TheraRadar
Data updated: May 26, 2026

SUMATRIPTAN

Serotonin 1b Receptor Agonists
CNS Approved 2016-02-19

Sumatriptan nasal spray is a serotonin (5-HT 1B/1D) receptor agonist indicated for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adult patients. The medication is intended for use only after a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established and is not indicated for the prophylactic prevention of migraine attacks. It is specifically used for active migraine episodes rather than cluster headaches. If a patient does not respond to the initial treatment, the diagnosis of migraine should be reevaluated before further administration.

Source: FDA Label • PERRIGO UK FINCO • Serotonin-1b and Serotonin-1d Receptor Agonist

How SUMATRIPTAN Works

Sumatriptan functions as an agonist that binds with high affinity to human 5-HT 1B/1D receptors. By activating these receptors on intracranial blood vessels and sensory nerves within the trigeminal system, the drug promotes the constriction of cranial vessels. Additionally, this process inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory neuropeptides. These combined actions are the mechanism through which the drug exerts its therapeutic effects on migraine headaches.

Source: FDA Label
4
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
10
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
2016-02-19
Routes
NASAL
Dosage Forms
SPRAY

SUMATRIPTAN Approval History

2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
12 FDA actions from 2016 to 2024
Jun 2024 SUPPL
Mfg · Manufacturing (CMC)
Feb 2021 ORIGINAL
Update
Feb 2021 ORIGINAL
Update

What SUMATRIPTAN Treats

2 indications

SUMATRIPTAN is approved for 2 conditions since its original approval in 2016. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Migraine
  • Cluster Headache
Source: FDA Label

SUMATRIPTAN Competitive Set

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Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

Drugs Similar to SUMATRIPTAN

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Clinical Trial Registry

17 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT05108688 FMASU MD 209/2021 Ph 4 completed Mirtazapine vs Sumatriptan in the Treatment of Postdural Puncture Headache
NCT01430442 results posted CN170-003 Ph 2 completed Dose Ranging Study of Rimegepant (BMS-927711) for the Acute Treatment of Migraine
NCT00892203 CBGG492A2204 2008-005392-10 Ph 2 completed Efficacy and Safety of BGG492 in the Treatment of Migraine
NCT04197349 ALD1910-CLIN-001 18902A Ph 1 completed Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of ALD1910 in Healthy Men and Woman
NCT04355845 B7981025 Ph 1 completed A STUDY TO EVALUATE THE EFFECT OF PF-06651600 ON PHARMACOKINETICS OF SINGLE DOSE SUMATRIPTAN IN HEALTHY PARTICIPANTS.
NCT00804973 results posted 12258 I2W-MC-DMAB Ph 2 terminated Study in Participants With Acute Migraines Headaches
NCT03076970 results posted 16885 COL MIG-118, H8H-CD-LAHI Ph 1 completed Effect of Single Oral Doses of Lasmiditan When Coadministered With Single Oral Doses of Sumatriptan in Healthy Participants
NCT03310411 results posted 16926 H8H-MC-LAHU Ph 1 completed A Study of Lasmiditan When Given With Sumatriptan in Healthy Participants
NCT02932488 NP3 Ph 1 terminated Cerebral Pharmacodynamic Effects of 5-HT1B Receptor Stimulation
NCT02741310 results posted 20140255 2015-004537-28 Ph 1 completed Study to Evaluate the Effect of Erenumab on Blood Pressure When Given Concomitantly With Subcutaneous Sumatriptan
NCT01071317 results posted 09-08-248 Ph 4 completed Trial of Comprehensive Migraine Intervention
NCT01807234 KSPN results posted NA00075486 Ph 4 completed Comparison of Ketorolac Nasal Spray to Sumatriptan Nasal Spray and Placebo for Acute Treatment of Migraine
NCT01462812 results posted OPN-SUM-MIG-3301 Ph 3 completed Safety & Efficacy of a Single Dose of Sumatriptan Powder Delivered Intranasally With the Bi-directional Device in Adults With Acute Migraine
NCT01579383 ALD403-CLIN-001 Ph 1 completed Safety Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of ALD403
NCT01248468 results posted 176-P-401 Ph 4 completed Efficacy and Safety of Acetaminophen, Aspirin and Caffeine With Sumatriptan in the Acute Treatment of Migraine
NCT01507610 OPN-SUM-1302 Ph 1 completed Bioavailability Study to Compare OPTINOSE SUMATRIPTAN With IMITREX® in Healthy Subjects
NCT01016834 results posted ZX001-0901 Ph 4 completed Evaluation of Treatment Satisfaction and Preference for Sumavel DosePro in the Treatment of Migraine
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Active Pipeline

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Key Completed Trials

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

SUMATRIPTAN FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

SUMATRIPTAN is indicated for the treatment of Migraine; Cluster Headache.

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.