Relpax

 
Generic Name: eletriptan

Brands: Relpax

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What is the most important information I should know about Relpax?

· Do not take Relpax if the headache you are experiencing is not like other migraines that you have had.

· Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you have heart disease including angina (chest pain), history of heart attack, or unsymptomatic heart disease; stroke, or TIA's (transient ischemic attacks); uncontrolled high blood pressure; or circulation problems including ischemic bowel disease or Raynaud's syndrome.

· Never take more of this medication than is prescribed by your doctor. More medication will not further treat symptoms. If your symptoms are not being relieved, contact your doctor.

· Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Relpax may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.

 

What is Relpax?

· Relpax is a migraine headache medicine. It is in a class of drugs called serotonin receptor agonists. They are believed to work by causing vasoconstriction (narrowing) of arteries and veins that supply blood to the head.

· Relpax is used to treat migraine headaches. Relpax will not prevent migraines from occurring or decrease the number of attacks. It will only treat a migraine headache that is already occurring.

· Relpax may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

 

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Relpax?

· Do not take a Relpax if you:     ·have taken an ergot-based medication within the last 24 hours--ergot-based medicines include methysergide (Sansert), ergotamine (Ergostat, Ergomar, others), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), and ergotamine combination products (Bellergal-S, Cafergot, Wigraine, Cafatine-PB, and others);     ·have taken another serotonin receptor agonist within the last 24 hours - these include almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig, Zomig-ZMT);     ·have taken ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), nefazodone (Serzone), troleandomycin (TAO), clarithromycin (Biaxin), ritonavir (Norvir), or nelfinavir (Viracept) in the last 72 hours;     ·have basilar or hemiplegic migraine headaches (if you are not sure about this, ask your doctor);     ·heart disease including angina (chest pain), history of heart attack, or unsymptomatic heart disease;     ·have a history of stroke or transient ischemic attacks (TIA's);     ·have uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension);      ·have circulation (blood flow) problems including ischemic bowel disease or Raynaud's syndrome;     ·are experiencing a headache that is not like other migraines that you have had.

· Taking Relpax may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions, or have taken any of the medications, listed above.

· Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you     ·have a history of chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations (irregular heartbeats);     ·have diabetes;     ·have high blood pressure;     ·have a family history of heart disease;     ·have high cholesterol (a type of fat in the blood);      ·are overweight;     ·have diabetes;     ·smoke cigarettes;     ·are postmenopausal; or     ·are a male over 40 years of age.

· You may not be able to take Relpax, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

· Relpax is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Relpax will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take the medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

· It is not known whether Relpax passes into breast milk. Do not take Relpax without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

 

How should I take Relpax?

· Take Relpax exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

· Take each dose with a full glass of water or another fluid.

· Take a dose as soon as you notice symptoms of a migraine, or at any time during an attack.

· If your symptoms do not improve after taking one dose of the medication, contact your doctor before taking another dose.

· If your symptoms do improve but then return, you can take a second dose 2 hours or more after the first dose unless your doctor directs otherwise. No more than 80 mg of the medication should be taken in one day.

· Never take more of this medication than is prescribed by your doctor. More medication will not further treat symptoms. If your symptoms are not being relieved, contact your doctor.

· Store Relpax at room temperature away from moisture, heat, light, and the reach of children.

 

What happens if I miss a dose?

· Since Relpax is taken to treat migraines headaches as they occur and not to prevent them, missing a dose does not usually occur. Take only the doses you need, according to your doctor's instructions.

 

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

· Symptoms of an overdose are not known but might include tremor, tingling, heaviness, redness, or a warm feeling in the arms and/or legs; irregular breathing; large pupils; feeling uncoordinated; tiredness; nausea; dizziness; seizures; bluish skin; and chest pain.

 

What should I avoid while taking Relpax?

· Do not take Relpax if the headache you are experiencing is not like other migraines that you have had.

· Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Relpax may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.

 

What are the possible side effects of Relpax?

· If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Relpax and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:     ·an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);     ·an irregular heartbeat or tightness, pain, pressure or heaviness in your chest, throat, neck, or jaw; or     ·a rash or itching.

· Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take the Relpax and talk to your doctor if you experience     ·dizziness;     ·fatigue (tiredness);     ·headache (other than a migraine headache);     ·dry mouth;     ·upset stomach or nausea;     ·weakness;     ·flushing (hot flashes); or     ·paresthesia (a feeling of tingling).

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

 

What other drugs will affect Relpax?

· Do not take Relpax if you:     ·have taken an ergot-based medication within the last 24 hours--ergot-based medicines include methysergide (Sansert), ergotamine (Ergostat, Ergomar, others), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal Nasal Spray), and ergotamine combination products (Bellergal-S, Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine, Cafatine, Cafatine-PB, Cafetrate);     ·have taken another serotonin receptor agonist within the last 24 hours - these include almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT), sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig, Zomig-ZMT);     ·have taken ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), nefazodone (Serzone), troleandomycin (TAO), clarithromycin (Biaxin), ritonavir (Norvir), or nelfinavir (Viracept) within the last 72 hours.

· Taking a serotonin receptor agonist with any of the medicines listed above may be dangerous.

· Before taking Relpax, tell your doctor if you are taking     ·propranolol (Inderal, others); or     ·a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft).

· You may not be able to take Relpax, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines above.

· Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Relpax. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

 

Where can I get more information?

· Your pharmacist has more information about Relpax written for health professionals that you may read.

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