Sumatriptan (Imitrex)

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About Sumatriptan

What it is

Sumatriptan was the first triptan, a migraine medicine that activates serotonin 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors: it narrows the swollen blood vessels around the brain and blocks the release of pain-signalling substances from nerves. It is taken at the start of a migraine or cluster headache attack, as tablets, nasal spray or injection. It is sold as Imitrex and Imigran, among other names.

How genes come into it

Sumatriptan is broken down mainly by the enzyme monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), not by CYP enzymes. Studies have looked at SLC22A1 (OCT1), a liver transporter whose low-function versions raise sumatriptan levels, and at its target receptor gene HTR1B and GNB3 for how well it relieved headaches. The findings come from single or a few studies, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and Sumatriptan. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Rated evidence (8 rated variants)

PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.

HTR1B rs130060: Level 3. PD. 2.

GNB3 rs5443: Level 3. Efficacy: Cluster Headache. 1.

OPRM1 rs1799971: Level 3. Other: Substance Withdrawal Syndrome. 1.

DBH rs1611115: Level 3. Other: Substance Withdrawal Syndrome. 1.

Metabolism (5 findings)

Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.

SLC22A1 rs12208357: Allele T (assigned as low activity phenotype) is associated with increased exposure to sumatriptan in healthy individuals as compared to allele C (assigned as high activity phenotype) .

SLC22A1 rs34059508: Allele A (assigned as low activity phenotype) is associated with increased exposure to sumatriptan in healthy individuals as compared to allele G (assigned as high activity phenotype) .

SLC22A1 rs34130495: Allele A (assigned as low activity phenotype) is associated with increased exposure to sumatriptan in healthy individuals as compared to allele G (assigned as high activity phenotype) .

SLC22A1 rs55918055: Allele C (assigned as low activity phenotype) is associated with increased exposure to sumatriptan in healthy individuals as compared to allele T (assigned as high activity phenotype) .

Response (11 findings)

Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.

GNB3 rs5443: Genotype CT is associated with increased response to sumatriptan in people with Cluster Headache as compared to genotype CC.

GRIA1 rs2195450: Allele A is not associated with response to almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan or zolmitriptan in people with Migraine without Aura as compared to allele G.

GRIA1 rs548294: Allele C is not associated with response to almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan or zolmitriptan in people with Migraine without Aura as compared to allele T.

HTR1B rs11568817: Allele C is not associated with response to sumatriptan in people with Migraine without Aura as compared to allele A.

Other findings (1 finding)

Studies that do not fall into the groups above.

SLC22A1 rs1349294037: Genotype TAAGTTGT/TAAGTTGT is associated with increased concentrations of sumatriptan as compared to genotype del/del.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Maxalt (Triptans)

Triptans (class) (Triptans)

Abilify (Antipsychotics)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

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Content updated September 2026.

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