Relpax Medication - Uses & Side Effects

ELETRIPTAN (Relpax®) helps to relieve a migraine attack (an intense, throbbing headache often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and increased sensitivity to light and noise). A migraine may start with or without aura (an unusual feeling or change in vision that warns you of an attack). Eletriptan works by reducing swelling around the blood vessels in your brain and by blocking release of a chemical from your nerve endings.

Relpax Dosage

• When a headache begins, take one 20-milligram or 40-milligram tablet. If the first dose does not relieve the headache, check with your doctor before taking a second one.
• If the headache goes away but returns later, a second dose may be taken if 2 hours have elapsed since the first dose. Do not take more than 80 milligrams of Relpax in a 24-hour period.
• Relpax is not recommended for use in children under 18 years old.

Uses of Relpax

• 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.

Side Effects of Relpax

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Relpax. Side effects may include:

• Chest tightness or pressure
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• headache
• nausea
• sleepiness
• tingling
• weakness

Warnings and precautions before taking Relpax :

• In rare cases, medications similar to Relpax have caused heart attack, stroke, and certain types of ischemia (restricted blood flow to an area). Call your doctor immediately if you experience chest pains, shortness of breath, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, trouble speaking or seeing, loss of balance, bloody diarrhea, or stomach pain.
• If you are at risk for stroke or heart disease, your doctor may perform cardiovascular tests to be sure it is safe for you to take Relpax. Your doctor may ask you to take the first dose of Relpax in the office, where you can be monitored for cardiac side effects.
• Since Relpax can make you drowsy or dizzy, do not participate in activities that require full alertness until you are certain of the drug's effect.
• Relpax can cause a slight increase in blood pressure, especially in people with kidney problems and the elderly. Your doctor will monitor you closely to make sure your blood pressure stays at a safe level. If you develop high blood pressure that can't be controlled, you'll have to stop taking Relpax.

Drug Interaction :- If Relpax is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Never take Relpax within 24 hours of using another migraine or headache drug, including:

• Almotriptan (Axert)
  
• Dihydroergotamine (DHE-45, Migranal)
  
• Ergotamine (Cafergot)
  
• Frovatriptan (Frova)
  
• Methysergide (Sansert)
  
• Naratriptan (Amerge)
  
• Rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT)
  
• Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
  
• Zolmitriptan (Zomig)

Overdose

Symptoms of an overdose are not known but might include :

• tremor
• tingling
• heaviness
• redness
• a warm feeling in the arms and/or legs
• irregular breathing
• large pupils
• feeling uncoordinated
• tiredness
• nausea
• dizziness
• seizures
• bluish skin
• chest pain.