sumatriptan

noun

su·​ma·​trip·​tan ˌsü-mə-ˈtrip-ˌtan  -tən 

: a triptan C₁₄H₂₁N₃O₂S that is administered as a nasal spray or in the form of its succinate by mouth or by injection and is used in the treatment of migraine attacks

Examples of sumatriptan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers found, for instance, that blood levels of CGRP rose during migraine attacks and returned to normal after a dose of sumatriptan relieved the headache. —R. Allan Purdy, Scientific American, 1 May 2017

While some people are helped by low cost, over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen, others need stronger prescription medications, such as sumatriptan and ergotamine, which constrict the blood vessels in the brain and can cause dizziness or nausea. —NBC News, 17 Apr. 2018

For example, the expensive migraine drug Treximet is actually a combination of two older, low-cost generic drugs: sumatriptan and naproxen. —Consumer Reports, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2018

But the same website offers nine 100 mg tablets of sumatriptan for less than $16 and nine 500 mg naproxen tablets for about $5. —Consumer Reports, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2018

In many cases, treatment involves breathing pure oxygen; injecting sumatriptan, a drug used to treat migraines; or inhaling a nasal form of local anesthetic to relieve symptoms. —Susie East, CNN, 3 Oct. 2017

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from suma- (by shortening & alteration from sulfonamide) + -triptan (by shortening & alteration from tryptamine)

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

sumatriptan

noun

su·​ma·​trip·​tan ˌsü-mə-ˈtrip-ˌtan  -tən 

: a triptan C₁₄H₂₁N₃O₂S that is administered as a nasal spray or in the form of its succinate C₁₄H₂₁N₃O₂S·C₄H₆O₄ either as an oral tablet or by injection and that is used in the treatment of migraine attacks