Last reviewed · How we verify
Imitrex®
Imitrex is a selective serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist that constricts cranial blood vessels and inhibits neuropeptide release to relieve migraine headaches.
Imitrex is a selective serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist that constricts cranial blood vessels and inhibits neuropeptide release to relieve migraine headaches. Used for Acute treatment of migraine with or without aura, Acute treatment of cluster headache.
At a glance
| Generic name | Imitrex® |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Teva Pharmaceuticals USA |
| Drug class | Triptan (5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist) |
| Target | 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Neurology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Sumatriptan (the active ingredient in Imitrex) binds to 5-HT1B receptors on cranial blood vessels, causing vasoconstriction, and to 5-HT1D receptors on trigeminal nerve terminals, reducing the release of vasoactive neuropeptides. This dual action rapidly reverses the vasodilation and neurogenic inflammation associated with migraine attacks.
Approved indications
- Acute treatment of migraine with or without aura
- Acute treatment of cluster headache
Common side effects
- Chest pain or pressure
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Tingling or numbness
- Weakness or fatigue
- Neck stiffness
- Injection site reactions (if injected)
Key clinical trials
- Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of ONZETRA® Xsail® for the Acute Treatment of Episodic Migraine With or Without Aura in Adolescents (PHASE3)
- Dose Ranging Study of Rimegepant (BMS-927711) for the Acute Treatment of Migraine (PHASE2)
- Sofusa System With Sumatriptan (KC5010) Phase 1 Dose Escalation Safety and PK Study (KCC-SMT-002) (PHASE1)
- An Open-label, Randomized, 3-period Crossover Study to Evaluate Sumatriptan Pharmacokinetics for a TREXIMA™ (Sumatriptan Succinate / Naproxen Sodium) Tablet Followed by IMITREX® (Sumatriptan Succinate) (PHASE1)
- Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Alone or With a Triptan and Reports of Transition From Episodic to Chronic Migraine
- Drug and Non-Drug Treatment Of Severe Migraine (PHASE4)
- Comparative Bioavailability Study of Omexa Sumatriptan vs. Imitrex® in Healthy Volunteers (PHASE1)
- Safety, Pharmacokinetic, and Tolerability Study of Zecuity® in Adolescent Subjects With a History of Acute Migraine (PHASE1)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Imitrex® CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Imitrex® updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Teva Pharmaceuticals USA portfolio CI