EletriptanEletriptan Hydrobromide

About Eletriptan

Eletriptan activates 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D serotonin receptors, narrowing the dilated blood vessels around the brain and damping the nerve signals that carry migraine pain. It treats an attack, with or without aura, once it has begun; it does not prevent migraine and is not used for cluster headache. The dose is 20 or 40 mg, with no more than 40 mg at a time or 80 mg in a day, and the safety of treating more than three attacks a month on average has not been established.

Weakness, nausea, dizziness and sleepiness are the most common side effects. Tightness or pressure in the chest, throat, neck or jaw is common and usually not from the heart, but triptans can rarely cause heart attacks, rhythm problems and strokes. Eletriptan is not used with coronary artery disease, Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a past stroke or TIA, peripheral vascular or ischemic bowel disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or hemiplegic or basilar migraine, and people with several heart risk factors may need a heart check before the first dose.

Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors greatly raise its levels, which is why the 72-hour rule exists. It is not recommended in severe liver impairment. Using acute migraine drugs on 10 or more days a month can cause medication-overuse headache. The label suggests avoiding breastfeeding for 24 hours after a dose.

Taking Eletriptan

How to take it

Swallow a tablet when the migraine starts, with or without food. If the migraine has not gone after 2 hours, or comes back, a second dose may be taken at least 2 hours after the first, never more than 80 mg in 24 hours.

If you miss a dose

It is taken only when needed, so there is no schedule to miss.

Storage

At room temperature in the original package, away from heat and moisture, out of reach of children.

Interactions to know about

It is not taken within 72 hours of ketoconazole, itraconazole, nefazodone, troleandomycin, clarithromycin, ritonavir or nelfinavir, or within 24 hours of another triptan or an ergot such as dihydroergotamine. SSRI, SNRI and tricyclic antidepressants and MAO inhibitors can cause serotonin syndrome with it. Seek urgent care for chest pain, an irregular heartbeat, or sudden weakness or trouble speaking.

This summarizes the official prescribing information. Your prescriber’s and pharmacist’s instructions, and the leaflet that comes with your medicine, take priority.

Why the cash price for Eletriptan differs from pharmacy to pharmacy

Generic eletriptan has several makers, so pharmacies pay far less for it than for Relpax, but cash quotes still vary. Prescriptions are small, often one blister card of six tablets, so the dispensing fee and any minimum charge make up much of the price, and a pharmacy pricing by the card can quote very differently from one pricing by the tablet. A prescription for Relpax that does not allow substitution commits the pharmacy to the brand, which costs far more.

Ways to pay less for Eletriptan without insurance

• Check that the prescription allows generic substitution.
• If you treat attacks regularly, ask the prescriber whether two blister cards can be written per fill, so one dispensing fee covers more doses.
• If it is still costly, ask the prescriber whether an older generic triptan such as sumatriptan or rizatriptan would suit you.
• Upload the prescription to Script Unlock so licensed pharmacies can quote their cash price. You pay the pharmacy directly.

Questions to ask your pharmacist about Eletriptan

1. 1.Do any of my medicines, including antifungals, antibiotics or HIV drugs, rule it out?
2. 2.When can I take a second dose?
3. 3.Is it safe with my antidepressant?
4. 4.How many days a month can I use it without risking rebound headaches?
5. 5.What should I do about chest or throat tightness after a dose?

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