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Brand Names: Relpax

Generic Name: eletriptan (Pronunciation: EL e TRIP tan)

• What is eletriptan (Relpax)?
• What are the possible side effects of eletriptan (Relpax)?
• What is the most important information I should know about eletriptan (Relpax)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using eletriptan (Relpax)?
• How should I use eletriptan (Relpax)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Relpax)?
• What happens if I overdose (Relpax)?
• What should I avoid while using eletriptan (Relpax)?
• What other drugs will affect eletriptan (Relpax)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is eletriptan (Relpax)?

Eletriptan is a headache medicine. It is believed to work by narrowing the 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 common tension headaches 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 other than those listed in this medication guide.

What are the possible side effects of eletriptan (Relpax)?

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 any of these serious side effects:

• 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 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);
• dry mouth, upset stomach, stomach pain or cramps;
• feeling of pain or tightness in your jaw, neck, or throat;
• pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body;
• 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.

What is the most important information I should know about eletriptan (Relpax)?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to eletriptan, or if you have a history of heart disease, angina (chest pain), blood circulation problems, ischemic bowel disease, severe liver disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or history of a heart attack or stroke.

Do not use 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 dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergotamine (Ergomar, Ergostat, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine), ergonovine (Ergotrate), methylergonovine (Methergine), or methysergide (Sansert).

Do not use eletriptan within 72 hours after taking ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), nefazodone (Serzone), clarithromycin (Biaxin), troleandomycin (Tao), ritonavir (Norvir), or nelfinavir (Viracept).

Before taking eletriptan, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder, coronary artery disease, or risk factors for coronary artery disease (such as diabetes, menopause, smoking, being overweight, having high blood pressure or 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).

Before taking eletriptan, tell your doctor if you are also taking an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), 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.