Relpax

The active ingredient in Relpax is eletriptan hydrobromide. It belongs to a class of medications known as triptans or serotonin (5-HT1B/1D) receptor agonists. During a migraine attack, blood vessels in the brain widen, causing pain and swelling. Triptans work by narrowing these blood vessels, which eases the pain.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Relpax. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Relpax:

• Take orally as directed by your physician.
• If your headache comes back or gets worse after taking Relpax, you can take one additional dose of this medicine 2 hours after the first dose.
• Do not use more than 80 mg of this medication in a 24 hour period.

The most common side effects of Relpax seen in clinical trials include:

• Dizziness.
• Nausea.
• Drowsiness.
• Weakness.
• Feeling pins and needles in your arms or legs.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Relpax. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Severe allergic reaction - hives, itching, swelling.
• Heart attacks and other heart problems - chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, feeling lightheaded.
• Medication overuse headaches.
• Serotonin syndrome - life-threatening problem; increased risk when taken with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), or any other medication that increases serotonin levels.
• Raynaud’s syndrome - changes in color or sensation in your fingers and toes, cramping, pain.
• Stomach and intestinal problems - sudden or severe stomach pain, weight loss, constipation, bloody diarrhea, fever.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Relpax. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Relpax, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including if you have:

• Heart disease.
• Angina (chest pain).
• Arrhythmia (heart rhythm problem).
• Basilar migraine (migraine with vision and hearing problems).
• Heart attack.
• Blood vessel problems.
• Hemiplegic migraine (migraine with some paralysis).
• Hypertension (high blood pressure).
• Ischemic bowel disease.
• Liver disease.
• Peripheral vascular disease.
• Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
• Menopause.
• Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (heart rhythm problem).
• Family history of coronary artery disease or coronary artery vasospasm.
• Diabetes.
• High cholesterol levels.
• Raynaud's syndrome.
• Kidney problems.

• Previous hypersensitivity/allergic reaction to Relpax.
• Certain heart problems like uncontrolled blood pressure, coronary artery disease (CAD), history of stroke or TIA, or history of hemiplegic or basilar migraine, and peripheral vascular disease, among others
• Ischemic bowel disease
• Within 24 hours of treatment with other migraine headache medications, including:
• medicines like eletriptan (almotriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan)
• ergot medicines (dihydroergotamine, ergotamine, ergotamine)
• Within at least 72 hours of treatment using potent CYP3A4 inhibitors, including:
• ketoconazole, itraconazole, nefazodone, clarithromycin, ritonavir, or nelfinavir

Eletriptan (Relpax) starts to provide migraine pain relief after about 30 minutes. But it can take up to 2 hours for you to be completely pain-free.

When Relpax is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Other types of triptan medications (sumatriptan, rizatriptan).
• Ergot (ergotamine, dihydroergotamine).
• Medications for fungal infections (ketoconazole, itraconazole).
• Nefazodone.
• Antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin).
• Medication used for HIV or AIDS (ritonavir, Norvir, nelfinavir, Viracept).
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).
• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).
• A tricyclic antidepressant (amitriptyline, nortriptyline).

Relpax is available in the following dosage forms:

• 20 mg and 40 mg oral tablets.

Store this medication at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.

Pfizer Inc. is the pharmaceutical company that manufactures Relpax.

There are lower-cost generics available of the brand name Relpax.

Do not stop or adjust your use of this medication without first consulting your doctor.

It is unknown if this medication will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are already pregnant or if you have any plans to become pregnant. They will know or recommend what is best for you.

This medication is known to pass into breast milk and may harm your baby. Talk to your doctor if you are already breastfeeding or if you have any plans to breastfeed. They will know or recommend what is best for you.