Question 1

How can I lower the cost of my sumatriptan

Accepted Answer

You can lower cost of your sumatriptan using one of the 4 following drug savings programs: Rx Advantage Card for sumatriptan, Canadian Prescription Savings for sumatriptan, sumatriptan Drug Coupons, sumatriptan Patient Assistance Programs

Question 2

What dosages is sumatriptan available in?

Accepted Answer

sumatriptan is available as a 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg oral tablet.

Question 3

What is sumatriptan used for?

Accepted Answer

sumatriptan is a triptan and is used to treat migraine attacks with or without aura in adults.

Question 4

How does sumatriptan work?

Accepted Answer

sumatriptan is a triptan. It works by attaching to and turning on serotonin receptors in the blood vessels and nerves in your brain. This causes the blood vessels to tighten as well as lower the release of proteins that cause inflammation and pain. This is thought to help relieve migraines.

Question 5

How do I take sumatriptan?

Accepted Answer

sumatriptan is typically dosed as 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg by mouth for one single dose as soon as you get a migraine. If your migraine doesn’t go away or comes back after some improvement, you can take a second dose at least 2 hours after your first dose. Don’t take more than 200 mg in a 24-hour period. Your dose might differ if you have liver problems.

Question 6

Is it safe for me to take sumatriptan?

Accepted Answer

sumatriptan is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication if you have a history of coronary artery disease or coronary artery vasospasm, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or other cardiac accessory conduction pathway disorders, a history of stroke, transient ischemic attack, or hemiplegic or basilar migraine, peripheral vascular disease, ischemic bowel disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or recent (within 24 hours) use of another 5-HT1 agonist (e.g., another triptan) or of an ergotamine-containing medication.

Question 7

sumatriptan Common Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Common side effects of sumatriptan include:  Tingling or numbness of fingers or toes Feeling too warm or too cold Fatigue

Question 8

sumatriptan Serious Side Effects

Accepted Answer

Serious side effects are rare with sumatriptan. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following:

Heart problems: heart attack, dangerously high blood pressure, severe headache, chest pain, trouble breathing, irregular heartbeat
Stroke: sudden weakness on one side of your body, headache, changes in your speech or vision, confusion
Serotonin syndrome: fast heart rate, dizziness, sweating, flushing, tremor (shakiness), muscle stiffness or twitching, uncoordinated movement, hallucinations
Allergic reaction: rash or hives, swelling of face or throat, trouble breathing
Narrowing of blood vessels in the body: bloody diarrhea; severe stomach pain; partial or permanent blindness; tightness, weakness, numbness of legs or feet
Seizures

Question 9

Effects of other drugs, drug classes and over-the-counter products on sumatriptan

Accepted Answer

The following medications may interact with sumatriptan:  Ergot-Containing Drugs: Ergot-containing drugs have been reported to cause prolonged vasospastic reactions. Because these effects may be additive, use of ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medications (like dihydroergotamine or methysergide) and sumatriptan tablets within 24 hours of each other is contraindicated Monoamine Oxidase-A Inhibitors: MAO-A inhibitors increase systemic exposure by 7-fold. Therefore, the use of sumatriptan tablets in patients receiving MAO-A inhibitors is contraindicated Other 5-HT1 Agonists: Because their vasospastic effects may be additive, coadministration of sumatriptan tablets andother 5-HT1 agonists (e.g., triptans) within 24 hours of each other is contraindicated Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors/Serotonin Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors: Cases of serotonin syndrome have been reported during coadministration of triptans and SSRIs SNRIs, TCAs, and MAO inhibitors

Question 10

Who makes sumatriptan?

Accepted Answer

Various FDA-approved generic manufacturers

Question 11

Is sumatriptan safe in pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

sumatriptan may cause harm to your unborn baby based on animal studies. You should talk to your healthcare provider before taking this medication if you are pregnant.

Question 12

What is the brand name for sumatriptan?

Accepted Answer

IMITREX

Question 13

How can NowPatient help me to lower the cost of my sumatriptan prescription?

Accepted Answer

After you create a FREE account with NowPatient, you will have access to 4 programs that can help lower the cost of your sumatriptan prescription

Applicability to each program will be dependent on your insurance status.

Question 14

How do the NowPatient sumatriptan savings programs work?

Accepted Answer

After you have created your FREE account with NowPatient, you can access the various programs from your account dashboard. Each program has clear instructions on how to check your eligibility. You can see how the process works by clicking on the feature link below and seeing the ‘How it works’ steps.

Drug Coupon and Patient Assistance Programs require an eligibility quiz to be completed.

Question 15

Are the NowPatient sumatriptan savings programs suitable for everyone, regardless of insurance status?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has its own eligibility and applicability requirements. The table below shows if a program is available to you, based on your insurance status.

	Rx Advantage Card* for sumatriptan	Canadian Prescription Savings* for sumatriptan	sumatriptan Drug Coupon*	sumatriptan Patient Assistance Program*
Insured (federal, state or government)	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured (Commercial or Private)	Available	Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Uninsured	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Insured but without pharmacy benefit or drug coverage	Available	Available	Not Available	Available If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company

*This is not insurance.

Question 16

Are the NowPatient drug savings programs suitable for brand and generic versions of sumatriptan?

Accepted Answer

No. Each program has applicability requirements. Please see below

	Rx Advantage Card* for sumatriptan	Canadian Prescription Savings* for sumatriptan	sumatriptan Drug Coupon*	sumatriptan Patient Assistance Program*
Brand	Yes	Yes	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company	Yes, If Offered by Pharmaceutical Company
Generic	Yes	Yes	No	No

*This is not insurance.

Question 17

If you have Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage and none of the sumatriptan savings options are applicable or affordable for me, what can you do?

Accepted Answer

If you are insured with Medicare and the sumatriptan drug savings options are not applicable to you and still remain unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and after you have selected your state, it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

People who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid are called ‘dual eligibles’.

If you are denied Medicaid for sumatriptan, and you are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance element (for example if you are in the coverage gap or Donut Hole) then you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low Income Subsidy. To be eligible for Low Income Subsidy, you need to be a resident in one of the 50 States or the District of Columbia. You can check eligibility online at SSA Medicare D Extra Help. You can also call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Question 18

I am uninsured or underinsured and none of the sumatriptan prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If you are uninsured or underinsured (for example, sumatriptan is not covered by your plan) and the drug savings options are not applicable or still unaffordable, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.

If you are denied and all else fails, and if you have been prescribed sumatriptan for an FDA-approved indication, you can call the pharmaceutical company to see if they have any other assistance programs.

Question 19

I am commercially or privately insured and none of the sumatriptan prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

If your medication is not covered by your plan, you can appeal your insurance company’s decision. Sometimes, a formal appeal can result in the drug being covered if it is deemed medically necessary.

If you cannot afford your copay contribution, then you can check Medicaid eligibility in your state by following the instructions at HealthCare.gov.

However, being privately insured might complicate your eligibility for Medicaid, as having private insurance may be considered in the financial eligibility assessment.

The government site is easy to use and you can select your state and it will navigate you to the appropriate contact point to make the application. If you qualify, state Medicaid may cover the full cost of your medication.

Question 20

If I have federal, state or commercial insurance and none of the sumatriptan prescription saving options are applicable or affordable for me, are there any other support organisations that can help me with my co-insurance or copay contributions?

Accepted Answer

If you have already tried Medicaid and received a denial letter or if you are insured with Medicare and have been denied Low-Income Subsidy, then you can try one of the following organizational support programs:

1. Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN) assistance for sumatriptan

If you are having trouble paying for your sumatriptan medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the Patient Access Network Foundation (PAN), may be able to assist you. To qualify for PAN assistance for sumatriptan you will need to meet one or all of the following criteria:

Your income is below 400% of the federal poverty level
sumatriptan is prescribed for an approved FDA indication
You live in and receive treatment in the United States or U.S. territories, even if you do not have U.S. citizenship
You have Medicare insurance coverage that covers sumatriptan
If sumatriptan is listed on PAN’s list of covered medications

You can check the Patient Access Network Foundation Website for more information.

2. HealthWell Foundation Copay Program for sumatriptan

If you are having trouble paying for your sumatriptan medication due to unaffordable copays or deductibles, the HealthWell Foundation Copay Program may be able to assist you. To qualify for assistance for sumatriptan you will need to meet the following criteria:

You live in and are being treated in the United States
You are insured and your plan covers sumatriptan
If sumatriptan is listed on the HealthWell Foundation’s list of covered medications

You can check the HealthWell Foundation Website for more information.

3. Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program for sumatriptan

Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program exists to help reduce the financial distress you or your family may face when paying for your sumatriptan treatment. If you qualify and can demonstrate the need, the foundation will provide you with direct payment covering co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles. To qualify for assistance for sumatriptan you will need to meet the following criteria:

You must be currently insured and have coverage for sumatriptan
You must have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan
You must reside and receive treatment in the United States
Your Income must fall at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) with consideration for the Cost of Living Index (COLI) and number in the household
Applications can also be completed by contacting the program sponsor, toll-free at 866-512-3861.

You can check the Patient Advocate Foundation Website for more information.