Relpax (Eletriptan Hydrobromide)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Relpax Used For?
Relpax contains eletriptan hydrobromide and is specifically designed to treat migraine attacks when they occur.
Primary Uses
Relpax is used to treat migraine attacks. It does not work for other types of headaches that are not migraines and should not be used to prevent migraine attacks from occurring.
How It Works
Relpax is a serotonin agonist that works by reducing the size of swollen blood vessels around the brain that may be involved in migraine.
Good to know: Relpax will provide relief even if taken later during a migraine attack, not just at the beginning.
How to Take Relpax
Take Relpax exactly as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. The medication should be taken as soon as possible after your migraine starts.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is 40mg, which may be increased to 80mg if needed. Take one tablet as soon as possible after migraine starts. If your migraine returns after initial relief, you may take a second tablet, but wait at least 2 hours between doses. Do not take more than 2 doses in 24 hours or more than 160mg in one day. Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water, with or without food. If you have kidney problems, your doctor may prescribe a lower dose.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Relpax is taken as needed for migraine attacks, so there is no regular dosing schedule to miss. Do not take Relpax before you get a headache as it will not be effective for prevention.
Important: Do not take a second dose within 2 hours of the first dose. If Relpax doesn’t relieve your migraine, do not take a second dose for the same attack.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- drowsiness
- flushing
- sweating
- chills and pain
- numbness and tingling
- weakness and lack of energy
- stomach pain or cramps
- dry mouth
- indigestion
- tight or sore throat
- muscle tightness
- spinning sensation
- back pain
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- chest pain or uncomfortable feeling in chest that may spread to arms or neck
- palpitations
- fast heart beat
- dizziness
- headache not relieved by Relpax
- nausea and vomiting
- swelling of face, lips, or tongue causing difficulty swallowing or breathing
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Relpax should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Relpax
Do not use if you: have not been previously diagnosed with migraine by a doctor; are allergic to eletriptan hydrobromide; have a headache different from your usual migraine; have severe liver problems; have high blood pressure that is difficult to treat; have or have had heart or blood vessel disease; have taken similar medicines (sumatriptan, zolmitriptan, rizatriptan) within 24 hours; have taken ergotamine medicines within 24 hours; have taken certain antibiotics, antifungals, HIV medicines, or antidepressants within 48 hours.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: allergies to medicines or other substances; risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, diabetes, family history of heart disease, post-menopause in females, age over 40 in males); liver or kidney problems; are taking other migraine medicines.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If breastfeeding, you may be advised to stop breast-feeding for 24 hours after taking Relpax.
Age Restrictions: Do not use in children or adolescents under 18 years. Use with caution in patients over 65 years as blood pressure effects may be more pronounced.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Relpax and affect how it works, or increase the risk of side effects.
Serotonin Syndrome Risk: Taking Relpax with certain antidepressants or St John’s Wort may increase risk of serotonin syndrome, causing high blood pressure, fast heart rate, agitation and sweating.
- SSRIs (citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline, fluoxetine)
- SNRIs (desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, venlafaxine)
- St John’s Wort
- Erythromycin and clarithromycin (antibiotics)
- Ketoconazole and itraconazole (antifungals)
- Nefazodone (antidepressant)
- HIV medicines (amprenavir, ritonavir, indinavir, saquinavir, nelfinavir)
- Ergotamine medicines (dihydroergotamine, methysergide)
Alcohol & Driving
Both alcohol and driving require special consideration while using Relpax due to potential effects on your alertness and migraine symptoms.
Alcohol
Migraine sufferers should probably avoid alcoholic drinks, especially during a headache. Alcohol can make headaches worse or may cause new headaches to occur.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Avoid driving, using machinery, or doing anything that may be dangerous if you become drowsy during a migraine or after taking Relpax.
Storage
Store Relpax below 30°C in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children. Take expired or unwanted medicine to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Relpax, seek urgent medical attention immediately as serious heart problems may occur. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Relpax should be taken as soon as possible after your migraine starts for best results. It will also provide relief if taken later during the migraine attack.
Yes, you can take Relpax tablets with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water.
Yes, if your migraine returns after initial relief, you can take a second tablet. However, you must wait at least 2 hours between the first and second dose, and do not take more than 2 doses in 24 hours.
If Relpax doesn’t relieve your migraine, do not take a second dose for the same attack. You may take something else for the pain, but avoid ergotamine-containing medicines for at least 24 hours.
Migraine sufferers should probably avoid alcoholic drinks, especially during a headache, as alcohol can make headaches worse or cause new headaches to occur.
Call your doctor immediately if you become pregnant, your migraine lasts longer than 24 hours, your symptom pattern changes, or you feel the headache is different or worse than your usual migraines.
No, Relpax should not be used to prevent migraine attacks from occurring. It will not be effective if taken before you get a headache and is only meant to treat migraines once they start.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.