Imitrex, Sumatripan help please

[HanPanes]

I've been having chronic headaches now for 8 months during my withdrawal although I def would say they're not migraines.
Anyway my doc today has given me 6 Imitrex/Sumatripan tablets as a trial because she wonders if they are migraines.

She's setting me up for an x ray on my neck (already had a clear CT scan) and has said that before I see her next I need to have tried at least one of these tablets. I've read a lot of links on this subject but still don't know what to think.

Is she misguided in giving them to me seeing as I am still on 8mg Prozac, Flupentixol and 10mg Amitriptyline or should I give it a go otherwise it doesn't seem like she'll give me any further help?? My gut feeling is not to take the risk and mess with something I don't understand and not sure she does!

[Songbird]

I don't know anything about this drug, so I looked it up in Wikipedia. After what I read there, I'd be very wary of taking it.

"Mode of action: Sumatriptan is structurally similar to serotonin (5HT), and is a 5-HT (types 5-HT1D and 5-HT1B[3]) agonist. The specific receptor subtypes it activates are present in the cerebral arteries. Dilation of these arteries is thought to be a major cause of headache pain, and activating these receptors causes vasoconstriction."

[Songbird]

Here is what drugs.com says about imitrex/prozac interaction:

"MONITOR CLOSELY: Concomitant use of agents with serotonergic activity such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, 5-HT1 receptor agonists, ergot alkaloids, lithium, St. John's wort, phenylpiperidine opioids, dextromethorphan, and tryptophan may potentiate the risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but serious and potentially fatal condition thought to result from hyperstimulation of brainstem 5-HT1A and 2A receptors." ...

"In general, the concomitant use of multiple serotonergic agents should be avoided if possible, or otherwise approached with caution if potential benefit is deemed to outweigh the risk. Patients should be closely monitored for symptoms of the serotonin syndrome during treatment. Particular caution is advised when increasing the dosages of these agents. The potential risk for serotonin syndrome should be considered even when administering serotonergic agents sequentially, as some agents may demonstrate a prolonged elimination half-life. For example, a 5-week washout period is recommended following use of fluoxetine before administering another serotonergic agent. "

[scotty]

This warning came out from the FDA last year. Using Imitrex and any ssri can be a potentially bad situation. Imitrex is a "triptan"...scroll down in this FDA page listed below to see the warning:

http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/.../ucm085313.htm

[HanPanes]

Thank you for your replies regarding this. After reading the FDA article there's no way I'm going to risk taking this medication. The risks by far out weigh any benefit there may be.

I'm just angry that my doctor has prescibed me this knowing the situation I'm in and what do I do when she says I can't go back to her until I've tried it?! This seems a bit harsh.....

Should I print out this article and show it to her, doctors hate to be told they're wrong.....

[scotty]

Originally Posted by HanPanes

I'm just angry that my doctor has prescibed me this knowing the situation I'm in and what do I do when she says I can't go back to her until I've tried it?! This seems a bit harsh.....

Should I print out this article and show it to her, doctors hate to be told they're wrong.....

Don't you love the mightier than thou attitudes! Print it out and "bring it to her attention"....she probably doesn't even know the warning is out there, few doctors do! If she can't handle having an informed patient, then you need to find a new doc.

[HanPanes]

Agreed! Thank you for your wise advice.