Sumatriptan 50 mg: uses, price & cheaper substitutes
Prescription required (Schedule H)
Common uses: Migraine attacks – relieving the headache, nausea and sensitivity to light and sound once an attack has started; Cluster headache (usually as injection or nasal spray; tablets are sometimes used).
Listed MRPs range from ₹34.78 to ₹59.86 per tablet across 4 listings. Use only on a doctor's prescription.
Price comparison
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | MRP | ₹ / tablet | As on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sumitrex 50 | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd | 1 | ₹34.78 | ₹34.78 | 19 October 2026 |
| Sumitop 50 | Healing Pharma India Pvt Ltd | 10 | ₹375.00 | ₹37.50 | 19 October 2026 |
| Sumatan 50 | Cmg Biotech Pvt Ltd | 10 | ₹528.75 | ₹52.88 | 19 October 2026 |
| Suminat 50 | Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd | 1 | ₹59.86 | ₹59.86 | 19 October 2026 |
MRPs as printed/listed on the date shown; actual price may vary.
Uses
- Migraine attacks – relieving the headache, nausea and sensitivity to light and sound once an attack has started.
- Cluster headache (usually as injection or nasal spray; tablets are sometimes used).
- It does not prevent migraines and is not for ordinary tension headaches.
How to take it
Take one 50 mg tablet with water as soon as the migraine headache starts – not during the aura phase. Swallow it whole; it can be taken with or without food. If the headache improves and then returns, you may take a second tablet after at least 2 hours, but do not take a second dose for the same attack if the first did not work at all. Do not exceed the daily maximum your doctor sets, and do not use it on more than a few days a month – frequent use causes medication-overuse headache. If you need it often, ask your doctor about a preventive medicine.
Side effects
Common
- Tingling, warmth or heaviness in the face, limbs or chest.
- Flushing.
- Tiredness, drowsiness, dizziness.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Muscle aches.
Serious
Stop and get medical help urgently if you notice any of these.
- Severe chest pain or tightness, pain spreading to the arm or jaw – could be a heart attack; call for emergency help.
- Sudden weakness, slurred speech, severe headache different from your migraine (stroke).
- Serious allergic reaction with swelling of the face or throat.
- Agitation, fast heartbeat, high fever, muscle twitching when combined with antidepressants (serotonin syndrome).
Safety information
Alcohol
Alcohol is a migraine trigger and adds to drowsiness; avoid it during an attack.
Pregnancy
Use only if your doctor decides it is needed. If breastfeeding, express and discard milk for 12 hours after a dose.
Kidney problems
Tell your doctor about kidney disease; it may not be suitable.
Liver problems
Not for people with severe liver disease; a lower dose may be used in milder liver problems.
Children
Tablets are not recommended under 18; the nasal spray is sometimes used from 12 years.
Missed dose
Not applicable – it is taken only when a migraine starts. Never take an extra dose to make up for one you feel you should have taken earlier.
Interactions
- Ergotamine or other triptans (rizatriptan, zolmitriptan) – do not take within 24 hours of each other; blood vessels narrow too much.
- Antidepressants – SSRIs (sertraline, escitalopram, fluoxetine), SNRIs (duloxetine, venlafaxine) and MAO inhibitors – risk of serotonin syndrome.
- Lithium and St John's wort – same risk.
- Painkillers like paracetamol or naproxen can be combined for a migraine; ask your doctor about combinations.
Frequently asked questions
When should I take Suminat 50 – at the start of aura or the headache?
At the start of the headache. Taking it during the aura (before the pain) is less effective. The sooner after the headache begins, the better it works.
Can I take a second Suminat 50 if the first does not work?
If the first dose gave no relief at all, do not take another for the same attack. If the headache improved and came back, you may take a second tablet after at least 2 hours, within the daily maximum your doctor set.
Is Suminat 50 safe for people with high blood pressure or heart disease?
Sumatriptan narrows blood vessels and is not suitable for uncontrolled BP, angina, past heart attack, stroke or peripheral artery disease. Your doctor will check before prescribing.
Can I take Suminat 50 with alcohol?
Avoid alcohol during a migraine attack – it is a trigger and worsens the drowsiness and dizziness that sumatriptan can cause.
Does Suminat 50 prevent migraines?
No. It treats an attack once it has started. If you get frequent attacks, ask your doctor about preventive medicines such as propranolol, flunarizine or topiramate.
Can I take Suminat 50 with paracetamol or Dolo?
Yes, a simple painkiller such as paracetamol or naproxen can be combined with a triptan for a severe attack. Avoid combining with ergot medicines (Vasograin) or another triptan within 24 hours.
Why does my chest feel tight after sumatriptan?
A feeling of pressure, heaviness or tingling in the chest or throat is a common, usually harmless side effect. However, severe or crushing chest pain, especially spreading to the arm or jaw, needs emergency care.
Is sumatriptan safe in pregnancy?
Only if your doctor judges it necessary. Paracetamol is tried first; if you are breastfeeding, pump and discard milk for 12 hours after a dose.
Sources
- NHS – Sumatriptan (19 October 2026)
- NPPA Pharma Sahi Daam (ceiling prices) (19 October 2026)
- PMBI Jan Aushadhi Product & MRP List (19 October 2026)
Medyzen Editorial Team · Last updated
This page is general information, not medical advice. Do not start, stop or change a medicine without asking a doctor or pharmacist. Terms