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| Generic Name: | eletriptan |
| Pronounced: | EH leh trip tan |
| Brand Name: | Relpax |
What is the most important information I should know about eletriptan? |
|
 | Do not take eletriptan if the headache you are experiencing is not like other migraines
that you have had. |
|
| Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you have heart disease
including angina (chest pain), history of heart attack, or unsymptomatic heart disease; stroke, or
TIA's (transient ischemic attacks); uncontrolled high blood pressure; or circulation problems
including ischemic bowel disease or Raynaud's syndrome. |
| Never take more of this medication than is prescribed by your doctor. More medication will
not further treat symptoms. If your symptoms are not being relieved, contact your doctor. |
 | Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Eletriptan may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness,
avoid these activities. |
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What is eletriptan? |
| Eletriptan is a migraine headache medicine. It is in a class of drugs called serotonin receptor
agonists. They are believed to work by causing vasoconstriction (narrowing) of arteries and veins
that supply blood to the head. |
| Eletriptan is used to treat migraine headaches. Eletriptan will not prevent migraines from
occurring or decrease the number of attacks. It will only treat a migraine headache that is already
occurring. |
| Eletriptan may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. |
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking eletriptan? |
| Do not take a eletriptan if you: |
|
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have taken an ergot-based medication within the last 24
hours--ergot-based medicines include methysergide (Sansert), ergotamine (Ergostat, Ergomar,
others), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), and ergotamine combination
products (Bellergal-S, Cafergot, Wigraine, Cafatine-PB, and others);
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have taken another serotonin receptor agonist within the
last 24 hours - these include almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge),
rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig, Zomig-ZMT);
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have taken ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole
(Sporanox), nefazodone (Serzone), troleandomycin (TAO), clarithromycin (Biaxin), ritonavir
(Norvir), or nelfinavir (Viracept) in the last 72 hours;
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have basilar or hemiplegic migraine headaches (if you are
not sure about this, ask your doctor);
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heart disease including angina (chest pain), history of
heart attack, or unsymptomatic heart disease;
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have a history of stroke or transient ischemic attacks
(TIA's);
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have uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension);
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have circulation (blood flow) problems including ischemic
bowel disease or Raynaud's syndrome;
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are experiencing a headache that is not like other
migraines that you have had.
|
| Taking eletriptan may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions, or
have taken any of the medications, listed above. |
| Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you |
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have a history of chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations
(irregular heartbeats);
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have diabetes;
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have high blood pressure;
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have a family history of heart disease;
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have high cholesterol (a type of fat in the blood);
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are overweight;
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have diabetes;
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smoke cigarettes;
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are postmenopausal; or
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are a male over 40 years of age.
|
| You may not be able to take eletriptan, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. |
 | Eletriptan is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether
eletriptan will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take the medication without first talking to
your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. |
|
 | It is not known whether eletriptan passes into breast milk. Do not take
eletriptan without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. |
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How should I take eletriptan? |
|
| Take eletriptan exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions,
ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. |
 | Take each dose with a full glass of water or another fluid. |
|
| Take a dose as soon as you notice symptoms of a migraine, or at any time during an attack. |
| If your symptoms do not improve after taking one dose of the medication, contact your
doctor before taking another dose. |
| If your symptoms do improve but then return, you can take a second dose 2 hours or
more after the first dose unless your doctor directs otherwise. No more than 80 mg of the medication
should be taken in one day. |
|
| Never take more of this medication than is prescribed by your doctor. More medication will
not further treat symptoms. If your symptoms are not being relieved, contact your doctor. |
 | Store eletriptan at room temperature away from moisture, heat, light, and the reach of
children. |
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What happens if I miss a dose? |
| Since eletriptan is taken to treat migraines headaches as they occur and not to prevent them,
missing a dose does not usually occur. Take only the doses you need, according to your doctor's
instructions. |
What happens if I overdose? |
 | Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected. |
|
| Symptoms of an overdose are not known but might include tremor, tingling, heaviness,
redness, or a warm feeling in the arms and/or legs; irregular breathing; large pupils; feeling
uncoordinated; tiredness; nausea; dizziness; seizures; bluish skin; and chest pain. |
|
What should I avoid while taking eletriptan? |
| Do not take eletriptan if the headache you are experiencing is not like other migraines
that you have had. |
|
| Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Eletriptan may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness,
avoid these activities. |
|
What are the possible side effects of eletriptan? |
|
| If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking eletriptan and
seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately: |
|
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat;
swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
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an irregular heartbeat or tightness, pain, pressure or
heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw; or
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a rash or itching.
|
| Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
take the eletriptan and talk to your doctor if you experience |
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dizziness;
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fatigue (tiredness);
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headache (other than a migraine headache);
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dry mouth;
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upset stomach or nausea;
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weakness;
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flushing (hot flashes); or
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paresthesia (a feeling of tingling).
|
| Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your
doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. |
|
What other drugs will affect eletriptan? |
| Do not take eletriptan if you: |
|
-
have taken an ergot-based medication within the last 24
hours--ergot-based medicines include methysergide (Sansert), ergotamine (Ergostat, Ergomar,
others), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), and ergotamine combination
products (Bellergal-S, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine, Cafatine, Cafatine-PB, Cafetrate);
-
have taken another serotonin receptor agonist within the
last 24 hours - these include almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge),
rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig, Zomig-ZMT);
-
have taken ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole
(Sporanox), nefazodone (Serzone), troleandomycin (TAO), clarithromycin (Biaxin), ritonavir
(Norvir), or nelfinavir (Viracept) within the last 72 hours.
|
| Taking a serotonin receptor agonist with any of the medicines listed
above may be dangerous. |
| Before taking eletriptan, tell your doctor if you are taking |
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propranolol (Inderal, others); or
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a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as
citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline
(Zoloft).
|
| You may not be able to take eletriptan, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines above. |
| Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with eletriptan. Talk to your doctor and
pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products. |
Where can I get more information? |
| Your pharmacist has more information about eletriptan written for health professionals that
you may read. |
What does my medication look like? |
| Eletriptan is available with a prescription under the brand name Relpax. Other brand or
generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this
medication, especially if it is new to you. |
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Relpax 20 mg-orange, round, film-coated tablets
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Relpax 40 mg-orange, round, film-coated tablets
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| Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your
medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed |
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Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner
Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee
is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time
sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare
practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does
not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless
specifically indicated otherwise.
Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or
recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource
designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their
patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to,
and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug
combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug
combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum
does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered
with the aid of information Multum provides.
The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions,
or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking,
check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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