Imitrexsumatriptan
According to the FDA label: IMITREX tablets are indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults. Limitations of Use: • Use only if a clear diagnosis of migraine headache has been established. If a patient has no response to the first migraine attack treated with IMITREX, reconsider the diagnosis of migraine before IMITREX is administered to treat any subsequent attacks. • IMITREX is not indicated for the prevention of migraine attacks.
37,201 adverse event reports submitted to the FDA (1996–2026)
Top Reported Adverse Events
The most frequently reported events in association with Imitrex in the FAERS database. These are events reported by patients taking this medication, not necessarily caused by it. A single report may include multiple events.
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Drug Ineffective 5,405 reports
A report that the medication did not work as expected for the person taking it. This is a reporting category, not a sign the drug is defective. It simply means someone felt it was not helping their condition.
Full definition in the glossary →Headache 3,123 reports
Pain in the head or upper neck.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Nausea 2,821 reports
The feeling of sickness in your stomach that often comes before vomiting.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Migraine 2,742 reports
A severe, often throbbing headache, sometimes with nausea or sensitivity to light and sound.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Fatigue 2,113 reports
Extreme tiredness or lack of energy that does not improve with rest.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Pain 1,976 reports
A general report of physical discomfort, used when no more specific location is given.
Full definition in the glossary →Dizziness 1,682 reports
A feeling of being lightheaded, unsteady, or like the room is spinning.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Vomiting 1,608 reports
Throwing up the contents of the stomach.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Dyspnoea 1,346 reports
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Also spelled dyspnea in American English.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Off Label Use 1,265 reports
Using a medication for a condition or in a way that the FDA has not officially approved. This is common and often legal, and a report of it does not mean something went wrong. Doctors sometimes prescribe drugs off label based on their judgment.
Full definition in the glossary →Anxiety 1,259 reports
A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Diarrhoea 1,195 reports
Loose or watery bowel movements, often frequent. Also spelled diarrhea in American English.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →Arthralgia 1,060 reports
Malaise 1,058 reports
A general feeling of being unwell or uncomfortable, without a specific symptom.
Full definition in the glossary →Depression 1,038 reports
A persistent low mood, loss of interest, or feelings of sadness. If you are struggling, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988 in the US) is available 24 hours a day.
Full definition in the glossary → See all drugs reporting this event →
Ranked by frequency of reports, not severity. The most-reported event is not necessarily the most dangerous or the most common in patients taking this drug.
Who Is Reporting
Demographics of patients in FAERS reports that included this information. Not all reports include patient demographics.
By Sex
View reporter sex data as a table
| Sex | Reports |
|---|---|
| Female | 28,957 |
| Male | 5,074 |
| Unknown | 178 |
By Age Group
View age group data as a table
| Age group | Reports |
|---|---|
| 0-17 | 613 |
| 18-34 | 3,990 |
| 35-49 | 7,020 |
| 50-64 | 7,542 |
| 65-74 | 2,345 |
| 75+ | 635 |
This shows who filed reports, reflecting who takes this drug and who tends to report, not who is at greatest risk.
Reported Outcomes
Outcomes recorded in FAERS reports that included Imitrex. A single report may involve multiple reactions, each with a different outcome. These categories are defined by FDA reporting guidelines, not by PillSignal.
View outcome data as a table
| Outcome | Reports |
|---|---|
| Non-Serious | 18,652 |
| Other Serious | 13,487 |
| Hospitalization | 6,944 |
| Disability | 1,111 |
| Life-Threatening | 939 |
| Death | 881 |
Serious outcomes are far more likely to be reported than mild ones, so this overstates how often outcomes are serious. A recorded death does not mean the drug caused it.
Report Volume Over Time
Number of FAERS reports received per quarter for Imitrex. Changes in volume may reflect shifts in prescribing rates, media attention, or reporting behavior, not changes in the medication's safety profile.
View report trend as a table
| Year | Reports |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 893 |
| 2005 | 1,256 |
| 2006 | 842 |
| 2007 | 851 |
| 2008 | 792 |
| 2009 | 865 |
| 2010 | 797 |
| 2011 | 904 |
| 2012 | 1,154 |
| 2013 | 1,087 |
| 2014 | 1,410 |
| 2015 | 2,197 |
| 2016 | 2,977 |
| 2017 | 2,171 |
| 2018 | 2,643 |
| 2019 | 3,028 |
| 2020 | 2,670 |
| 2021 | 2,163 |
| 2022 | 2,176 |
| 2023 | 2,170 |
| 2024 | 1,884 |
| 2025 | 1,835 |
| 2026 (partial) | 433 |
The steep increase around 2004 reflects the FDA's move to electronic submission, not a change in this drug's safety. Trends track reporting volume, not risk.
Medications commonly reported with Imitrex
In FDA adverse event reports that mention Imitrex, these medications appeared most often in the same report.
- Topiramate (4,611 reports)
- Gabapentin (4,292 reports)
- Ergocalciferol (3,990 reports)
- Omeprazole (3,833 reports)
- Acetaminophen (3,284 reports)
This reflects co-occurrence in submitted reports, not evidence of drug interaction or combined risk. People often report several medications taken for the same condition or for unrelated reasons. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your specific medications.
Related Drugs
Other medications with similar adverse event profiles in FDA FAERS reports.
Data Source
This data is sourced from the FDA's Adverse Event Monitoring System (AEMS), formerly FAERS, via the OpenFDA API. PillSignal is not affiliated with the FDA.
View this data on the FDA website →Data last updated: June 2026