Relpax and/or Equivalents

Relpax

Relpax Description

Relpax is prescribed for treating migraine headaches in patients. Its generic name is eletriptan. Eletriptan is a member of the class of drugs known as 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonists. Relpax is available in the form of 20 mg and 40 mg tablets. Each 20 mg tablet, containing 20 mg of eletriptan, is film-coated and orange in colour with “REP20” printed on one side and “PFIZER” on the reverse. Each 40 mg tablet containing 40 mg of eletriptan is film-coated and orange in colour with “REP40” printed on one side and “PFIZER” on the reverse. The non-active components in the tablets are FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake, croscarmellose sodium, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, lactose, titanium dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose and triacetin. The drug identification numbers for the 20 mg and 40 mg tablets are 02256290 and 02256304 respectively.

Conditions Treated by Relpax

Eletriptan reduces the severity of migraine headaches in adults. It may provide relief to headaches whether they are without or with aura. “Aura” is a term, used to describe the warning symptoms that precede a migraine attack. A migraine headache is caused by the expansion of the temporal artery and other blood vessels, outside the skull and beneath the skin of the temple. The blood vessels stretch the nerves that coil around them. The nerves respond by releasing certain chemicals that cause pain and further dilation of the blood vessels. The increasing expansion of the blood vessels intensifies the headache. The pain is accompanied by nausea, dizziness and increased sensitivity to light. Relpax (eletriptan) serves to narrow the blood vessels around the brain. Furthermore, it reduces certain chemicals in the body that can trigger headaches, intolerance to light and sound and nausea. It may reduce the headache within half an hour. Relpax is not administered to prevent migraine headaches.

Relpax Dosage Information

a.) Typical Dosage Recommendations

You should take Relpax for your migraine headaches exactly as directed by your doctor. The recommended dose of Relpax for an adult is 20 mg tablets or 40 mg tablets. It should be taken with a glass of water at the very first sign of a headache. The dosage depends upon the severity of the headache, the body weight of the patient and other medications taken by the patient. If the headache reduces partially, you may take another dose after two hours or as recommended by your doctor. If the first dose is not effective, another dose might not be of any help either. Do not take more than two tablets of the prescribed dose in 24 hours. Consult your doctor if you have migraine headaches for more than three days in a month. Your doctor may want to administer the first dose in a clinic to determine if the medication affects you adversely. If you are prescribed Relpax for a long period, your doctor may advise you to go to the clinic for an electrocardiogram. The dosage may have to be adjusted following the results of the electrocardiogram.

b.) Missing a dose

Relpax is taken at the time of a migraine headache. It is not used to prevent or cure migraine and there is no regular schedule for taking the drug.

c.) Overdosing

If you take an extra dose of Relpax, you must seek emergency medical help. An overdose could cause your blood pressure to rise. This may result in chest pain, irregular pulse or heartbeat, shortness of breath, blurred vision, confusion and seizures. You may experience other discomforts as well.

Relpax Warnings

Relpax should not be taken without a doctor’s prescription. It should not be administered to a person less than eighteen years old. Do not take Relpax if you are intolerant to eletriptan or any other non-medicinal ingredients in the tablet. It cannot be used to treat the following types of migraine headaches – hemiplegic (occurring on one side of the head), basilar (occurring at the base of the head) and opthalmoplegic (occurring in the eye region). Before taking Relpax, tell your doctor if you are suffering from liver, kidney or heart disease or if you have diabetes, hypertension or high blood cholesterol. Relpax is contraindicated for persons having a history of stoke, certain cardiac diseases, transient ischemic attack, high or low blood pressure, liver problems and vascular diseases. There have been rare instances of persons developing heart disease after taking Relpax. Do not take Relpax within 24 hours of using other medications for migraine including zolmitriptan, almotriptan, frovatriptan, rizatriptan, naratriptan, sumatriptan, or ergot medicines such as ergotamine, (dihydroergotamine). Do not use Relpax within 72 hours before or after taking ketoconazole, itraconazole, nefazodone, clarithromycin, ritonavir, or nelfinavir. Generic names have been used for the above drugs. Enough research has not been conducted to establish that Relpax is safe for an unborn baby. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are a nursing mother. Relpax may impair your mental processes and reactions temporarily. Do not drive after taking the medication.

Relpax Side Effects

The common side effects of using eletriptan are diarrhoea, nausea, abdominal cramps, dizziness, sore throat, reduced or increased salivation, weakness or drowsiness. Take your doctor’s advice on managing these side effects. Serious side effects include pain in the arms, chest pain, sudden numbness on either side of the body, problems with vision, speech or balance and increased sweating. It is recommended that you take medical help immediately should you experience any of the above discomforts. Very rare side effects include, bone pain, eye irritation, earache and swelling of the legs. The inactive ingredients of Relpax may induce allergic reactions. Seek emergency medical assistance if you develop any of these conditions – rashes, itching, swelling of your tongue, lips, face or throat, and difficulty in breathing.

Relpax Drug Interactions

Eletriptan may interact with antibiotics like erythromycin and clarithromycin, 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonists (such as naratriptan, almotriptan, sumatriptan, rizatriptan and zolmitriptan), ergotamines, fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole and selective serotonin receptor agonists (SSRIs; e.g., fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, sertraline). The list is not comprehensive. Other drugs may interact with Relpax (eletriptan). Inform your doctor, about any medication you might be taking for a medical condition. Your doctor may change one of the medications to another. Relpax, like other triptans may interact with antidepressants like SSRI (listed above), citalopram, desvenlafaxine, duloxetine and escitalopram. The action of Relpax may be affected by taking nicotine from cigarettes and the consumption of alcohol and coffee. Take your doctor’s counsel on taking the above substances.

If you have any questions about buying discount Relpax online or any other prescription products you can contact our team of professional Patient Service Representatives or one of our pharmacists 24-7 by calling 1-800-226-3784.

Notice: The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Relpax and/or Equivalents warnings, side-effects and general information