A patient who has migraine headaches is prescribed sumatriptan [Imitrex] 5 mg unit-dose nasal spray. The patient has administered two sprays at 1400, 1600, and 1800 and calls to report little relief from headache pain
What will the nurse instruct the patient to do? a. Administer 2 sprays at 2000 and call the provider if no relief.
b. Continue using 2 sprays every 2 hours as needed to relieve discomfort.
c. Contact the provider to ask about using an ergot alkaloid medication.
d. Use 3 sprays at the next dose to increase the dose.
A
Sumatriptan nasal spray may be used every 2 hours with a maximum 24-hour dose of 40 mg. The patient has already used 30 mg and another 2-spray dose will bring the total dose to 40 mg. The patient should be instructed to contact the provider if the next dose is not effective. Ergot alkalo-ids should not be given within 24 hours of a triptan. Increasing the next dose to 15 mg would exceed the 24-hour dose maximum.
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