Imitrex (sumatriptan) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat migraine with or without an aura. It’s not known whether Imitrex may be safe to use while pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you can become pregnant, it’s important to consider whether Imitrex is a safe option for you.

It’s not known whether Imitrex is safe to use while pregnant. A pregnancy registry* that gathered data over a period of 16 years didn’t find a higher risk of problems with fetal development (commonly known as birth defects) if the drug is used during pregnancy. Still, more research is needed to reach a conclusion about the safety of using Imitrex during pregnancy.

If you have questions about using Imitrex while pregnant, talk with your doctor before starting treatment.

* A pregnancy registry is a collection of data from people who take certain medications during pregnancy. The purpose is to determine whether a drug may have negative effects if taken during pregnancy.

If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, it’s important to understand the effects that Imitrex could have on you or your child.

It’s not known whether it’s safe to use Imitrex while breastfeeding. The drug passes into breast milk, which means a child who is breastfed could be exposed to the drug.

It’s also not known what effects (if any) Imitrex may have on a child who is breastfed. But as a precaution, your doctor may recommend that you wait at least 12 hours after taking a dose of Imitrex before breastfeeding.

If you have questions about using Imitrex while breastfeeding, talk with your doctor.

The sections above describe the reproductive health information provided by the drug’s manufacturer. If your doctor prescribes Imitrex for you, they can provide more details.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor include:

  • Is any special monitoring necessary if I use Imitrex during pregnancy?
  • If I plan to breastfeed, which form of the drug would you recommend?
  • Are there other drugs that could treat my condition that are safer to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?

To learn more about Imitrex, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.