Sumatriptan

Sumatriptan is a triptan medication used to treat acute migraine attacks and cluster headaches. It activates serotonin 5-HT₁B and 5-HT₁D receptors, reducing pain signaling and cranial blood-vessel dilation.

5-HT₁B receptor: A serotonin receptor subtype found on cranial blood vessels and other tissues; its activation can constrict blood vessels. Sumatriptan activates this receptor, contributing to cranial vasoconstriction.
Migraine: A neurological disorder involving recurrent attacks of headache and associated symptoms such as nausea or sensitivity to light. Sumatriptan is used to relieve acute migraine attacks, not to prevent future ones.
Ergotamine: An ergot-derived medicine that constricts blood vessels and has been used to treat migraine. It is an older vasoconstrictive migraine treatment with a different receptor profile and safety limits.
Triptan: A class of serotonin-receptor agonist medicines used mainly for acute migraine treatment. Sumatriptan is the first developed and a widely used member of this drug class.
5-HT₁ receptor: A family of serotonin receptors that includes the 5-HT₁B and 5-HT₁D subtypes. Research on this receptor family helped identify the target profile behind sumatriptan.
5-HT₁D receptor: A serotonin receptor subtype involved in regulating neurotransmitter release and pain signaling. Sumatriptan activates this receptor to reduce trigeminal signaling associated with migraine.
Cluster headache: A primary headache disorder marked by severe, recurring attacks of one-sided orbital or temporal pain. Subcutaneous sumatriptan can rapidly treat acute cluster headache attacks.
Lasmiditan: A migraine medicine that selectively activates serotonin 5-HT₁F receptors. Unlike sumatriptan, it does not cause vasoconstriction through 5-HT₁B receptors.
Serotonin syndrome: A potentially serious condition caused by excessive serotonergic activity, with symptoms affecting mental state, autonomic function, and muscles. Combining sumatriptan with other serotonergic medicines can rarely contribute to this syndrome.
Graham Collier: A British pharmacologist associated with early research into serotonin and migraine. His research helped shape the serotonin-based rationale for developing triptan medicines.

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