Does Imitrex have Aspirin in it?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Does Imitrex have Aspirin in it?
No, Imitrex (Sumatriptan) does not have Aspirin in it. These two meds are entirely different and are used for different clinical purposes. Imitrex and Aspirin work in different ways, target different receptors in your body and have different side effects profiles.
Aspirin is available over the counter, but Imitrex is a prescription medication and should only be used if your doctor has prescribed it.
Differences between Imitrex and Aspirin
Imitrex is quite different from Aspirin. Let’s pen down the basic differences:
Mechanism of action and clinical efficacy
Imitrex is primarily used for the management and treatment of migraine headaches. It’s a serotonin receptor agonist, which basically causes the construction of blood vessels in your brain(1).
This way, the signal of the brain that triggers migraine is disrupted and symptoms like headache, nausea, dizziness, etc are relieved. Imitrex is an overall well-tolerated medication.
Although it doesn’t reduce the frequency of your migraine attacks or prevent them, it does reduce the intensity of the pain – which is the biggest relief for someone suffering from these terrible headaches.
Aspirin, on the other hand, is an OTC painkiller which is used to manage fever, pain, and inflammation. It can also be used as a blood thinner because of its antiplatelet effects(2).
Aspirin basically inhibits Prostaglandin synthesis, which is an important mediator of pain and inflammation.
Common and rare side effects reported
Imitrex and Aspirin are associated with some side effects. These include:
Common side effects of Imitrex
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Diarrhoea
- Upset stomach
- Muscle cramps
- Tingling sensation
- Flushing
Serious and rare side effects include:
- An allergic reaction
- Tightness and pain in the chest along with difficulty in breathing
- Difficulty in speech
- Extreme weakness
- Severe stomach pain
- Bloody diarrhoea
- Unexplained weight loss
- Pale colouration of skin
- Vision changes
- Convulsions
Common side effects of Aspirin
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Acid reflux
- Flatulence
Rare and serious side effects include:
- An allergic reaction or hypersensitivity
- Arrhythmia or abnormal heartbeat
- Irregular breathing
- Tremors
- Bloody vomiting
- Loss of hearing
- Black or tarry stools – indicating gastrointestinal bleeding
- Ulceration
Final words
To sum up, Imitrex and Aspirin are different medications. You can get Aspirin without a prescription but do not take Imitrex without your doctor’s approval. Both meds are associated with some side effects, which should be properly monitored.
Make sure you avoid using these meds if you’re allergic to them. In the case of Aspirin, it is best to avoid this medication if it causes GI side effects. Aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding in people with already-existing GI illnesses and it should not be used in people with bleeding disorders.
Imitrex can be taken with or without food. However, Aspirin should be taken with food by people who are sensitive to gastrointestinal side effects. If you are sensitive to certain side effects, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking these medications.
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References
1.-
PubChem [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US), National Center for Biotechnology Information; 2004-. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 5358, Sumatriptan; [cited 2023 Mar. 03]. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Sumatriptan
2.-
PubChem [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US), National Center for Biotechnology Information; 2004-. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 2244, Aspirin; [cited 2023 Mar. 03]. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Aspirin
