured Product Labeling submitted to the FDA (effective 20251209). This is the manufacturer's labelling text, not a summary and not advice.

HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG · 20251209

Indications and Usage

openFDA Drug Labeling

1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE IMITREX injection is indicated in adults for (1) the acute treatment of migraine, with or without aura, and (2) the acute treatment of cluster headache. Limitations of Use • Use only if a clear diagnosis of migraine or cluster headache has been established. If a patient has no response to the first migraine or cluster headache attack treated with IMITREX injection, reconsider the diagnosis before IMITREX injection is administered to treat any subsequent attacks. • IMITREX injection is not indicated for the prevention of migraine or cluster headache attacks. IMITREX injection is a serotonin (5-HT 1B/1D ) receptor agonist (triptan) indicated for: • Acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults. ( 1 ) • Acute treatment of cluster headache in adults. ( 1 ) Limitations of Use • Use only if a clear diagnosis of migraine or cluster headache has been established. ( 1 ) • Not indicated for the prophylactic therapy of migraine or cluster headache attacks. ( 1 )

Dosage and Administration

openFDA Drug Labeling

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • For subcutaneous use only. ( 2.1 ) • Acute treatment of migraine: single dose of 4 mg or 6 mg. ( 2.1 ) • Acute treatment of cluster headache: single dose of 6 mg. ( 2.1 ) • Maximum dose in a 24-hour period: 12 mg, separate doses by at least 1 hour. ( 2.1 ) • The needle shield of the prefilled syringe contains dry natural rubber (a latex derivative) which may cause allergic reactions in latex-sensitive patients. ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Dosing Information The maximum single recommended adult dose of IMITREX injection for the acute treatment of migraine or cluster headache is 6 mg injected subcutaneously. For the treatment of migraine, if side effects are dose limiting, the lower dose of 4 mg may be used [see Clinical Studies ( 14.1 )] . For the treatment of cluster headache, the efficacy of lower doses has not been established. The maximum cumulative dose that may be given in 24 hours is 12 mg, two 6-mg injections separated by at least 1 hour. A second 6-mg dose should only be considered if some response to a first injection was observed. 2.2 Administration Using the IMITREX STATdose Pen An autoinjector device (IMITREX STATdose Pen) is available for use with 4-mg and 6-mg prefilled syringe cartridges. With this device, the needle penetrates approximately 1/4 inch (5 to 6 mm). The injection is intended to be given subcutaneously, and intramuscular or intravascular delivery must be avoided. Instruct patients on the proper use of IMITREX STATdose Pen and direct them to use injection sites with an adequate skin and subcutaneous thickness to accommodate the length of the needle. The needle shield of the prefilled syringe contains dry natural rubber (a latex derivative) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] .

Dosage Forms and Strengths

openFDA Drug Labeling

3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Injection: 4-mg and 6-mg single-dose prefilled syringe cartridges for use with the IMITREX STATdose Pen. Each 0.5 mL injection contains 5.6 mg or 8.4 mg of sumatriptan succinate equivalent to 4 mg or 6 mg of sumatriptan, respectively. Injection: 4- and 6-mg single-dose prefilled syringe cartridges for use with IMITREX STATdose Pen. ( 3 )

Contraindications

openFDA Drug Labeling

4 CONTRAINDICATIONS IMITREX injection is contraindicated in patients with: • Ischemic coronary artery disease (CAD) (angina pectoris, history of myocardial infarction, or documented silent ischemia) or coronary artery vasospasm, including Prinzmetal’s angina [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . • Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or arrhythmias associated with other cardiac accessory conduction pathway disorders [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )]. • History of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) or history of hemiplegic or basilar migraine because these patients are at a higher risk of stroke [s ee Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] . • Peripheral vascular disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] . • Ischemic bowel disease [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] . • Uncontrolled hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] . • Recent use (i.e., within 24 hours) of ergotamine-containing medication, ergot-type medication (such as dihydroergotamine or methysergide), or another 5-hydroxytryptamine 1 (5-HT 1 ) agonist [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 , 7.3 )] . • Concurrent administration of a monoamine oxidase (MAO)-A inhibitor or recent (within 2 weeks) use of an MAO-A inhibitor [see Drug Interactions ( 7.2 ), Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )]. • Hypersensitivity to IMITREX (angioedema and anaphylaxis seen) [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] . • Severe hepatic impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . • History of coronary artery disease or coronary artery vasospasm. ( 4 ) • Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or other cardiac accessory conduction pathway disorders. ( 4 ) • History of stroke, transient ischemic attack, or hemiplegic or basilar migraine. ( 4 ) • Peripheral vascular disease. ( 4 ) • Ischemic bowel disease. ( 4 ) • Uncontrolled hypertension. ( 4 ) • Recent (within 24 hours) use of another 5-HT 1 agonist (e.g., another triptan) or of an ergotamine-containing medication. ( 4 ) • Concurrent or recent (past 2 weeks) use of monoamine oxidase-A inhibitor. ( 4 ) • Hypersensitivity to IMITREX (angioedema and anaphylaxis seen). ( 4 ) • Severe hepatic impairment. ( 4 )

Warnings and Cautions

openFDA Drug Labeling

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS • Myocardial ischemia/infarction and Prinzmetal’s angina: Perform cardiac evaluation in patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. ( 5.1 ) • Arrhythmias: Discontinue IMITREX if occurs. ( 5.2 ) • Chest/throat/neck/jaw pain, tightness, pressure, or heaviness: Generally not associated with myocardial ischemia; evaluate for coronary artery disease in patients at high risk. ( 5.3 ) • Cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and stroke: Discontinue IMITREX if occurs. ( 5.4 ) • Gastrointestinal ischemic reactions and peripheral vasospastic reactions: Discontinue IMITREX if occurs. ( 5.5 ) • Medication overuse headache: Detoxification may be necessary. ( 5.6 ) • Serotonin syndrome: Discontinue IMITREX if occurs. ( 5.7 ) • Seizures: Use with caution in patients with epilepsy or a lowered seizure threshold. ( 5.10 ) 5.1 Myocardial Ischemia, Myocardial Infarction, and Prinzmetal’s Angina The use of IMITREX injection is contraindicated in patients with ischemic or vasospastic CAD. There have been rare reports of serious cardiac adverse reactions, including acute myocardial infarction, occurring within a few hours following administration of IMITREX injection. Some of these reactions occurred in patients without known CAD. IMITREX injection may cause coronary artery vasospasm (Prinzmetal’s angina), even in patients without a history of CAD. Perform a cardiovascular evaluation in triptan-naive patients who have multiple cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., increased age, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, obesity, strong family history of CAD) prior to receiving IMITREX injection. If there is evidence of CAD or coronary artery vasospasm, IMITREX injection is contraindicated. For patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors who have a negative cardiovascular evaluation, consider administering the first dose of IMITREX injection in a medically supervised setting and performing an electrocardiogram (ECG) immediately following administration of IMITREX injection. For such patients, consider periodic cardiovascular evaluation in intermittent long‐term users of IMITREX injection. 5.2 Arrhythmias Life-threatening disturbances of cardiac rhythm, including ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation leading to death, have been reported within a few hours following the administration of 5-HT 1 agonists. Discontinue IMITREX injection if these disturbances occur. IMITREX injection is contraindicated in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or arrhythmias associated with other cardiac accessory conduction pathway disorders. 5.3 Chest, Throat, Neck, and/or Jaw Pain/Tightness/Pressure Sensations of tightness, pain, pressure, and heaviness in the precordium, throat, neck, and jaw commonly occur after treatment with IMITREX injection and are usually non-cardiac in origin. However, perform a cardiac evaluation if these patients are at high cardiac risk. The use of IMITREX injection is contraindicated in patients with CAD and those with Prinzmetal’s variant angina. 5.4 Cerebrovascular Events Cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and stroke have occurred in patients treated with 5-HT 1 agonists, and some have resulted in fatalities. In a number of cases, it appears possible that the cerebrovascular events were primary, the 5-HT 1 agonist having been administered in the incorrect belief that the symptoms experienced were a consequence of migraine when they were not. Also, patients with migraine may be at increased risk of certain cerebrovascular events (e.g., stroke, hemorrhage, TIA). Discontinue IMITREX injection if a cerebrovascular event occurs. Before treating headaches in patients not previously diagnosed with migraine or cluster headache or in patients who present with atypical symptoms, exclude other potentially serious neurological conditions. IMITREX injection is contraindicated in patients with a history of stroke or TIA. 5.5 Other Vasospasm Reactions IMITREX injection may cause non-co …

Adverse Reactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious adverse reactions are described below and elsewhere in the labeling: • Myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, and Prinzmetal’s angina [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Arrhythmias [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Chest, throat, neck, and/or jaw pain/tightness/pressure [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Cerebrovascular events [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • Other vasospasm reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] • Medication overuse headache [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.6 )] • Serotonin syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] • Increase in blood pressure [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.8 )] • Hypersensitivity reactions [see Contraindications ( 4 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] • Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.10 )] Most common adverse reactions (≥5% and >placebo) were injection site reactions, tingling, dizziness/vertigo, warm/hot sensation, burning sensation, feeling of heaviness, pressure sensation, flushing, feeling of tightness, and numbness. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact GlaxoSmithKline at 1-888-825-5249 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared with rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Migraine Headache Table 1 lists adverse reactions that occurred in 2 U.S. placebo‐controlled clinical trials in patients with migraines (Studies 2 and 3) following either a single 6‐mg dose of IMITREX injection or placebo. Only reactions that occurred at a frequency of 2% or more in groups treated with IMITREX injection 6 mg and that occurred at a frequency greater than the placebo group are included in Table 1 . Table 1. Adverse Reactions in Pooled Placebo-Controlled Trials in Patients with Migraine (Studies 2 and 3) Adverse Reaction IMITREX Injection 6 mg Subcutaneous (n = 547) % Placebo (n = 370) % Atypical sensations 42 9 Tingling 14 3 Warm/hot sensation 11 4 Burning sensation 7 <1 Feeling of heaviness 7 1 Pressure sensation 7 2 Feeling of tightness 5 <1 Numbness 5 2 Feeling strange 2 <1 Tight feeling in head 2 <1 Cardiovascular Flushing 7 2 Chest discomfort 5 1 Tightness in chest 3 <1 Pressure in chest 2 <1 Ear, nose, and throat Throat discomfort 3 <1 Discomfort: nasal cavity/sinuses 2 <1 Injection site reaction a 59 24 Miscellaneous Jaw discomfort 2 0 Musculoskeletal Weakness 5 <1 Neck pain/stiffness 5 <1 Myalgia 2 <1 Neurological Dizziness/vertigo 12 4 Drowsiness/sedation 3 2 Headache 2 <1 Skin Sweating 2 1 a Includes injection site pain, stinging/burning, swelling, erythema, bruising, bleeding. The incidence of adverse reactions in controlled clinical trials was not affected by gender or age of the patients. There were insufficient data to assess the impact of race on the incidence of adverse reactions. Cluster Headache In the controlled clinical trials assessing the efficacy of IMITREX injection as a treatment for cluster headache (Studies 4 and 5), no new significant adverse reactions were detected that had not already been identified in trials of IMITREX in patients with migraine. Overall, the frequency of adverse reactions reported in the trials of cluster headache was generally lower than in the migraine trials. Exceptions include reports of paresthesia (5% IMITREX injection, 0% placebo), nausea and vomiting (4% IMITREX injection, 0% placebo), and bronchospasm (1% IMITREX injection, 0% placebo). 6.2 Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during postapproval use of IMITREX tablets, IMITREX nasal spray, and IMITREX injection. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causa …

Drug Interactions

openFDA Drug Labeling

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Ergot-Containing Drugs Ergot-containing drugs have been reported to cause prolonged vasospastic reactions. Because these effects may be additive, use of ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medications (like dihydroergotamine or methysergide) and IMITREX injection within 24 hours of each other is contraindicated. 7.2 Monoamine Oxidase-A Inhibitors MAO-A inhibitors increase systemic exposure by 2-fold. Therefore, the use of IMITREX injection in patients receiving MAO-A inhibitors is contraindicated [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 7.3 Other 5-HT 1 Agonists Because their vasospastic effects may be additive, coadministration of IMITREX injection and other 5-HT 1 agonists (e.g., triptans) within 24 hours of each other is contraindicated. 7.4 Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors and Serotonin Syndrome Cases of serotonin syndrome have been reported during coadministration of triptans and SSRIs, SNRIs, TCAs, and MAO inhibitors [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.7 )] .

Use in Specific Populations

openFDA Drug Labeling

8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Pregnancy: Based on animal data, may cause fetal harm. ( 8.1 ) 8.1 Pregnancy Risk Summary Data from a prospective pregnancy exposure registry and epidemiological studies of pregnant women have not detected an increased frequency of birth defects or a consistent pattern of birth defects among women exposed to sumatriptan compared with the general population (see Data) . In developmental toxicity studies in rats and rabbits, oral administration of sumatriptan to pregnant animals was associated with embryolethality, fetal abnormalities, and pup mortality. When administered by the intravenous route to pregnant rabbits, sumatriptan was embryolethal (see Data) . In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and of miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. The reported rate of major birth defects among deliveries to women with migraine ranged from 2.2% to 2.9% and the reported rate of miscarriage was 17%, which were similar to rates reported in women without migraine. Clinical Considerations Disease-Associated Maternal and/or Embryo/Fetal Risk: Several studies have suggested that women with migraine may be at increased risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy. Data Human Data: The Sumatriptan/Naratriptan/TREXIMET (sumatriptan and naproxen sodium) Pregnancy Registry, a population-based international prospective study, collected data for sumatriptan from January 1996 to September 2012. The Registry documented outcomes of 626 infants and fetuses exposed to sumatriptan during pregnancy (528 with earliest exposure during the first trimester, 78 during the second trimester, 16 during the third trimester, and 4 unknown). The occurrence of major birth defects (excluding fetal deaths and induced abortions without reported defects and all spontaneous pregnancy losses) during first-trimester exposure to sumatriptan was 4.2% (20/478 [95% CI: 2.6% to 6.5%]) and during any trimester of exposure was 4.2% (24/576 [95% CI: 2.7% to 6.2%]). The sample size in this study had 80% power to detect at least a 1.73- to 1.91-fold increase in the rate of major malformations. The number of exposed pregnancy outcomes accumulated during the registry was insufficient to support definitive conclusions about overall malformation risk or for making comparisons of the frequencies of specific birth defects. Of the 20 infants with reported birth defects after exposure to sumatriptan in the first trimester, 4 infants had ventricular septal defects, including one infant who was exposed to both sumatriptan and naratriptan, and 3 infants had pyloric stenosis. No other birth defect was reported for more than 2 infants in this group. In a study using data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register, live births to women who reported using triptans or ergots during pregnancy were compared with those of women who did not. Of the 2,257 births with first-trimester exposure to sumatriptan, 107 infants were born with malformations (relative risk 0.99 [95% CI: 0.91 to 1.21]). A study using linked data from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway to the Norwegian Prescription Database compared pregnancy outcomes in women who redeemed prescriptions for triptans during pregnancy, as well as a migraine disease comparison group who redeemed prescriptions for sumatriptan before pregnancy only, compared with a population control group. Of the 415 women who redeemed prescriptions for sumatriptan during the first trimester, 15 had infants with major congenital malformations (OR 1.16 [95% CI: 0.69 to 1.94]) while for the 364 women who redeemed prescriptions for sumatriptan before, but not during, pregnancy, 20 had infants with major congenital malformations (OR 1.83 [95% CI: 1.17 to 2.88]), each compared with the population comparison group. Additional smaller observational studies evaluating use of sumatriptan during pregnancy have not suggested an increased risk of teratogenicity. Ani …

Mechanism of Action

openFDA Drug Labeling

12.1 Mechanism of Action Sumatriptan binds with high affinity to human cloned 5-HT 1B / 1D receptors. Sumatriptan presumably exerts its therapeutic effects in the treatment of migraine and cluster headaches through agonist effects at the 5-HT 1B / 1D receptors on intracranial blood vessels and sensory nerves of the trigeminal system, which result in cranial vessel constriction and inhibition of pro‐inflammatory neuropeptide release.

Description

openFDA Drug Labeling

11 DESCRIPTION IMITREX injection contains sumatriptan succinate, a selective 5-HT 1B/1D receptor agonist. Sumatriptan succinate is chemically designated as 3-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-N-methyl-indole-5-methanesulfonamide succinate (1:1), and it has the following structure: The empirical formula is C 14 H 21 N 3 O 2 S•C 4 H 6 O 4 , representing a molecular weight of 413.5. Sumatriptan succinate is a white to off-white powder that is readily soluble in water and in saline. IMITREX injection is a clear, colorless to pale yellow, sterile, nonpyrogenic solution for subcutaneous injection. Each 0.5 mL of IMITREX injection 8-mg/mL solution contains 5.6 mg of sumatriptan succinate equivalent to 4 mg of sumatriptan and 3.8 mg of sodium chloride, USP in Water for Injection, USP. Each 0.5 mL of IMITREX injection 12-mg/mL solution contains 8.4 mg of sumatriptan succinate equivalent to 6 mg of sumatriptan and 3.5 mg of sodium chloride, USP in Water for Injection, USP. The pH range of both solutions is approximately 4.2 to 5.3. The osmolality of both injections is 291 mOsmol. Sumatriptan Chemical Structure

10 OVERDOSAGE Coronary vasospasm was observed after intravenous administration of IMITREX injection [see Contraindications ( 4 )] . Overdoses would be expected from animal data (dogs at 0.1 g/kg, rats at 2 g/kg) to possibly cause convulsions, tremor, inactivity, erythema of the extremities, reduced respiratory rate, cyanosis, ataxia, mydriasis, injection site reactions (desquamation, hair loss, and scab formation), and paralysis. The elimination half-life of sumatriptan is about 2 hours [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] ; therefore, monitoring of patients after overdose with IMITREX injection should continue for at least 10 hours or while symptoms or signs persist. It is unknown what effect hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis has on the serum concentrations of sumatriptan.

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

openFDA Drug Labeling

16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING IMITREX injection contains sumatriptan (base) as the succinate salt and is supplied as a clear, colorless to pale yellow, sterile, nonpyrogenic solution as follows: Prefilled Syringe and/or Autoinjector Pen: The needle shield of the prefilled syringe contains dry natural rubber (a latex derivative) that has the potential to cause allergic reactions in latex-sensitive individuals. Each pack contains a Patient Information and Instructions for Use leaflet. • IMITREX STATdose System, 4 mg, containing 1 IMITREX STATdose Pen, 2 prefilled single-dose syringe cartridges, and 1 carrying case (NDC 0173-0739-00). • IMITREX STATdose System, 6 mg, containing 1 IMITREX STATdose Pen, 2 prefilled single-dose syringe cartridges, and 1 carrying case (NDC 0173-0479-00). • Two 4-mg single-dose prefilled syringe cartridges for use with IMITREX STATdose System (NDC 0173-0739-02). • Two 6-mg single-dose prefilled syringe cartridges for use with IMITREX STATdose System (NDC 0173-0478-00). Store between 2° and 30°C (36° and 86°F). Protect from light.

Adverse event reports

Source: openFDA FAERS
26,472
FAERS reports mentioning this drug
as of 2026-09-25T03:42:24+00:00
A report count is not a risk measure. FAERS accepts voluntary and mandatory reports without establishing causation, and reporting is influenced by how widely a drug is used, how long it has been marketed, and media attention. FDA states that reports “do not prove that the drug caused the event”. Compare rates, not totals.

Attributed to this product's most-reported active ingredient: SUMATRIPTAN SUCCINATE. Combination products with more than six active ingredients are not attributed, because a report count summed across a long ingredient list measures the list, not the medicine.

Recalls

Source: FDA Enforcement
Drug recall enforcement reports associated with this product.
Classification Reported Firm Reason Status
Class II January 1, 2014 GlaxoSmithKline, LLC. Lack of Assurance of Sterility: A small number of pre-filled syringes may contain needles which protrude through the needle shield. Terminated

Packaging and NDCs

Source: NDC Directory
Every National Drug Code package associated with this medication. The NDC is the identifier used for dispensing, billing and pharmacovigilance in the United States.
Package NDC Product NDC Labeler Description Marketing start
0173-0478-00 0173-0478 GlaxoSmithKline LLC 2 SYRINGE in 1 CARTON (0173-0478-00) / .5 mL in 1 SYRINGE January 27, 1997
0173-0479-00 0173-0479 GlaxoSmithKline LLC 2 SYRINGE in 1 PACKAGE (0173-0479-00) / .5 mL in 1 SYRINGE January 23, 1997
0173-0739-00 0173-0739 GlaxoSmithKline LLC 2 SYRINGE in 1 PACKAGE (0173-0739-00) / .5 mL in 1 SYRINGE April 6, 2006
0173-0739-02 0173-0739 GlaxoSmithKline LLC 2 SYRINGE in 1 CARTON (0173-0739-02) / .5 mL in 1 SYRINGE April 6, 2006
0173-0478 0173-0478 GlaxoSmithKline LLC — January 27, 1997
0173-0479 0173-0479 GlaxoSmithKline LLC — January 23, 1997
0173-0739 0173-0739 GlaxoSmithKline LLC — April 6, 2006

Sources for this page

Every dataset that contributed a fact to this page.
Dataset Agency Used for
NDC Directory FDA Identity, ingredients, strengths, forms, routes, labelers, packages
Drugs@FDA FDA Application, sponsor, submissions, review documents, marketing status
Orange Book FDA Therapeutic equivalence codes, reference drug flags, patents, exclusivity
Drug Labeling FDA / NLM Prescribing information reproduced above
FAERS FDA Adverse event report counts
Enforcement FDA Recall records

Generated September 25, 2026 · 13 sections on this page.