Sumatriptan inhibits TRPV1 channels in trigeminal neurons.

Objective: To understand a possible role for transient potential receptor vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) ion channels in sumatriptan relief of pain mediated by trigeminal nociceptors.

Background: TRPV1 channels are expressed in small nociceptive sensory neurons. In dorsal root ganglia, TRPV1-containing nociceptors mediate certain types of inflammatory pain.