Amerge vs. Relpax

Amerge (naratriptan) and Relpax (eletriptan hydrobromide) are headache medicines ("triptans") used to treat migraine headaches.

Amerge and Relpax will only treat a headache that has already begun. Amerge and Relpax will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

Side effects of Amerge and Relpax that are similar include flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling under your skin), sensations of tingling/numbness/prickling/heat/warmth under your skin, weakness, drowsiness, dizziness, and pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body.

Side effects of Amerge that are different from Relpax include tired feeling.

Side effects of Relpax that are different from Amerge include mild headache (not a migraine), nausea, upset stomach, stomach pain or cramps, and dry mouth.

Both Amerge and Relpax may interact with other migraine headache medicines, antidepressants, medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, narcotics (opioids), and medicines to prevent nausea and vomiting. Relpax may also interact with nefazodone, azole antifungals, antibiotics, protease inhibitors, St. John's wort, antihistamines, anti-seizure drugs, medicines for sleep or anxiety, and muscle relaxants.

Common side effects of Amerge include:

• flushing,
• sensations of tingling/numbness/prickling/heat/warmth under your skin,
• weakness,
• drowsiness,
• tired feeling,
• dizziness, or
• pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body

Common side effects of Relpax include:

• mild headache (not a migraine),
• tingling/numbness,
• nausea,
• upset stomach,
• stomach pain or cramps,
• weakness,
• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• pressure or heavy feeling in any part of your body,
• dry mouth, or
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling under your skin).

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Relpax including:

• blue fingers/toes/nails, or
• cold hands or feet.

Amerge (naratriptan) is a headache medicine used to treat migraine headaches. Amerge will only treat a headache that has already begun. Amerge will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks. Amerge is available in generic form.

Relpax (eletriptan hydrobromide) is a selective serotonin receptor agonist used to treat >migraine headaches. Relpax will only treat a headache that has already begun. Relpax will not prevent headaches or reduce the number of attacks.

Amerge may interact with other migraine headache medicines, or antidepressants. Tell your doctor all medications you use. Amerge should be used only when prescribed during pregnancy. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Relpax should not be used with sibutramine because a very serious interaction may occur. Relpax should not be used within 72 hours of use of drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove eletriptan from your body such as nefazodone, azole antifungals, antibiotics, and protease inhibitors. Relpax should not be used within 24 hours of use of ergot-type drugs or other migraine drugs because of serious interactions. Antidepressants, St. John's wort, antihistamines, anti-seizure drugs, medicine for sleep or anxiety, muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers, and psychiatric medicines may all adversely interact with this drug. Discuss all medications you are taking with your doctor.

The dosage of Amerge is 25 mg four times a day.

A single dose of 20 mg or 40 mg is effective for the acute treatment of migraine in adults. After taking Relpax, you must wait 2 hours before taking another dose.