ELETRIPTAN

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Relpax

GENERIC NAME(S): ELETRIPTAN HBR

Description: Eletriptan is a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin5-HT) type 1B and 1D (5-HT1B/1D) receptor agonist, it works by narrowing the blood vessels in the brain, which helps relieve migraine.

Uses

Indications:

Eletriptan is used to treat migraines. It helps to relieve headache, pain, and other migraine symptoms (including nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light/sound).

Eletriptan does not prevent future migraines or lessen how often you get migraine attacks.

Contraindications:

Should not be given to patients with:

Ischemic coronary artery disease (CAD) (angina pectoris, history of myocardial infarction, or documented silent ischemia) or coronary artery vasospasm, including Prinzmetal’s angina
Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or arrhythmias associated with other cardiac accessory conduction pathway disorders.
History of stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or history or current evidence of hemiplegic or basilar migraine.
Peripheral vascular disease
Ischemic bowel disease
Uncontrolled hypertension
Recent use (i.e., within 24 hours) of another 5-hydroxytryptamine1 (5-HT1) agonist, ergotamine-containing medication, or ergot-type medication such as dihydroergotamine (DHE) or methysergide
Hypersensitivity to RELPAX (angioedema and anaphylaxis seen)
Recent use (i.e., within at least 72 hours) of the following potent CYP3A4 inhibitors: ketoconazole, itraconazole, nefazodone, troleandomycin, clarithromycin, ritonavir, or nelfinavir

How to use eletriptan HBr:

Dosage: Take 40 mg or 20 mg by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, at the first sign of a migraine.

If there is no improvement in your symptoms, do not take more doses of this medication before talking to your doctor. If your symptoms are only partly relieved, or if your headache comes back, you may take another dose two hours after the first dose.
If you have a higher risk for heart problems (see Precautions), your doctor may perform a heart exam before you start taking eletriptan.
Overuse of drugs to treat sudden migraine attacks can sometimes lead to worsening of headache (medication overuse headache) or rebound headache. Therefore, do not use this medication more often or for longer than prescribed.

Warnings

Please see Precautions section.

Side Effects

You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these side effects occur when taking eletriptan:

Less common

Chest pain or tightness
difficulty with swallowing
tightness in the throat

Some of the side effects that can occur with eletriptan may not need medical attention:

More common

Lack or loss of strength
sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

Less common

Acid or sour stomach
belching
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings
dry mouth
heartburn
indigestion
stomach soreness or discomfort
stomach upset

Precautions

Precautions

General:

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

The risk of heart disease and high blood pressure increases with age. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially increased blood pressure and heart problems.

Medical History: Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you had: blood circulation problems (for example, in your legs, arms/hands, or stomach), certain types of headaches (hemiplegic or basilar migraine), heart problems (such as chest pain, irregular heartbeat, previous heart attack), liver disease, seizure, stroke or “mini-stroke” (transient ischemic attack).
Risk of heart problems: Certain conditions can increase your risk for heart problems. Tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions, including: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, family history of heart disease, overweight, smoker, postmenopausal (women), age more than 40 years (men).

Pregnancy Risk: Category C (Risk cannot be ruled out)

Interactions

Avoid taking certain medications that can affect the removal of eletriptan from your body within 72 hours of taking eletriptan. Examples include cobicistat, nefazodone, azole antifungals such as ketoconazole/itraconazole, macrolide antibiotics such as clarithromycin/erythromycin, certain hepatitis C virus protease inhibitors such as boceprevir/telaprevir, HIV protease inhibitors such as nelfinavir/ritonavir, among others.
If you also take any ergotamine medication (such as dihydroergotamine or methysergide) or other “triptan” drugs (such as sumatriptan, rizatriptan), separate your eletriptan dose at least 24 hours apart from your dose of these other medications to lessen the chance of serious side effects.
The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity increases if you are also taking other drugs that increase serotonin. Examples include street drugs such as MDMA/”ecstasy,” St. John’s wort, certain antidepressants (including SSRIs such as fluoxetine/paroxetine, SNRIs such as duloxetine/venlafaxine), among others. The risk of serotonin syndrome/toxicity may be more likely when you start or increase the dose of these drugs.

Overdose & Brands

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Certain foods, beverages, or food additives (such as red wine, cheese, chocolate, monosodium glutamate) as well as lifestyle patterns such as irregular eating/sleeping habits or stress may bring on a migraine headache. Avoiding these “triggers” may help lessen migraine attacks. Consult your doctor for more details.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (such as blood pressure) may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

Not applicable. (See How to Use section.)

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Brands

There are no brands containing this molecule.