What is this medication for?
Eletriptan is used for the relief of migraine attacks with or without aura (warning signs that occur prior to the onset of a migraine). It is not to be used for the prevention of migraine. Migraine headaches are thought to be caused by the dilation (widening) of the blood vessels in the head. Eletriptan belongs to the class of medications known as 5-hydroxytryptamine agonists that relieve migraine headaches by constricting (narrowing) these vessels.
For most people, eletriptan eliminates or reduces the symptoms of migraine including headache, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those
listed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all
of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor
or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do
not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms
as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their
doctor has not prescribed it. Do not stop taking this medication without
consulting your doctor.
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
How should I use this medication?
The usual adult dose of eletriptan is 20 mg to 40 mg daily. The
tablets should be taken with water and swallowed whole. You should take eletriptan
as early as possible after the migraine headache starts, but it is also effective
if taken at a later stage. The maximum daily dose of eletriptan is 80 mg
in 24 hours.
If your headache improves, but returns after the first dose, a second dose
may be taken but no sooner than 2 hours after the first dose.
If the initial dose is not effective at all, a second dose will not likely
be helpful.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as
body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor
has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change
the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
It is important that this medication be taken exactly as prescribed by your
doctor.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture,
and keep it out of the reach of children.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Eletriptan should not be used by anyone who:
- has angina (chest pain), including prinzmetal angina (coronary vasospasm)
- has blood vessel disease (peripheral vascular disease) including bowel disease
- has certain types of migraine headaches (including hemiplegic, basilar or
migraine)
- has heart disease or a history of heart disease (e.g., a history of heart
attack or silent ischemia [damage to the heart without symptoms])
- has high blood pressure that is severe or not under control
- has or has had a stroke or transient ischemic attacks
- has severely reduced liver function
- has taken another 5-hydroxytryptamine agonist (e.g., naratriptan, rizatriptan,
sumatriptan, zolmitriptan) in the previous 24 hours
- has taken ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medications (such as dihydroergotamine,
ergotamine, or methysergide) in the previous 24 hours
- is allergic to eletriptan or any of the components of the formulation