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Imitrex

Clinical Pharmacology
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Clinical Pharmacology

Comparisons of drug performance based upon results obtained in different clinical trials are never reliable. Because studies are conducted at different times, with different samples of patients, by different investigators, employing different criteria and/or different interpretations of the same criteria, under different conditions (dose, dosing regimen, etc.), quantitative estimates of treatment response and the timing of response may be expected to vary considerably from study to study.

Table 1. Percentage of Patients With Headache Response (No or Mild Pain) 2 and 4 Hours Following Treatment


  Placebo IMITREX Tablets
25 mg
IMITREX Tablets
50 mg
IMITREX Tablets
100 mg
2 hr 4 hr 2 hr 4 hr 2 hr 4 hr 2 hr 4 hr
Study 1 27% 38% 52%* 67%* 61%*† 78%*† 62%*† 79%*†
(N = 94) (N = 298) (N = 296) (N = 296)
Study 2

26%

38% 52%* 70%* 50%* 68%* 56%* 71%*

(N = 65)

(N = 66) (N = 62) (N = 66)
Study 3

17%

19% 52%* 65%* 54%* 72%* 57%* 78%*

(N = 47)

(N = 48) (N = 46) (N = 46)
*p< 0.05 in comparison with placebo.
†p< 0.05 in comparison with 25 mg.

The estimated probability of achieving an initial headache response over the 4 hours following treatment is depicted in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Estimated Probability of Achieving Initial Headache Response Within 240 Minutes*


Estimated Probability of Achieving Initial Headache Response Within 240 Minutes* - illustration

* The figure shows the probability over time of obtaining headache response (no or mild pain) following treatment with sumatriptan. The averages displayed are based on pooled data from the 3 clinical controlled trials providing evidence of efficacy. Kaplan-Meier plot with patients not achieving response and/or taking rescue within 240 minutes censored to 240 minutes.

For patients with migraine-associated nausea, photophobia, and/or phonophobia at baseline, there was a lower incidence of these symptoms at 2 hours (Study 1) and at 4 hours (Studies 1, 2, and 3) following administration of IMITREX Tablets compared to placebo.

As early as 2 hours in Studies 2 and 3 or 4 hours in Study 1, through 24 hours following the initial dose of study treatment, patients were allowed to use additional treatment for pain relief in the form of a second dose of study treatment or other medication. The estimated probability of patients taking a second dose or other medication for migraine over the 24 hours following the initial dose of study treatment is summarized in Figure 2.

Figure 2. The Estimated Probability of Patients Taking a Second Dose or Other Medication for Migraine Over the 24 Hours Following the Initial Dose of Study Treatment*


The Estimated Probability of Patients Taking a Second Dose or Other Medication for Migraine Over the 24 Hours Following the Initial Dose of Study Treatment* - illustration

* Kaplan-Meier plot based on data obtained in the 3 clinical controlled trials providing evidence of efficacy with patients not using additional treatments censored to 24 hours. Plot also includes patients who had no response to the initial dose. No remedication was allowed within 2 hours postdose.

Brand Name: Imitrex
Generic Name: Sumatriptan Succinate
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