Medications and Drugs

A Visual Guide to Migraine Headaches Slideshow Headache and Migraine Triggers Slideshow Sinusitis Slideshow

Pharmacy Author: Emmanuel Saltiel, Pharm. D.
Medical Editor: Jay Marks, M.D.

GENERIC NAME: eletriptan

BRAND NAME: Relpax

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Eletriptan is an oral drug that is used for treating migraine headaches. It is in the "triptan" class of drugs that also includes sumatriptan (Imitrex), zolmitriptan (Zomig), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), almotriptan (Axert), and frovatriptan (Frova). Migraine headaches are believed to be the result of abnormal activity in the brain that leads to dilation of the blood vessels on the surface of the brain as well as the tissues that surround the brain. The dilation of the blood vessels is believed to be associated with inflammation. The triptan class of drugs, including eletriptan, constricts the blood vessels, thus preventing migraine headache. While it is very effective in relieving migraine, it does not prevent or reduce the number of attacks of migraine. In a large study, it was shown to be more effective than sumatriptan in relieving migraine headache pain within two hours. Eletriptan was approved by the FDA in December, 2002.

GENERIC: No

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 20 mg (orange), 40 mg (orange)

STORAGE: Eletriptan should be stored at room temperature away from heat and light and out of the reach of children.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Eletriptan is used to relieve migraine headaches and its associated nausea and sensitivity to light. It does not prevent or reduce the number of attacks of migraine. It should not be used to treat non-migraine headaches.

DOSING: Eletriptan is taken at the first sign of a migraine attack. If the symptoms improve but then return after two hours or longer, a second tablet may be taken. If the symptoms do not improve after taking the first dose of eletriptan, a second tablet may be taken before calling the doctor. In any case, it is not recommended that more than two tablets of eletriptan be taken in any 24-hour period.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Ergots, like dihydroergotamine (DHE 45) and ergotamine tartrate (Cafergot, Bellergal-S, Ergomar), or methysergide (Sansert) can causes constriction of blood vessels. It is possible that these effects may add to the effects of eletriptan. Therefore, it is recommended that ergot-containing drugs not be used within 24 hours of eletriptan.

Ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), nefazodone (Serzone), clarithromycin (Biaxin), ritonavir (Norvir), and nelfinavir (Viracept) may increase the amount of eletriptan in the blood by blocking an enzyme in the liver that's important in eliminating eletriptan. Eletriptan should not be taken if any of these medications have been taken within the previous 72 hours. Other drugs that block the same enzyme include diltiazem (Cardizem; Dilacor), Verapamil (Calan; Isoptin), fluconazole (Diflucan), voriconazole (VFend), indinavir (Crixivan), and erythromycin (Ery-Tab).

PREGNANCY: Safe use of eletriptan in pregnancy has not been established.

NURSING MOTHERS: Safe use of eletriptan in nursing mothers has not been established.

SIDE EFFECTS: Side effects are generally transient and include dizziness, nausea, weakness, tiredness, and pain or tightness in the chest or throat.

Reference: FDA Prescribing Information

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