(British Approved Name Modified, US Adopted Name, rINNM)
Drug Nomenclature
INNs in main languages (French, Latin, Russian, and Spanish):
Adverse Effects and Precautions
As for Sumatriptan.
Eletriptan should not be used in patients with severe hepatic or severe renal impairment. Blood pressure effects of eletriptan are increased in renal impairment and therefore the dose should be reduced in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. No dosage adjustment is needed in mild or moderate hepatic impairment.
Breast feeding
Eletriptan is distributed into breast milk and the manufacturer has suggested that infant exposure can be minimised by avoiding breast feeding for 24 hours after treatment.
Interactions
As for Sumatriptan.
Eletriptan should not be given with potent inhibitors of the cytochrome P450 isoenzyme CYP3A4 such as erythromycin and ketoconazole; increased plasma levels of eletriptan have been noted after such combinations. It is recommended that eletriptan should not be taken within at least 72 hours of treatment with such drugs.
Pharmacokinetics
After oral doses eletriptan is rapidly and well absorbed (at least 81%) and has a bioavailability of about 50%. Peak plasma concentrations are attained within 1.5 hours. Eletriptan is about 85% protein bound. It is primarily metabolised by the hepatic cytochrome P450 isoenzyme CYP3 A4. Non-renal clearance accounts for about 90% of the elimination of eletriptan and the plasma elimination half-life is about 4 hours. A small amount is distributed into breast milk.
Uses and Administration
Eletriptan hydrobromide is a selective serotonin (5-HT1) agonist with actions and uses similar to those of sumatriptan. It is used for acute treatment of the headache phase of migraine attacks. It should not be used for prophylaxis. Eletriptan is given orally as the hydrobromide, but doses are expressed in terms of the base; eletriptan hydrobromide 24.2 mg is equivalent to about 20 mg of eletriptan.
The usual dose is 40 mg; if this is ineffective, a second dose should not be taken for the same attack. If symptoms recur within 24 hours after an initial response, a second dose may be taken after an interval of at least 2 hours. Doses of 80 mg may be used in subsequent attacks, but should not be repeated within a 24-hour period. For doses in renal impairment, see below.
Administration in renal impairment
In the UK, a dose of 20 mg of eletriptan is recommended in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 40 mg. Eletriptan should not be used in severe impairment.
Migraine
For comparison of the relative benefits of different triptans in migraine, see under Sumatriptan.
Single-ingredient Preparations
Austria: Relpax;
Belgium: Relert;
Brazil: Relpax¤;
Czech Republic: Relpax;
Denmark: Relpax;
Finland: Relert;
France: Relpax;
Germany: Relpax;
Greece: Relpax;
Hungary: Relpax;
Israel: Relert;
Italy: Relpax;
Mexico: Relpax;
Netherlands: Relpax;
Norway: Relpax;
South Africa: Relpax;
Singapore: Relpax;
Spain: Relert; Relpax;
Sweden: Relpax;
Switzerland: Relpax;
United Kingdom: Relpax;
United States: Relpax
Jennifer is a clinical pharmacologist. She helps doctors of all medical specialties choose medications. Jennifer consults about drug dosage, interactions, and side effects.