Does any one use the Imitrex Shots?

[good news]

I suffer from cyclic cluster headaches that last around 2 weeks in duration about 2x per year. Imitrex shots are a LIFESAVER. Your doctor should be able to submit forms to your insurance provider to get more than 8 per month. They came out with a generic called Sumatriptan from PAR.

[Jim]

I just went to the pharmacy, it cost $1,500 for 4 packs (2 per pack) Imitrex 6mg injections.

[barbara fraser]

How much are the pills vs shots. The only thing that works for me is the shots. The generic is not available and the imitrex is so expensive

[brian Walsh]

I use the injections for cluster headaches. It's like Magic. Here's a trick to save money. I find I don't need the whole dose and can get by with only 1/3 syringe per headache. Remove the syringe carefully from the canister and administer it yourself without the plunger. Hope this is helpful.

[TOPAMAX USER]

I use both topamax and imitrex for migraines. The doctor gave me topamax originally for seizures and as a bonus in the beginning it helped with the amount of headaches I was getting. As time has gone on, the amount of headaches have risen and topamax has it's own set of little side effects to deal with.

[Shots for Less]

I have been on the imitrex shots for well over 20 years -- I was actually on the study for them prior to being released. My cluster migraines are not responsive to any other form of imitrex or any other drug I've tried (and I've tried them all). I, too, have had difficulty with insurance companies limiting doses (and not only BCBS). Here's what I've found to get around it: my neurologist writes the prescription for 4 boxes at a time.(This is essentially the same thing as writing your script for 60 pills instead of 30, etc.) If you have an insurance copay, you should get all 4 boxes at once for only 1 copay. For me this equals 8 shots for $40. Hope this helps some of you. It's miserable to have to "keep" a headache because of $.
By the way, generic didn't work for me. Knocked the headache back a bit sometimes but didn't get rid of it. And it wasn't any cheaper for my copay because injectibles are all on the same level.

[MSDINO]

I agreee the shots do work, but beware because they are very hard on your heart

[barry]

TOPAMAX USER wrote:

I use both topamax and imitrex for migraines. The doctor gave me topamax originally for seizures and as a bonus in the beginning it helped with the amount of headaches I was getting. As time has gone on, the amount of headaches have risen and topamax has it's own set of little side effects to deal with.

How much Topamax are you on? And for how long. I am on 75 mg. plus Gabapentin