Imigran Nasal Spray

You only need Imigran if you’re having migraines – it’s not for everyday headaches.

If you need to tell whether you have migraines – migraines are best defined as a headache which can feel like a throbbing pain on one side of the head, which may cause other symptoms like:

• feeling sick (nausea) or vomiting
• increased sensitivity to light
• sensitivity to sound

But, there are different types of migraine, including:

• migraine with aura – a migraine which presents with warning signs such as flashing lights
• migraine without aura – a migraine which happens without any warning signs. This is the most common type of migraine
• migraine aura without headache – where the individual experiences an aura such as visual problems or numbness or other migraine symptoms but no headache. This is also known as a silent migraine

These are usually the signs which help to distinguish between a migraine and a headache. Migraines also usually have a throbbing pain associated with them.

Get it online: You can request Imigran nasal spray from online doctor services like ours. If you feel like you need treatment for your migraine because over the counter painkillers are not effective, you can use our convenient service to request Imigran.

To request this, the first step is to complete a simple online questionnaire. Our doctors will review your answers to check that Imigran nasal spray is suitable. If this is approved, the spray will be sent direct to you via post or courier.

We only sell 20mg doses in packs of 2 or 6 doses. To reorder, you will need to complete the questionnaire again. This way our doctors can check the spray is still safe for you to use when a migraine occurs.

Get it offline: Alternatively, you can visit your GP who can provide you with a prescription for Imigran nasal spray, if they feel it's suitable for you.

You could try Imigran as long as you have migraines and you do not have any previous health conditions or current medications that make taking Imigran unsafe.

How will it help me? – Imigran nasal spray is used to treat migraine headaches by reducing the width of the blood vessels in the head. Migraines are thought to be caused by a temporary widening of blood vessels in the head. Imigran nasal spray contains an active ingredient called sumatriptan which works to reduce the widening of the blood vessels and so relieves the symptoms associated with migraine headaches.

Current medications – there are some migraine medications which cannot be used alongside the Imigran nasal spray. If you’re already taking these you might not be able to use Imigran as well. See the 'Possible Drug Interactions' section to the right.

Personal circumstances – you should not use Imigran nasal spray if you:

• are allergic to Sumatriptan or any ingredients included in the Imigran nasal spray
• have a heart condition – narrowing of the arteries, angina, having had a heart attack previously
• have circulation problems in your legs
• have had a stroke in the past
• have high blood pressure
• have liver disease
• take any of the medications listed above

Take it properly – see the 'How To Use' section on the right.

Learn what triggers them – the exact cause of migraines is still unknown. However, there are some possible triggers that bring on migraines. If you know what they are you can avoid them:

• Hormonal changes – some women experience migraines around the same time as their period and changes in hormones at this time can cause migraines. This usually improves after the menopause
• Emotional changes – anxiety, stress, depression, tension,
• Physical triggers – tiredness, lack of sleep, poor posture, neck or shoulder tension, low blood sugar
• Some parts of your diet can cause migraines – caffeine containing foods/drinks, chocolate, cheese, citrus fruit, alcohol, skipping meals
• Environmental triggers – smoking, bright lights, television/computer/phone screens, loud noises
• Medication – contraceptive pill, hormone replacement therapy, sleeping tablets

Keeping a diary – if you keep a migraine diary, you may be able to identify potential triggers. You should make a note of:

• the date of your migraine
• the time it began
• if you had any warning signs
• the symptoms you experience
• any medication you’ve taken
• the date and time the attack finished

If the medication you’re taking for migraine attacks is not helping you should seek advice from your GP. They will be able to advise you further or refer you to a specialist if necessary.

Yes, there's a chance that you could get side effects from Imigran – see the 'Side Effects' section to the right for more details

What to do if you experience side effects? – many of these side effects will pass and some may be due to the migraine itself such as a feeling of nausea or vomiting. However, if they do not pass, consult your GP, pharmacist or nurse who may advise an alternative treatment. If you experience chest pain which is severe or persistent seek medical help immediately.

Imigran isn't for everyone – Imigran nasal spray may prove to not be the most effective treatment for your migraines. It may not work, or it could give you side effects that you can’t put up with. Migraine is not a clear-cut condition with the cause still unknown. Instead, it's a complex, neurological condition which can affect the whole body and not just the head. The symptoms can last up to 72 hours and sufferers can experience up to 13 attacks a year. Because of this, managing migraines is not always straightforward.

If this is the case, we also offer other treatment options including:

• sumatriptan 50mg/100mg tablets
• Maxalt Melt Oral 10mg
• anti-nausea medication – Buccastem M 3mg

Other treatment options – as well as treatments you may be unaware of the other help available to migraine patients like yourself, including:

• local support groups
• migraine charities – The Migraine Trust, Migraine Action
• acupuncture – an alternative form of treatment which may help prevent migraine attacks

Some people have migraines more than once a week, or the migraines can be severe and impact their life or work, even when they use treatments like Imigran. In this case it’s possible for your GP to prescribe you preventative treatment to take every day to try and stop the migraines from happening. If this might be right for you, we’d suggest that you talk to your GP about the options.