Imigran 20 mg Spray

IMIGRAN Nasal Spray contains a single dose of sumatriptan, which belongs to a group of medicines called triptan. IMIGRAN Nasal Spray is used to treat migraines.

Do not use IMIGRAN Nasal Spray :

• if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to sumatriptan or any of the other ingredients in IMIGRAN Nasal Spray. For list of ingredients, see section 6
• if you have a heart problem such as heart failure or chest pains (angina), or have already had a heart attack
• if you have circulation problems in your legs that cause cramp-like pains when you walk (peripheral vascular disease)
• if you have had a stroke or a mini stroke (also called a transient ischaemic attack or TIA)
• if you have liver disease, check with your doctor. If your liver problems are severe then IMIGRAN is not suitable for you
• with other migraine medicines, including those which contain ergotamine, or similar medicines such as methysergide
• with anti-depressants called MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), or if you have taken these medicines in the last two weeks.

If you think any of these apply to you, don’t use IMIGRAN Nasal Spray until you have checked with your doctor.

Do not share medicines prescribed for you with any other person. Always use IMIGRAN Nasal Spray exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor if you are not sure. The usual dose for adults aged 18 to 65 years, is one 20 mg spray into just one nostril. Use IMIGRAN Nasal Spray as soon as your migraine begins. IMIGRAN Nasal Spray can also be taken at any time after the headache has started. Do not use IMIGRAN nasal spray to try to prevent an attack.

If your symptoms start to come back, you may take a second IMIGRAN spray no sooner than two hours after the first spray. Do not use more than two sprays in 24 hours. If the first spray has no effect, don’t use a second spray or any other IMIGRAN preparation for the same attack. If IMIGRAN doesn’t give you any relief, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

How to use:

1. Don’t open a blister until you are ready to use a spray. Each spray is sealed in a blister to keep it clean and safe. If you carry a spray without a blister, or in an open blister, it may not work properly when you need it.
2. Each spray contains just one dose of IMIGRAN Nasal Spray. Don’t press the plunger too soon or you will lose the dose.
3. IMIGRAN nasal spray has three parts:

How to use the nasal spray :

1. Remove the nasal spray from the blister packaging just before you want to use it.
2. Get into a comfortable position. You may prefer to sit down. The nozzle The part that you put into your nostril. The spray comes out of a tiny hole in the top. The finger-grip Hold this when you use the spray The blue plunger Press this to spray the whole dose into your nostril in one go. This only works once - don’t press the plunger until you have put the nozzle into your nostril, or you will lose the dose.
3. Blow your nose if it feels blocked, or if you have a cold.
4. Hold the nasal spray gently with your fingers and thumb as shown in picture A. Don’t press the blue plunger yet.
5. Block one nostril by pressing a finger firmly on the side of your nose. It doesn’t matter which nostril you choose.
6. Put the nozzle of the nasal spray into the other nostril, as far as feels comfortable – about 1cm or ½ inch (picture B) Breathe out gently through your mouth. Hold your head upright and close your mouth.
7. Start to breathe in gently through your nose. As you breathe in: Press the blue plunger firmly with your thumb. The plunger may feel a bit stiff, and you may feel it click. Keep breathing in while spraying (picture C).
8. Remove the spray and remove your finger from the side of your nose. Keep your head upright for 10 - 20 seconds, breathing gently in through your nose and out through your mouth. This helps the medicine stay in your nose. Your nose may feel wet inside and you may notice a slight taste after using the spray – this is normal and will soon pass.
9. Your nasal spray is now empty. Throw it away safely and hygienically.

If you use more IMIGRAN Nasal Spray than you should: Using too much IMIGRAN Nasal Spray could make you ill. In the event of overdosage, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If neither available, contact the nearest hospital or poison centre. If possible, show them the IMIGRAN Nasal Spray pack.

IMIGRAN Nasal spray can have side effects. Not all the side effects reported for IMIGRAN Nasal Spray are included in this leaflet. Should your general health worsen or if you experience any untoward effects while using IMIGRAN Nasal Spray, please consult your healthcare provider for advice.

Allergic reactions: If any of the following happens, tell your doctor immediately or go the casualty department at your nearest hospital:

• raised and itchy rash (hives)
• swelling sometimes of the face or mouth (angioedema) causing difficulty in breathing
• collapse.

These are all very serious side effects. If you have them, you may have had a serious allergic reaction to IMIGRAN Nasal Spray. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. Do not use anymore IMIGRAN Nasal Spray.

Frequent side effects include:

• feeling dizzy, feeling tired or drowsy, unusual sensations including numbness, tingling and feeling hot or cold
• temporary increase in blood pressure, getting hot flushes
• feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting), although this may be due to the migraine itself
• pain, heaviness or pressure in any part of the body including the chest and throat
• shortness of breath
• irritation or burning sensation in your nose or throat, nosebleed
• feeling weak.

Other side effects include:

• allergic reaction
• seizures (fits), tremors, muscle spasm, neck stiffness
• visual disturbances such as flickering, reduced vision, double vision, loss of vision, and in some cases even permanent defects (although these may be due to the migraine attack itself)
• heart problems where your heartbeat may go faster (tachycardia), slower (bradycardia) or change rhythm (cardiac dysrhythmias) or heart attack
• feeling faint (blood pressure may go down)
• pale, blue-tinged skin and/or pain in your fingers, toes, ears, nose or jaw in response to cold or stress (Raynaud’s phenomenon)
• pain in the lower left side of the stomach and bloody diarrhoea (ischaemic colitis).

If you have a blood test to check how your liver is functioning and you have taken IMIGRAN Nasal Spray, tell your doctor as using IMIGRAN Nasal Spray may affect the results. If you notice any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.

Reporting of side effects: If you get side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You can also report side effects to SAHPRA via the “6.04 Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Form”, found online under SAHPRA’s publications: https://www.sahpra.org.za/Publications/Index/8. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of IMIGRAN Nasal Spray.

Store all medicines out of reach of children. Store at or below 30 ºC. Keep the nasal spray in its sealed blister in the carton to protect it from light. Do not use after the expiry date on the carton. Return all unused medicine to your pharmacist.

Do not dispose of unused medicine in drains or sewerage systems (e.g. toilets).