Eletriptan (Relpax) Tips from Pharmacists

• Take eletriptan as soon as you feel a migraine coming on. You can take this medicine with or without food. If your migraine symptoms get better but come back after one dose of eletriptan, you can repeat a dose after at least 2 hours have passed. Do not take more than 80 mg of eletriptan in 24 hours.

• If you do not get improvement in your symptoms after the initial dose of eletriptan, do not take a second dose. Your pain may be from something else that needs to be diagnosed by a healthcare provider.

• Eletriptan can cause pain, pressure, and tightness in the jaw and neck area. These symptoms are usually short-lived. However, these symptoms can be similar to symptoms of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical care if the pain or pressure is severe, persistent, or worsening.

• Eletriptan can cause sleepiness, dizziness, and weakness. Do not drive or participate in other potentially hazardous activities until you know how this drug affects you.

• Avoid drinking alcohol while on eletriptan. Alcohol can make side effects like dizziness and drowsiness worse.

• Keep a headache diary while taking eletriptan. It is not known if eletriptan is safe for treating migraines more than 3 times a month. Taking this medication too often can result in medication overuse headaches. Tell your doctor if you need eletriptan more than three times a month. Your provider may recommend other treatments for migraine.

• Use appropriate birth control while on eletriptan. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking this drug. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you avoid breastfeeding for 24 hours after taking a dose of eletriptan to avoid exposing your baby to this drug through breast milk.