triptan

noun

trip·​tan ˈtrip-ˌtan  -tən 

: any of a class of drugs (such as sumatriptan) that bind to and are agonists of serotonin receptors and are used to treat migraine attacks

Examples of triptan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Ideally such pain relievers would be in pill form and would not constrict blood vessels, as triptans do. — R. Allan Purdy, Scientific American, 1 May 2017

In addition, medications known as triptans are used to treat migraines. — Maggie O'Neill, Health.com, 11 July 2019

Due to this mechanism, health experts say triptans might not be safe for people with cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure. — Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2023

This mode of action, however, means triptans are not considered safe for use by people at risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. — Meera Senthilingam, CNN, 19 Nov. 2019

Currently, the other non-pill rapid migraine relief medications on the market are in injection form and a nasal spray, but those are a class of medication known as triptans. — Mallory Rowley, ABC News, 10 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

-triptan (as in sumatriptan)

First Known Use

1997, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

triptan

noun

trip·​tan ˈtrip-ˌtan  -tən 

: any of a class of drugs (as sumatriptan) that bind to and are agonists of serotonin receptors, that are used to treat migraine attacks, and that are thought to function by producing vasoconstriction of cranial blood vessels, by inhibiting secretion of inflammatory neuropeptides, and by blocking neurotransmission of pain