Activation of pain by sumatriptan.
OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate that sumatriptan may induce activation or aggravation of pain at sites of inflammation caused by trauma or disease.


METHODS
Case reports from the national pharmaco vigilancecenters of 2 countries, The Netherlands and New Zealand, are presented. These reports come from programs that use 2 methodologies to monitor drugs for adverse reactions: spontaneous reporting and a prospective observational cohort study. The potential mechanisms for pain production by sumatriptan are discussed in detail.


RESULTS
Thirteen case reports of activation of pain by sumatriptan following injury and 8 associated with inflammatory diseases are presented. Most patients had one or more positive rechallenges. This type of reaction occurred at a higher rate with the subcutaneous formulation than with the oral preparation. Pain mostly was severe but short-lasting; pain was prolonged in some patients with inflammatory disease.


CONCLUSIONS
A strong association has been demonstrated between the use of sumatriptan and the production of pain at sites of inflammation, and there is a plausible pharmacological mechanism for this reaction. Pain activation may be a class effect of the selective serotonergic agonists used in the treatment of migraine.
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000503:physiopathology; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018170:Sumatriptan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology
D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D018170:Sumatriptan