Tosymra (sumatriptan) is a prescription drug used to treat migraine. The drug comes as a nasal spray. You usually use a single dose, which may be repeated two more times in a 24-hour period if needed.
Tosymra is used in adults to treat migraine with or without aura. An aura is a warning sign that some people have before a migraine occurs. These signs may include changes in vision or speech and tingling sensations.
The active ingredient in Tosymra is sumatriptan. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Tosymra belongs to a group of drugs called triptans or serotonin (5-HT) agonists.
This article describes the dosage of Tosymra, as well as its strength and how to use it. To learn more about Tosymra, see this in-depth article.
This section describes the usual dosages of Tosymra. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Tosymra’s form?
Tosymra is available as a device that delivers one dose of nasal spray.
What strength does Tosymra come in?
Tosymra comes in one strength of 10 milligrams (mg) per nasal spray device.
What are the usual dosages of Tosymra?
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to use the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. They’ll determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for migraine
The typical Tosymra dosage for adults to treat migraine with or without aura is one spray into one nostril. If symptoms have not lessened or the migraine returns, you can use an additional dose. Separate doses by at least 1 hour.
The maximum dosage is 3 sprays (doses) in a 24-hour period.
Is Tosymra used long term?
Tosymra is usually a long-term treatment, but it’s not used on a constant basis. You and your doctor can discuss whether it’s safe and effective for your condition. If you agree that it is, you’ll use it only as necessary when you have a migraine episode.
The dosage of Tosymra your doctor prescribes may depend on certain factors. These include the severity of the migraine episode.
Tosymra is available as a device that delivers one dose of nasal spray.
Once the first migraine symptoms occur, you’ll spray Tosymra once into your nostril. Or instead you can use Tosymra at any time during the migraine episode.
If your migraine returns or the first dose does not provide enough relief, you can spray another dose after 1 hour has passed. You can use a maximum of 3 doses in a 24-hour period, but doses must be at least 1 hour apart. You’ll need a new device for each dose.
If you used a dose of another sumatriptan product, you may administer a Tosymra dose 1 hour after that.
Using Tosymra nasal spray
Before spraying a dose of Tosymra, sit upright and blow your nose. Grip the device correctly. You should have a finger on both sides of the top of the plunger and your thumb at the bottom of the plunger. (You’ll push the plunger upward to spray Tosymra.)
To spray a dose:
- Press one nostril closed.
- Insert the tip of the nozzle into your open nostril. Do not angle the nozzle straight up. Instead, point it toward the outer side of your nostril, still keeping it inserted.
- Tilting your head back slightly, then breathe in slowly while you press the plunger up firmly to release the spray. Remove the nozzle from your nostril, and stop pressing your other nostril closed.
- Gently breathe in from your nose and out through your mouth for 10–20 seconds.
For more information about administering doses of Tosymra, watch the video on the drugmaker’s website.
Some people may need to administer their first dose of Tosymra at a doctor’s office. Ask your doctor if you need to do so.
For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Tosymra, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Accessible drug containers and labels
Some pharmacies provide medication labels that:
- have large print
- use braille
- feature a code you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio
Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.
Do not use more Tosymra than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.
What to do in case you use too much Tosymra
Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve used too much Tosymra. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 (or your local emergency number) or go to the nearest emergency room.
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Tosymra’s dosage.
Is Tosymra’s dosage similar to the dosage of Imitrex or Zomig?
The forms and how often you take each drug are similar. Tosymra, Imitrex (sumatriptan), and Zomig (zolmitriptan) are nasal sprays that you use at the start of migraine symptoms.
Some differences among the three drugs are how often you can repeat doses and the time between them. The dose in milligrams for each drug differs as well.
Imitrex also comes as a solution for injection under your skin and an oral tablet.
Your doctor will prescribe the drug and the dosage that’s right for you. To learn more about how these drugs compare, talk with your doctor.
How long does it take for Tosymra to start working?
Because of how Tosymra works, you should feel it working in your body within 1 hour after a dose.
Your doctor will monitor you during treatment. They’ll watch for the number of migraine episodes you have and how often you use Tosymra. This helps them check for medication overuse headache. This type of daily headache occurs from taking migraine medication very often.
If you have other questions about what to expect from your Tosymra treatment, talk with your doctor.
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by Tosymra’s drugmaker. If your doctor recommends this drug, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Remember, you should not change your dosage of Tosymra without your doctor’s recommendation. Only use Tosymra exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- I’m concerned that using Tosymra very often might cause me to develop medication overuse headache. So what should I avoid when using Tosymra?
- If I use another sumatriptan medication, how many doses of Tosymra can I use in 24 hours?
- Do I need to switch nostrils for a second dose of Tosymra?
To learn more about Tosymra, see this “Tosymra (sumatriptan)” article.
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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.