THE CLINICAL PROFILE OF SUMATRIPTAN - SAFETY AND TOLERABILITY

The safety and tolerability of sumatriptan have been extensively studi ed. The majority of adverse events (defined as any medical event irres pective of possible causal relationship to treatment) were mild to mod erate in intensity, transient and resolved spontaneously. In short-ter m studies, the most frequently reported adverse events were nausea, vo miting, dizziness, vertigo, malaise, fatigue, injection-site reactions , heaviness, pressure, feelings of warmth and headache. The adverse ev ent profile was unchanged during longterm open treatment and was unaff ected by frequency of treatment with sumatriptan. In 3-5% of patients, the symptoms of pressure and warmth were experienced in the chest, bu t extensive investigations, including ECG monitoring, have indicated t hat these symptoms are not normally associated with cardiac dysfunctio n.