Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Relpax vs. Axert

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Eletriptan (Relpax) and almotriptan (Axert) are both triptans used to treat migraine attacks. Eletriptan is a generic, while almotriptan is also available in generic form but its brand Axert is no longer available. Eletriptan is typically taken in 20 mg or 40 mg doses, with a maximum of 80 mg per day, and starts working within 30 minutes but can take 2 hours for its full effects. Almotriptan comes in 6.25 mg and 12.5 mg doses, with a maximum of 25 mg per day, and provides relief within 2 hours. Eletriptan is only for adults, whereas almotriptan can be used by children 12 years and older. Both medications can cause side effects like dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, and headache. Eletriptan is not recommended for people with severe liver damage, while almotriptan should be avoided by those with sulfa allergies. Both medications should not be taken more than 10 days per month to avoid worsening headaches.

  • Eletriptan (Relpax)
    Almotriptan
  • Eletriptan (Relpax)
    Almotriptan

  • Summary of Relpax vs. Axert

    Summary for Triptan
    Prescription only

    Eletriptan, also known by its brand name Relpax, is a triptan that's a first-choice treatment option for adults who have migraine attacks with or without aura. This medication is available as a tablet that's taken by mouth at the first sign of a migraine attack. The dosage can be repeated 2 hours later if the migraine comes back or doesn't go away. Side effects include making you sleepy and dizzy. Eletriptan (Relpax) is available as a lower-cost generic.

    Summary for Triptan
    Prescription only

    Almotriptan is a type of migraine medication called a triptan. It treats migraine with or without aura in adults and certain children age 12 to 17 years. Its brand name Axert has been discontinued, so almotriptan is now only available as a generic. Almotriptan is a tablet that's swallowed whole when a migraine starts. You can take another tablet at least 2 hours later if the medication doesn't completely relieve your migraine. Side effects include sleepiness and headache.

  • Indications of Relpax vs. Axert

    Indications for
    •Treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in adults
    Indications for
    •Treatment of migraine attacks in adults with a history of migraine with or without aura
    •Treatment of migraine pain in children age 12 to 17 years with a history of migraine with or without aura that lasts 4 hours or more

  • Pros and Cons of Relpax vs. Axert

    Pros and Const for Triptan
    Pros
    •Might provide migraine pain relief for a longer period of time than other triptans
    •One of the first-choice options for short-term treatment of migraines
    •Starts to work after 30 minutes
    •Available as a lower-cost, generic
    Cons
    •Only available as a tablet that's swallowed whole
    •Not recommended for people with severe liver damage
    •Not known if it's safe or works well for children
    •Not used for preventing migraines or treating other types of headaches
    Pros and Const for Triptan
    Pros
    •A first-choice option for treating a migraine attack in adults
    •Approved for certain children 12 years and older
    •Might start working as soon as 30 minutes after taking the 12.5 mg strength
    Cons
    •Might not be a good option for people who have trouble swallowing pills whole during a migraine
    •Not used to prevent migraine or to treat other types of headaches
    •Must wait at least 2 hours to take another tablet if the first dose didn't fully relieve the migraine

  • Common Side Effects of Relpax vs. Axert

    Common Side Effects for
    •Dizziness (up to 6%)
    •Sleepiness (up to 6%)
    •Nausea (up to 5%)
    •Body weakness (up to 5%)
    •"Pins and needles" feeling in the arms or legs (3%)
    Common Side Effects for

    Adults:

    •Nausea (1-2%)
    •Dry mouth (1%)
    •"Pins and needles" feeling in the arms or legs (1%)

    Children age 12 years and older:

    •Sleepiness (up to 5%)
    •Dizziness (3-4%)
    •Nausea (1-3%)
    •Vomiting (up to 2%)
    •Headache (1-2%)
    •"Pins and needles" feeling in the arms or legs (1%)

  • Warnings of Relpax vs. Axert

    Common Side Effects for
    •Heart problems and high blood pressure
    •Stroke or other brain injury
    •Extreme narrowing of blood vessels
    •Worsened headaches if eletriptan (Relpax) is taken too often
    •Serotonin syndrome
    Common Side Effects for
    •Heart attack, chest pain (angina), and irregular heart rhythm
    •Stroke or other brain injury
    •Extreme narrowing of blood vessels
    •Serotonin syndrome
    •Worse headaches if you take almotriptan too often
    •High blood pressure
    •Serious allergic reaction

  • Prices with our coupons for Relpax vs. Axert

    Learn more about Eletriptan
    Learn more about Almotriptan

Compare other Migraine drugs

Fioricet vs RelpaxFiorinal vs RelpaxImitrex vs RelpaxMaxalt vs RelpaxRelpax vs AmergeRelpax vs AxertRelpax vs CafergotRelpax vs ErgotamineRelpax vs ZomigUbrelvy vs RelpaxAmerge vs CafergotEffexor vs FioricetElavil vs FioricetEmgality vs FioricetEmgality vs MaxaltFioricet vs AxertFioricet vs FrovaFioricet vs ZomigImitrex vs MaxaltMaxalt vs AmergeMaxalt vs AxertMaxalt vs CafergotMaxalt vs ErgotamineMaxalt vs FioricetMaxalt vs FrovaMaxalt vs TreximetMaxalt vs ZomigPropranolol vs FioricetReyvow vs MaxaltTopamax vs Fioricet
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.