Generic Name: eletriptan (EL e TRIP tan)
Brand Names: Relpax
What is eletriptan?
Eletriptan is a headache medicine that narrows blood vessels around the brain. Eletriptan also reduces substances in the body that can trigger headache pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and other migraine symptoms.
Eletriptan is used to treat migraine headaches. Eletriptan will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.
Eletriptan should not be used to treat a common tension headache, a headache that causes loss of movement on one side of your body, or any headache that seems to be different from your usual migraine headaches. Use this medication only if your condition has been confirmed by a doctor as migraine headaches.
Eletriptan may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about eletriptan?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to eletriptan, if you have any history of heart disease, or if you have coronary heart disease, angina, blood circulation problems, lack of blood supply to the heart, uncontrolled high blood pressure, severe liver disease, ischemic bowel disease, a history of a heart attack or stroke, or if your headache seems to be different from your usual migraine headaches. Do not take eletriptan within 24 hours before or after using another migraine headache medicine, including almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex, Treximet), zolmitriptan (Zomig), or ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Migergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), or methylergonovine (Methergine). Do not use eletriptan within 72 hours before or after taking ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal), itraconazole (Sporanox), nefazodone, clarithromycin (Biaxin), ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra), or nelfinavir (Viracept).
Before taking eletriptan, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder, or coronary heart disease (or risk factors such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high cholesterol, having a family history of coronary artery disease, being older than 40 and a man, or being a woman who has had a hysterectomy).
Also tell your doctor if you are also taking an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor).
Eletriptan will only treat a headache that has already begun. It will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.
After taking an eletriptan tablet, you must wait two (2) hours before taking a second tablet. Do not take more than 80 mg of eletriptan in 24 hours.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using eletriptan?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to eletriptan, or if you have:
coronary heart disease, angina (chest pain), blood circulation problems, lack of blood supply to the heart;
a history of heart disease, heart attack, or stroke, including "mini-stroke";
severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure;
- severe liver disease;
ischemic bowel disease; or
a headache that seems different from your usual migraine headaches.
To make sure you can safely take eletriptan, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
- liver disease;
- kidney disease;
high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder; or
coronary heart disease (or risk factors such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high cholesterol, having a family history of coronary artery disease, being older than 40 and a man, or being a woman who has had a hysterectomy).
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether eletriptan will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Eletriptan can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to anyone under 18 years old.
How should I use eletriptan?
Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Overuse of migraine headache medicine can actually make your headaches worse.
Take eletriptan as soon as you notice headache symptoms, or after an attack has already begun.
Your doctor may want to give your first dose of this medicine in a hospital or clinic setting to see if you have any serious side effects.
Take one eletriptan tablet whole with a full glass of water.
After taking a tablet: If your headache does not completely go away, or goes away and comes back, take a second tablet two (2) hours after the first. Do not take more than 80 mg of eletriptan in 24 hours. If your symptoms have not improved, contact your doctor before taking any more tablets.
Contact your doctor if you have more than three headaches in one month (30 days).
If you use eletriptan long-term, your doctor may want to check your heart function using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG), a machine that measures electrical activity of the heart. This will help your doctor determine if it is still safe for you to use this medication. Visit your doctor regularly.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since eletriptan is used as needed, it does not have a daily dosing schedule. Call your doctor promptly if your symptoms do not improve after using eletriptan.
After taking an eletriptan tablet, you must wait two (2) hours before taking a second tablet. Do not take more than 80 mg of eletriptan in 24 hours.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose could cause high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, or seizure).
What should I avoid while using eletriptan?
Do not take eletriptan within 24 hours before or after using another migraine headache medicine, including:
almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), sumatriptan (Imitrex, Treximet), or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or
ergot medicine such as ergotamine (Ergomar, Cafergot, Migergot), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), or methylergonovine (Methergine).
Do not use eletriptan within 72 hours before or after taking any of the following medicines:
ketoconazole (Extina, Ketozole, Nizoral, Xolegal), itraconazole (Sporanox);
nefazodone;
clarithromycin (Biaxin); or
ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept).
Eletriptan may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Eletriptan side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using eletriptan and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
feeling of pain or tightness in your jaw, neck, or throat;
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
sudden severe headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
sudden and severe stomach pain and bloody diarrhea;
numbness or tingling and a pale or blue-colored appearance in your fingers or toes; or
(if you are also taking an antidepressant) - agitation, high fever, sweating, fast or pounding heartbeats, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of balance or coordination, overactive reflexes, hallucinations, fainting.
Less serious side effects may include:
mild headache (not a migraine);
pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body;
dry mouth, upset stomach, stomach pain or cramps;
dizziness, drowsiness, weakness; or
warmth, redness, or mild tingling under your skin.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Eletriptan Dosing Information
Usual Adult Dose for Migraine:
In the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura:
40 mg orally once
or
20 mg orally once
If after the initial dosage, the headache improves but then returns, a repeat dose may be beneficial. If a second dose is needed, it should be taken at least two hours after the initial dose.
The maximum daily dose should not exceed 80 mg.
The safety of treating an average of more than three headaches in a thirty day period has not been established.
What other drugs will affect eletriptan?
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
conivaptan (Vaprisol);
imatinib (Gleevec);
isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);
an antibiotic such as dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, Pediazole), or telithromycin (Ketek);
an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), nefazodone, paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or venlafaxine (Effexor);
antifungal medicine such as miconazole (Oravig) or voriconazole (Vfend);
heart or blood pressure medication such as diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), nicardipine (Cardene), quinidine (Quin-G), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others; or
HIV/AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), or saquinavir (Invirase).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with eletriptan. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
More eletriptan resources
- Eletriptan Side Effects (in more detail)
- Eletriptan Dosage
- Eletriptan Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Eletriptan Drug Interactions
- Eletriptan Support Group
- 42 Reviews for Eletriptan - Add your own review/rating
- eletriptan Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Eletriptan MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)
- Eletriptan Hydrobromide Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Relpax Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Relpax Consumer Overview
Compare eletriptan with other medications
- Migraine
Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist can provide more information about eletriptan.
See also: eletriptan side effects (in more detail)
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