Migraines and Headaches Resources
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A migraine headache is a form of vascular headache. Migraine headache is caused by vasodilatation (enlargement of blood vessels) that causes the release of chemicals from nerve fibers that coil around the large arteries of the brain. Enlargement of these blood vessels stretches the nerves that coil around them and causes the nerves to release chemicals. The chemicals cause inflammation, pain, and further enlargement of the artery. The increasing enlargement of the arteries magnifies the pain.
Migraine attacks commonly activate the sympathetic nervous system in the body. The sympathetic nervous system is often thought of as the part of the nervous system that controls primitive responses to stress and pain, the so-called "fight or flight" response, and this activation causes many of the symptoms associated with migraine attacks; for example, the increased sympathetic nervous activity in the intestine causes nausea, vomiting,...
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Sumavel® DosePro®
(SUE-muh-vell DOSE-pro)
(sumatriptan injection) Needle-free Delivery System
Read this Patient Information before you start to take Sumavel DosePro. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking with your doctor about your medical condition or treatment. You and your doctor should talk about Sumavel DosePro when you start taking it and at regular checkups.
What is the most important information I should know about Sumavel DosePro?
In very rare cases, people taking triptan, such as Sumavel DosePro, may experience serious side effects, including heart attacks. Call you doctor right away if you have:
Sumavel DosePro is not for people with risk factors for heart disease unless a heart exam is done and shows no problem.
You have a higher risk for heart disease if you:
“Serotonin syndrome” is a serious and life-threatening problem that can happen with Sumavel DosePro, especially if used with anti-depressant medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are not sure.
Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms of serotonin syndrome:
What is Sumavel DosePro?
Sumavel DosePro is a prescription medicine administered with a needle-free delivery system to treat people who have been diagnosed with migraine or cluster headaches.
Sumavel DosePro is not used to prevent or lessen the number of migraine or cluster headache attacks you have.
Sumavel DosePro is not used to treat other types of headaches.
It is not known if Sumavel DosePro is safe or effective in people younger than 18 years of age.
Who should not take Sumavel DosePro?
Do not take Sumavel DosePro if you have:
What should I tell my doctor before taking Sumavel DosePro?
Before taking Sumavel DosePro, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Using Sumavel DosePro with certain other medicines can affect each other causing serious side effects.
Especially tell your doctor if you take anti-depressant medicines called:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of these medicines if you are not sure.
How should I take Sumavel DosePro?
What should I avoid while taking Sumavel DosePro?
You may feel drowsy or dizzy because of your migraine or your treatment with Sumavel DosePro. If you have these symptoms, do not drive a car, use machinery, or do anything that needs you to be alert.
What are the possible side effects of Sumavel DosePro?
Sumavel DosePro can cause serious side effects including death. See “What is the most important information I should know about Sumavel DosePro?”
Serious side effects include:
Get medical help right away, if you have:
The most common side effects of Sumavel DosePro include:
Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of Sumavel DosePro. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How should I store Sumavel DosePro?
Keep Sumavel DosePro and all medicines out of the reach of children.
General information about Sumavel DosePro.
Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in patient information leaflets. Do not use Sumavel DosePro for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Sumavel DosePro to other people, even if they have the same symptoms that you have. It may harm them.
This patient information leaflet summarizes the most important information about Sumavel DosePro. If you would like more information about Sumavel DosePro, talk to your doctor. You can ask your doctor or pharmacist for information about Sumavel DosePro that is written for health professionals.
For more information, go to www.SumavelDosePro.com or call 1-866-ZOGENIX.
What are the Ingredients in Sumavel DosePro?
Active ingredient: sumatriptan
Inactive ingredients: sodium chloride
Instructions for Use
Read these Instructions for Use which come with Sumavel DosePro before you start using it and each time you get a refill. Follow these instructions each time you use Sumavel DosePro. Before you use Sumavel DosePro for the first time, make sure your doctor shows you the right way to use it.
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A . Check your device:
The snap-off tip should sit firmly on the end of the clear medication chamber. Do not use Sumavel DosePro if the snap-off tip is tilted or broken off.
The medicine inside Sumavel DosePro should be clear and colorless or pale yellow. Do not use Sumavel DosePro if the medicine looks dark-colored or cloudy.
The expiration date is printed on both the Sumavel DosePro label and carton. Do not use Sumavel DosePro if the medicine is expired.
B. Choose a delivery site:
Select a delivery site such as your stomach area (abdomen) or your thigh.
Do not deliver Sumavel DosePro in the arm.
Your skin should be clean, and dry, and free of clothing.
Do not deliver through your clothes.
Do not deliver into scars or moles, or within 2 inches of your belly button (navel). Do not deliver into the same spot. Change delivery sites with each use.
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Shaded areas show all possible areas of delivery.
1. Snap: In this step, you will learn how to correctly remove the snap-off tip.
Do not begin these steps until you are ready to take your dose.
Firmly hold the handle of Sumavel DosePro in one hand. With the other hand, use your fingers to grip the top and bottom of the snap-off tip, where the finger grips are located.
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To break off the snap-off tip, firmly snap it off in a downward motion. You may need to use some force.
You do not need to twist or pull the snap-off tip; doing so will not work.
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2 . Flip: In this step, you will learn how to prepare Sumavel DosePro for delivery of the medicine.
Firmly press the green lever all the way down (away from the clear plastic end), until it clicks and locks into the handle. You may feel some resistance – this is normal.
Once you have flipped the lever, do not touch the end of the clear medication chamber.
Keep the medication chamber pointed away from your face or eyes.
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3 . Press: In this step, you will learn how to deliver the medicine.
Deliver the dose exactly as shown to you by your healthcare provider.
Pinch about 2 inches of the skin of your stomach (abdomen) or thigh to create a firm section of skin.
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Place Sumavel DosePro straight out from the delivery site with the end of the clear medication chamber against your skin.
Do not hold Sumavel DosePro at an angle to your skin.
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During the next step, you will hear a loud burst of air. Do not be alarmed – this indicates that the medicine has been delivered.
Steadily press Sumavel DosePro straight down against your skin until you hear and feel a burst of air. There is no button to push. After you hear the burst of air (whoosh), the medicine has been delivered and you can remove Sumavel DosePro from your skin.
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Let go of your pinched skin after the medicine has been delivered.
After removing Sumavel DosePro from your skin, a small droplet of blood may be present. You can gently press a cotton ball or gauze over the injection site. Do not rub the injection site. You may cover the injection site with a small adhesive bandage, if needed.
Last reviewed on RxList: 8/2/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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