Eletriptan

el ih trip’ tan

Why is this medication prescribed?

Eletriptan is used to treat the symptoms of migraine headache (severe throbbing headache that sometimes comes along with nausea and sensitivity to sound and light). Eletriptan is in a class of medications called selective serotonin receptor agonists. It works by reducing swelling of blood vessels in the brain, stopping pain signals from being sent to the brain, and blocking the release of certain natural substances that cause pain, nausea, and other symptoms of migraine. Eletriptan does not prevent migraine attacks or reduce the number of headaches you have.

How should this medicine be used?

Eletriptan comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken at the first sign of a migraine attack. If your symptoms improve after you take eletriptan but return after 2 hours or longer, you may take a second tablet. However, if your symptoms do not improve after you take eletriptan, do not take a second tablet before calling your doctor. Do not take more than two eletriptan tablets in any 24-hour period. Call your doctor if you need to take eletriptan more than three times a month. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take eletriptan exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

You may take your first dose of eletriptan in a doctor’s office or other medical facility where you can be monitored for serious reactions.

Other uses for this medicine

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking eletriptan,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to eletriptan or any other medications.
• do not take eletriptan within 24 hours of another selective serotonin receptor agonist such as almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or ergot-type medications such as bromocriptine (Parlodel), cabergoline (Dostinex), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), ergoloid mesylates (Germinal, Hydergine), ergonovine (Ergotrate), ergotamine (Bellergal-S, Cafergot, Ergomar, Wigraine), methylergonovine (Methergine), methysergide (Sansert), and pergolide (Permax). Do not take eletriptan within 72 hours of clarithromycin (Biaxin), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), nefazodone (Serzone), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), and troleandomycin (TAO).
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: cimetidine (Tagamet); cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune); danazol (Danocrine); delavirdine (Rescriptor); diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac); erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin); fluconazole (Diflucan); indinavir (Crixivan); isoniazid (INH, Nydrazid); metronidazole (Flagyl); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft); verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); and zafirlukast (Accolate). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you smoke, if you or any family members have or have ever had heart disease, if you have gone through menopause (change of life), and if you have or have ever had a heart attack; angina (chest pain); high blood pressure; stroke or ‘mini-stroke’; high cholesterol; diabetes; circulation problems such as ischemic bowel disease; or kidney or liver disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking eletriptan, call your doctor.
• you should know that eletriptan may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
• talk to your doctor about your headache symptoms to make sure they are caused by migraine. Eletriptan should not be used to treat hemiplegic or basilar migraine or headaches caused by other conditions (such as cluster headaches).

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Talk to your doctor about drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Eletriptan may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• weakness
• upset stomach
• heartburn
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• headache
• dry mouth
• stomach pain or cramps

Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:

• tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in the chest, throat, neck, and/or jaw
• slow or difficult speech
• dizziness or faintness
• weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
• severe stomach pain
• bloody diarrhea
• rapid, pounding, or irregular heart beat
• difficulty breathing
• paleness or blue color of the fingers and toes
• pain, burning, or tingling in the hands or feet

Eletriptan may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include:

• tightness, pain, pressure, or heaviness in the chest, throat, neck, and/or jaw
• slow or difficult speech
• dizziness or faintness
• weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
• rapid, pounding, or irregular heart beat
• difficulty breathing
• headache

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

Brand names

Last Revised - 01/01/2004

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This entry was posted on Friday, February 23rd, 2007 at 10:32 pm and is filed under Drug Information. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.