Imitrex Long-Term Side Effects: What You Need to Know

Imitrex is a prescription medication used to treat migraine headaches. Despite its effectiveness, Imitrex poses a risk for side effects in some patients, particularly with long-term use.

Types of Common Side Effects

• Common side effects of Imitrex include nasal burning or discharge, changes in taste, dizziness, drowsiness, feelings of warmness or heat, numbness, tightness, coldness, weakness, flushing, light-headedness, muscle cramps or stiffness, nausea, vomiting and irritation of your jaw, mouth, tongue, throat and nose, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Time Frame

• Common side effects of Imitrex typically begin within weeks of taking the drug, and may linger throughout your use of Imitrex to some extent. More severe risks usually take several months of use in order to develop.

Risks

• Some patients develop a serious condition known as Serotonin Sydrome while taking Imitrex due to an excessive amount of a brain chemical known as serotonin. This condition causes hallucinations, rapid heart rate, hyperthermia and lack of coordination reports the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on RxList.com.

Warning

• Some patients suffer heart attacks and stroke from long-term use of Imitrex. In some cases, these cardiovascular events are fatal, according to the FDA.

Precautions

• A certain class of drugs known as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) increase your risk of developing Serotonin Syndrome when taken with Imitrex long-term, according to the FDA. Examples of SSRI drugs include Celexa, Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil, Pexeva and Zoloft.