Imitrex and Alcohol Interaction

Imitrex and Alcohol

Imitrex generic name sumatriptan is also sold under the brand name Imitex Nasal and is a headache medicine that narrows blood vessels around the brain and works by reducing substances in the body that triggers headache pain, sensitivity to light, to sound and other migraine symptoms.

The drug is used to treat migraine headaches and will only treat a headache that has started but will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

It should not be used to treat a common tension headache, a headache that causes loss of movement on one side of your body or any headache that is different from your usual migraine headache. Use this drug only when advised by your physician.

Do not consume alcohol while using Imitrex as the side effects will be greatly increased.

At this time the medical community defines moderate consumption of alcohol as no more than two drinks per day and no more than 14 drinks per week. Anything more than that is considered an unhealthy dependency on alcohol that may have adverse social, family and health consequences.

If a person drinks only once or twice a week but drinks on the same days each week and more than two drinks this is considered as an alcohol dependency.

If a person binge drinks at any time during the week this is also considered as alcoholism.

Some consider alcoholism as a disease while others consider it an addiction which is the result of personal choice and character fault. This school of thought blames the alcoholism on life style choices.

Personally I consider alcoholism a genetic tendency as I have seen families of alcoholics even when they live far apart. These unfortunate people are probably dependent on alcohol from the first drink.

When alcohol interacts with prescription over the counter drugs it usually results in negative health effects most especially liver damage as the main organ affected.

Do not use this drug if allergic to it, if you have a history of heart disease, coronary heart disease, angina, blood circulation problems, lack of blood supply to the heart, uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe liver disease, ischemic bowel disease or a history of heart attack or stroke.

Before using this drug advise your physician if you are allergic to this or any other drug or substance, are pregnant, plan to be so, are breast feeding have coronary disease, angina, blood circulation problems, history of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, mini-stroke, severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure, liver disease, ischemic bowel disease or a different kind of headache, epilepsy, seizure.

Side Effects

Less serious side effects are mild headache, pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body, feeling hot or cold, dizziness, spinning sensation, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, drooling, unusual taste in mouth after using nasal spray, burning, numbness, pain or irritation in nose or throat after using nasal spray, burning, numbness pain or irritation after using nasal spray, warmth, redness or tingling under the skin. If these occur call your physician for advice.

Serious side effects are pain and tightness in the neck, jaw or throat, chest pain or heavy feeling spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling, sudden numb or weak on one side of the body, sudden severe headache, confusion, vision, speech, balance problems, sudden and severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, numb tingling pale or blue colored appearance in fingers or toes or if taken withan antidepressant, agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination or fainting. If these occur get emergency medical help.

Imitrex and Alcohol Imitrex and Alcohol Imitrex and Alcohol

This site serves as an information source only and does not dispense medical advice or any other kind of advice. If you are seeking medical advice you are advised to consult your own physician.

Drugs and Alcohol

Return from Imitrex and Alcohol to home page

Hard copy and E book for sale. What's Killing You and What You Can Do About It. Click here.

Hard copy and E book for sale. Introduction to Building Mechanical Systems. Click here.