sumatriptan

noun

su·​ma·​trip·​tan ˌsü-mə-ˈtrip-ˌtan How to pronounce sumatriptan (audio) -tən How to pronounce sumatriptan (audio)
: a triptan C14H21N3O2S that is administered as a nasal spray or in the form of its succinate by mouth or by injection and is used in the treatment of migraine attacks

Examples of sumatriptan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Researchers found, for instance, that blood levels of CGRP rose during migraine attacks and returned to normal after a dose of sumatriptan relieved the headache. R. Allan Purdy, Scientific American, 1 May 2017 While some people are helped by low cost, over-the-counter drugs such as ibuprofen, others need stronger prescription medications, such as sumatriptan and ergotamine, which constrict the blood vessels in the brain and can cause dizziness or nausea. NBC News, 17 Apr. 2018 For example, the expensive migraine drug Treximet is actually a combination of two older, low-cost generic drugs: sumatriptan and naproxen. Consumer Reports, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2018 But the same website offers nine 100 mg tablets of sumatriptan for less than $16 and nine 500 mg naproxen tablets for about $5. Consumer Reports, Washington Post, 19 Mar. 2018 In many cases, treatment involves breathing pure oxygen; injecting sumatriptan, a drug used to treat migraines; or inhaling a nasal form of local anesthetic to relieve symptoms. Susie East, CNN, 3 Oct. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sumatriptan.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from suma- (by shortening & alteration from sulfonamide) + -triptan (by shortening & alteration from tryptamine)

First Known Use

1989, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sumatriptan was in 1989

Dictionary Entries Near sumatriptan

Cite this Entry

“Sumatriptan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sumatriptan. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

sumatriptan

noun
su·​ma·​trip·​tan ˌsü-mə-ˈtrip-ˌtan How to pronounce sumatriptan (audio) -tən How to pronounce sumatriptan (audio)
: a triptan C14H21N3O2S that is administered as a nasal spray or in the form of its succinate C14H21N3O2S·C4H6O4 either as an oral tablet or by injection and that is used in the treatment of migraine attacks
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