Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Sumatriptan may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
for Each Imigran nasal spray contains a single dose of sumatriptan, which belongs to a group of medicines called triptans (also known as 5-HT1 receptor agonists). Imigran nasal spray is used to treat migraine headache. Migraine symptoms may be caused by the temporary widening of blood vessels in the head. Imigran nasal spray is believed to reduce the widening of these blood vessels. This in turn helps to take away the headache and relieve other symptoms of a migraine attack, such as feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting) and sensitivity to light and sound.
e Imigran nasal spray Don't use Imigran: • •
If you're allergic to sumatriptan, or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). If you have a heart problem such as narrowing of the arteries (Ischaemic heart disease) or chest pains (angina), or have already had a heart attack.
• • • • • •
If you have circulation problems in your legs that cause cramp-like pains when you walk (peripheral vascular disease). If you have had a stroke or a mini-stroke (also called a transient ischaemic attack or TIA). If you have high blood pressure. You may be able to use Imigran if your high blood pressure is mild and is being treated. If you have serious liver disease. With other migraine medicines, including those which contain ergotamine, or similar medicines such as methysergide or any triptan/5-HT1 receptor agonist (medicines which are also used for treating migraine). With anti-depressants called MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), or if you have taken these medicines in the last 2 weeks.
If any of these apply to you: ➔ Tell your doctor, and don't use Imigran nasal spray.
Take special care with Imigran Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Imigran. If you have any extra risk factors
These effects may be intense but they usually pass quickly. If they don't pass quickly, or they become severe: ➔ Get medical help immediately. Section 4 of this leaflet has more information about these possible side effects.
Other medicines and Imigran Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes any herbal products or medicines you've bought without a prescription. Some medicines must not be taken with Imigran and others may cause adverse effects if they're taken with Imigran. You must tell your doctor if you are taking:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding •
•
If you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor for advice before taking this medicine. There is only limited information about the safety of Imigran for pregnant women, though up until now there is no evidence of any increased risk of birth defects. Your doctor will discuss with you whether or not you should use Imigran while you are pregnant. Don't breast-feed your baby for 12 hours after using Imigran. If you express any breast milk during this time, discard the milk and don't give it to your baby. Some breastfeeding women report breast and/or nipple pain after use of sumatriptan. The pain is usually temporary and disappears in 3 to 12 hours.
Driving and using machines Either the symptoms of migraine or your medicine may make you drowsy. If you are affected, don't drive or operate machinery.
3 How to use Imigran nasal spray Only use Imigran after your migraine headache begins Don't use Imigran to try to prevent an attack.
Always use this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. There's a step-by-step guide to using the spray at the end of this section.
How much to use Adults aged 18 to 65
When to use Imigran •
It's best to use Imigran as soon as you feel a migraine coming on, although it can be used at any time during an attack.
If your symptoms start to come back •
You can use a second Imigran nasal spray after 2 hours, but don't use more than two sprays in 24 hours.
If the first spray has no effect •
Don't use a second spray, or any other Imigran preparation for the same attack. If Imigran doesn't give you any relief: ➔ Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
If you use more Imigran than you should •
Don't use more than two Imigran nasal sprays in 24 hours. Using too much Imigran could make you ill. If you have used more than two sprays in 24 hours: ➔ Contact your doctor for advice. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Step-by-step guide to using your Imigran nasal spray Don't open a blister until you are ready to use a spray. Each spray is sealed in a blister to keep it clean and safe. If you carry a spray without a blister, or in an open blister, it may not work properly when you need it. Each spray contains just one dose of Imigran. Don't press the plunger too soon or you will lose the dose. Imigran nasal spray has three parts:
The nozzle The part that you put into your nostril. The spray comes out of a tiny hole in the top. The finger-grip Hold this when you use the spray.
The blue plunger Press this to spray the whole dose into your nostril in one go. This only works once – don't press the plunger until you have put the nozzle into your nostril or you will lose the dose.
the nasal spray 1
Remove the nasal spray from the blister packaging just before you want to use it.
2
Get into a comfortable position. You may prefer to sit down.
3
Blow your nose if it feels blocked, or if you have a cold.
4
Hold the nasal spray gently with your fingers and thumb, as shown in picture A. Don't press the blue plunger yet.
5
Block one nostril by pressing a finger firmly on the side of your nose. It doesn't matter which nostril you choose.
6
Put the nozzle of the nasal spray into the other nostril, as far as feels comfortable about 1 cm or 1/2 inch (picture B). Breathe out gently through your mouth. Hold your head upright and close your mouth.
7
Start to breathe in gently through your nose. As you breathe in: Press the blue plunger firmly with your thumb. The plunger may feel a bit stiff and you may hear it click. Keep breathing in while spraying (picture C).
8
Remove the spray and remove your finger from the side of your nose. Keep your head upright for 10-20 seconds, breathing gently in through your nose and out through your mouth. This helps the medicine stay in your nose. Your nose may feel wet inside and you may notice a slight taste after using the spray – this is normal and will soon pass.
9
Your nasal spray is now empty. Throw it away safely and hygienically.
4 Possible side effects Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, but not everybody gets them.
Some symptoms may be caused by the migraine itself. Adverse events reported in adults have also been observed in adolescents. These include very rare reports of heart attacks.
Allergic reaction: get doctor's help straight away The following side effects have occurred but their frequency is not known.
Very common side effects (affect more than 1 in 10 people)
Common side effects (affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Rare side effects (affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
Very rare side effects (affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)
• • • • • • • • •
pains (angina) or heart attack. Pale blue-tinged skin and/or pain in your fingers, toes, ears, nose or jaw in response to cold or stress (Raynaud's phenomenon). Feeling faint (blood pressure may go down). Pain in the lower left side of the stomach and bloody diarrhoea (ischaemic colitis). Diarrhoea. If you had a recent injury or if you have inflammation (like rheumatism or inflammation of the colon) you may experience pain or pain worsening at the site of injury or inflammation. Pain in the joints. Feeling anxious. Difficulty swallowing. Excessive sweating.
Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible
not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Imigran nasal spray Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Keep this medicine in the sealed blister in the box to protect it from light. Don't store above 30°C and don't freeze. Don't use this medicine after the expiry date shown on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Don't throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
What Imigran nasal spray contains
The active substance is sumatriptan (10 mg or 20 mg). The other ingredients are potassium dihydrogen phosphate, dibasic sodium phosphate anhydrous, sulphuric acid, sodium hydroxide and purified water.
What Imigran nasal spray looks like and contents of the pack
This medicine is provided in a pre-filled nasal spray device and contains sumatriptan in 0.1 ml of a yellow-coloured solution. Imigran nasal spray is packed in a box containing the nasal sprays individually sealed in blisters. They are available in packs of 2 and 6 pre-filled nasal spray devices. Each nasal spray contains one dose of Imigran.
Marketing authorisation holder and manufacturer
Marketing Authorisation Holder: Glaxo Wellcome UK Ltd, GSK Medicines Research Centre, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2NY, UK Manufacturer: GlaxoSmithKline Manufacturing S.p.A., San Polo di Torrile, Parma, Italy Other formats: To listen to or request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio please call, free of charge:
0800 198 5000 (UK only) Please be ready to give the following information: Product name
Imigran 10 mg Nasal Spray Imigran 20 mg Nasal Spray
Reference number
10949/0260
This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People. Leaflet date: August 2025 Trade marks are owned by or licensed to the GSK group of companies © 2025 GSK group of companies or its licensor. GSK (logo)
Imigran 10mg Nasal Spray comes as nasal spray containing 10mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Imigran 10mg Nasal Spray is sumatriptan.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Imigran 10mg Nasal Spray, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
Imigran Nasal Spray is indicated for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura.
Imigran Nasal Spray should not be used prophylactically. The recommended dose of Imigran should not be exceeded.
Imigran is recommended as monotherapy for the acute treatment of a migraine attack and should not be given concomitantly with ergotamine or derivatives of ergotamine (including methysergide) (see section 4.3).
It is advisable that Imigran be given as early as possible after the onset of a migraine headache. It is equally effective at whatever stage of the attack it is administered.
Adults (18 years of age and over)
The optimal dose of Imigran Nasal Spray is 20 mg for administration into one nostril. However, due to inter/intra patient variability of both the migraine attacks and the absorption of sumatriptan, 10 mg may be effective in some patients.
If a patient does not respond to the first dose of Imigran, a second dose should not be taken for the same attack. In these cases the attack can be treated with paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Imigran may be taken for subsequent attacks.
If the patient has responded to the first dose but the symptoms recur, a second dose may be given in the following 24 hours, provided that there is a minimum interval of 2 hours between the two doses.
No more than two doses of Imigran 20 mg Nasal Spray should be taken in any 24-hour period.
Adolescents (12–17 years of age)
Use of sumatriptan in adolescents should be on the recommendation of a specialist or physician who has significant experience in treating migraine, taking into account local guidance.
The recommended dose of Imigran Nasal Spray is 10 mg for administration into one nostril.
If a patient does not respond to the first dose of Imigran, a second dose should not be taken for the same attack. In these cases the attack can be treated with paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Imigran may be taken for subsequent attacks.
If the patient has responded to the first dose but the symptoms recur, a second dose may be given in the following 24 hours, provided that there is a minimum interval of 2 hours between the two doses.
No more than two doses of Imigran 10 mg Nasal Spray should be taken in any 24-hour period.
Children (under 12 years of age)
Imigran Nasal Spray is not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age due to insufficient data on safety and efficacy.
Elderly (over 65)
There is no experience of the use of Imigran Nasal Spray in patients over 65. The pharmacokinetics in elderly patients have not been sufficiently studied. Therefore the use of sumatriptan is not recommended until further data are available.
Hypersensitivity to sumatriptan or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Sumatriptan should not be given to patients who have had myocardial infarction or have ischaemic heart disease, coronary vasospasm (Prinzmetal's angina), peripheral vascular disease or symptoms or signs consistent with ischaemic heart disease.
Sumatriptan should not be administered to patients with a history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) or transient ischaemic attack (TIA).
Sumatriptan should not be administered to patients with severe hepatic impairment.
The use of sumatriptan in patients with moderate and severe hypertension and mild uncontrolled hypertension is contraindicated.
The concomitant administration of ergotamine, or derivatives of ergotamine (including methysergide) or any triptan/5-hydroxytryptamine1 (5-HT1) receptor agonist is contraindicated (see section 4.5).
Concurrent administration of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and sumatriptan is contraindicated.
Imigran must not be used within 2 weeks of discontinuation of therapy with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.
Imigran Nasal Spray should only be used where there is a clear diagnosis of migraine.
Sumatriptan is not indicated for use in the management of hemiplegic, basilar or ophthalmoplegic migraine.
Before treating with sumatriptan, care should be taken to exclude potentially serious neurological conditions (e.g. CVA, TIA) if the patient presents with atypical symptoms or if they have not received an appropriate diagnosis for sumatriptan use.
Following administration, sumatriptan can be associated with transient symptoms including chest pain and tightness, which may be intense and involve the throat (see section 4.8). Where such symptoms are thought to indicate ischaemic heart disease, no further doses of sumatriptan should be given and an appropriate evaluation should be carried out.
Sumatriptan should not be given to patients with risk factors for ischaemic heart disease, including those patients who are heavy smokers or users of nicotine substitution therapies, without prior cardiovascular evaluation (see section 4.3.). Special consideration should be give to postmenopausal women and males over 40 with these risk factors. These evaluations however, may not identify every patient who has cardiac disease and, in very rare cases, serious cardiac events have occurred in patients without underlying cardiovascular disease and in adolescents (see section 4.8).
Sumatriptan should be given with caution in patients with mild controlled hypertension, since transient increases in blood pressure and peripheral vascular resistance have been observed in a small proportion of patients (see section 4.3).
There have been rare post-marketing reports describing patients with serotonin syndrome (including altered mental status, autonomic instability and neuromuscular abnormalities) following the use of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and sumatriptan. Serotonin syndrome has been reported following concomitant treatment with triptans and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
If concomitant treatment with sumatriptan and an SSRI/SNRI is clinically warranted, appropriate observation of the patient is advised (see section 4.5)
Sumatriptan should be administered with caution to patients with conditions that may affect significantly the absorption, metabolism, or excretion of the drug, e.g. impaired hepatic (mild to moderate impairment) (Child Pugh grade A or B; see section 5.2) or renal function (see section 5.2).
Sumatriptan should be used with caution in patients with a history of seizures or other risk factors which lower the seizure threshold, as seizures have been reported in association with sumatriptan (see section 4.8).
Patients with known hypersensitivity to sulphonamides may exhibit an allergic reaction following administration of sumatriptan. Reactions may range from cutaneous hypersensitivity to anaphylaxis. Evidence of cross sensitivity is limited however, caution should be exercised before using sumatriptan in these patients.
Undesirable effects may be more common during concomitant use of triptans and herbal preparations containing St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum).
Prolonged use of any type of painkiller for headaches can make them worse. If this situation is experienced or suspected, medical advice should be obtained and treatment should be discontinued. The diagnosis of medication overuse headache (MOH) should be suspected in patients who have frequent or daily headaches despite (or because of) the regular use of headache medications.
There is no evidence of interactions with propranolol, flunarizine, pizotifen or alcohol.
There are limited data on an interaction with preparations containing ergotamine or another triptan/5-HT1 receptor agonist. The increased risk of coronary vasospasm is a theoretical possibility and concomitant administration is contraindicated (see section 4.3).
The period of time that should elapse between the use of sumatriptan and ergotamine-containing preparations or another triptan/5-HT1 receptor agonist is not known. This will also depend on the doses and types of products used. The effects may be additive. It is advised to wait at least 24 hours following the use of ergotamine-containing preparations or another triptan/5-HT1 receptor agonist before administering sumatriptan. Conversely, it is advised to wait at least 6 hours following use of sumatriptan before administering an ergotamine-containing product and at least 24 hours before administering another triptan/5-HT1 receptor agonist.
An interaction may occur between sumatriptan and MAOIs and concomitant administration is contraindicated (see section 4.3).
There have been rare post-marketing reports describing patients with serotonin syndrome (including altered mental status, autonomic instability and neuromuscular abnormalities) following the use of SSRIs and sumatriptan. Serotonin syndrome has also been reported following concomitant treatment with triptans and SNRIs (see section 4.4).
Pregnancy
Post-marketing data on the use of sumatriptan during the first trimester of pregnancy in over 1,000 women are available. Although these data contain insufficient information to draw definitive conclusions, they do not point to an increased risk of congenital defects. Experience with the use of sumatriptan in the second and third trimester is limited.
Evaluation of experimental animal studies does not indicate direct teratogenic effects or harmful effects on peri- and postnatal development. However, embryo-foetal viability might be affected in the rabbit (see section 5.3). Administration of sumatriptan should only be considered if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus.
Breast-feeding
Sumatriptan is secreted into breast milk, with average relative infant doses of < 4% following administration of a single dose of sumatriptan. Infant exposure can be minimised by avoiding breast-feeding for 12 hours after treatment, during which time any breast milk expressed should be discarded.
There have been reports of breast pain and/or nipple pain following sumatriptan intake in breastfeeding women (see section 4.8). The pain was usually transient and disappeared in 3 to 12 hours.
No studies on the effects on the ability to drive and use machines have been performed. Drowsiness may occur as a result of migraine or treatment with sumatriptan. This may influence the ability to drive and to operate machinery.
Adverse events are listed below by system organ class and frequency. Frequencies are defined as: very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1000 to <1/100), rare (≥1/10000 to <1/1000) very rare (<1/10000), not known (cannot be estimated from the available data). Some of the symptoms reported as undesirable effects may be associated symptoms of migraine.
Adverse events reported in adults have also been observed in adolescents. These include very rare reports of coronary artery vasospasm and myocardial infarction (see section 4.4).
Immune system disorders
Not known:
Hypersensitivity reactions ranging from cutaneous hypersensitivity (such as urticaria) to anaphylaxis.
Nervous system disorders
Very common:
Dysgeusia/unpleasant taste.
Common:
Dizziness, drowsiness, sensory disturbance including paraesthesia and hypoaesthesia.
Not known:
Seizures, although some have occurred in patients with either a history of seizures or concurrent conditions predisposing to seizures. There are also reports in patients where no such predisposing factors are apparent; Tremor, dystonia, nystagmus, scotoma.
Eye disorders
Not known:
Flickering, diplopia, reduced vision. Loss of vision including reports of permanent defects. However, visual disorders may also occur during a migraine attack itself.
Cardiac disorders
Not known:
Bradycardia, tachycardia, palpitations, cardiac arrhythmias, transient ischaemic ECG changes, coronary artery vasospasm, angina, myocardial infarction (see sections 4.3 and 4.4).
Vascular disorders
Common:
Transient increases in blood pressure arising soon after treatment. Flushing.
Not known:
Hypotension, Raynaud's phenomenon.
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Common:
Following administration of sumatriptan nasal spray mild, transient irritation or burning sensation in the nose or throat or epistaxis have been reported. Dyspnoea.
Gastrointestinal disorders
Common:
Nausea and vomiting occurred in some patients but it is unclear if this is related to sumatriptan or the underlying condition.
Not known:
Ischaemic colitis, diarrhoea, dysphagia.
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Common:
Sensations of heaviness (usually transient and may be intense and can affect any part of the body including the chest and throat). Myalgia.
Not known:
Neck stiffness.
Arthralgia
Reproductive system and breast disorders
Rare:
Breast pain.
General disorders and administration site conditions
Common:
Pain, sensations of heat or cold, pressure or tightness (these events are usually transient and may be intense and can affect any part of the body including the chest and throat); feelings of weakness, fatigue (both events are mostly mild to moderate in intensity and transient).
Not known:
Pain trauma activated, pain inflammation activated.
Investigations
Very rare:
Minor disturbances in liver function tests have occasionally been observed.
Psychiatric disorders
Not known:
Anxiety.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Not known:
Hyperhidrosis.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
Single doses of sumatriptan up to 40 mg intranasally, in excess of 16 mg subcutaneously and 400 mg orally have not been associated with side effects other than those mentioned.
In clinical studies volunteers have received 20 mg of sumatriptan by the intranasal route three times a day for a period of 4 days without significant adverse effects.
If overdosage occurs, the patient should be monitored for at least 10 hours and standard supportive treatment applied as required. It is unknown what effect haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis has on the plasma concentrations of sumatriptan.
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
⚠ Same active substance, but a different pharmaceutical form (for example a gel instead of a tablet). Not interchangeable — ask a pharmacist.
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
⚠ Same active substance, but a different pharmaceutical form (for example a gel instead of a tablet). Not interchangeable — ask a pharmacist.
Same active substance. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
Ask anything about Imigran 10mg Nasal Spray. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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