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Eletriptan Coupon - Eletriptan 40mg tablet

eletriptan

Generic Relpax
Used for Migraine
Used for Migraine

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.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
Last reviewed on June 25, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Eletriptan (Relpax)?

What is Eletriptan (Relpax) used for?

How Eletriptan (Relpax) works

Eletriptan (Relpax) is a triptan. It relieves migraines by attaching to serotonin receptors in your brain. Serotonin is a chemical in the body that's thought to play a role in causing migraines.

When eletriptan (Relpax) attaches to the serotonin receptors in the brain, it tightens the blood vessels there and lessens blood vessel swelling that can cause migraine pain. The medication also interrupts other pain signals from your nerves, which helps further relieve migraine pain.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsRelpax
Drug ClassTriptan
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only

More on Eletriptan (Relpax) essentials

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Written by Hindu Rao, PharmD, APh, BCACP
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What are the side effects of Eletriptan (Relpax)?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • 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%)

Other Side Effects

  • Headache
  • Dry mouth
  • Flushing or feeling of warmth
  • Heartburn
  • Stomach pain, cramps, or pressure
  • Chest tightness, pain, or pressure
  • Throat tightness or difficulty swallowing

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Heart problems: heart attack, severe headache, chest pain, trouble breathing, irregular heartbeat
  • Extremely high blood pressure: severe headache, confusion, shortness of breath, chest pain, changes in vision
  • Stroke: sudden weakness on one side of your body, severe headache, changes in your speech or vision, confusion
  • Narrowing of blood vessels in the body: bloody diarrhea; severe stomach pain; partial or permanent blindness; vision problems; tightness, weakness, numbness of legs or feet
  • Serotonin syndrome: fast heart rate, dizziness, sweating, flushing, tremor (shakiness), muscle stiffness or twitching, uncoordinated movement, hallucinations
  • Severe allergic reaction: hives, trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Chest pain or tightness

difficulty with swallowing

tightness in the throat

Rare

Chest discomfort

dizziness

headache

nausea

nosebleeds

numbness or tingling in the face, arms or legs

pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back or neck

sweating

vision problems

vomiting

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach pain

agitation

bloody diarrhea

confusion

cough

diarrhea

difficulty in speaking

fainting

fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse

fever

inability to move arms, legs, or facial muscles

overactive reflexes

pain in the arms legs, or lower back, especially pain in calves or heels upon exertion

pale, bluish-colored, or cold hands or feet

paleness or cold feeling in fingertips and toes

poor coordination

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

restlessness

seizures

severe or sudden headache

shivering

skin rash, hives, or itching

slurred speech

sudden loss of coordination

sweating

talking or acting with excitement you cannot control

tingling or pain in the fingers or toes when exposed to cold

trembling or shaking

twitching

unusual tiredness or weakness

weak or absent pulses in the legs

weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Lack or loss of strength

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

Less common

Acid or sour stomach

belching

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings

dry mouth

heartburn

indigestion

stomach soreness or discomfort

stomach upset

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Eletriptan (Relpax)

thumbs-up

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

thumbs-down

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

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Eletriptan (Relpax)

pharmacist

  • Take eletriptan (Relpax) at the first sign of a migraine. You can take the medication with or without food.

    • If your migraine comes back or if it doesn't completely go away after at least 2 hours since you've taken eletriptan (Relpax), you can take a second dose of the medication. Don't take a second dose of eletriptan (Relpax) any sooner than 2 hours from your previous dose because this can cause more side effects, like sleepiness and dizziness.

      • You might feel some tightness, pressure, or pain in the chest, throat, jaw, or neck area after you take eletriptan (Relpax). This feeling usually doesn't last long and goes away. Keep in mind that these symptoms are very similar to those of a heart attack or other heart problems. Get medical help right away if this sensation worsens or if it doesn't go away.

        • It's possible for eletriptan (Relpax) to make you sleepy, dizzy, or weak. Don't drive or do anything that you need to pay attention for until you know how this medication affects you.

          • It's best to avoid alcohol while you're taking eletriptan (Relpax). Alcohol can worsen side effects like sleepiness and dizziness, as well as raise your likelihood of having another migraine.

            • Eletriptan (Relpax) isn't meant to be used to treat more than 3 migraines per month. It's not clear whether it's safe to take the medication to treat a lot of migraines over a month. Talk to your prescriber if you finish your entire month's supply of eletriptan (Relpax) before it's time for your next refill or if you have more than 3 migraines in a month. Your prescriber can discuss with you about other treatment options or medications to help prevent migraine.

              • Write down when you have headaches and how often you take eletriptan (Relpax) and any other migraine medications. It's important to keep track of how many days you need to take migraine medication in a month. This is because taking migraine medications too often (for 10 or more days per month) can cause your headaches to get worse (medication overuse headaches).

                • Give your healthcare team and pharmacist an updated list of all the medications and over-the-counter products you're taking or planning to take. Some drug interactions with eletriptan (Relpax) can be harmful. Your prescriber might adjust the dose of your medications or switch you to different medications to avoid these interactions.

                  • Let your care team know if you're breastfeeding. It's expected for there to be low levels of eletriptan (Relpax) in breast milk if you take the medication while you're nursing. Because it's unclear whether this is safe for your baby, the manufacturer recommends to avoid breastfeeding for 24 hours after you take a dose of eletriptan (Relpax). Discuss with your care team about risks and benefits of taking this medication while breastfeeding.

                    More on Eletriptan (Relpax) tips

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                    Written by Kevin Le, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS
                    faqs

                    Frequently asked questions about Eletriptan (Relpax)

                    How long does eletriptan (Relpax) take to work?
                    Eletriptan (Relpax) starts to provide migraine pain relief after about 30 minutes. But it can take up to 2 hours for you to be completely pain free.
                    Can you take eletriptan (Relpax) with ibuprofen or Tylenol?
                    It's generally considered safe to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil) with eletriptan (Relpax). These pain relievers don't interact with eletriptan (Relpax). Taking eletriptan (Relpax) with acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) can potentially work better to relieve migraines than taking any of these medications alone. But keep in mind that these other pain relievers might not be safe for everyone because they have their own risks (e.g., liver risks, heart risks, kidney problems). Before you use other pain medications with eletriptan (Relpax), speak with your primary care provider to make sure it's safe for you to do so.
                    How many eletriptan (Relpax) can I take?
                    You can take up to two doses of eletriptan (Relpax) within a 24-hour period to help treat a migraine. Make sure to take the second dose at least 2 hours after the first if you need more migraine relief. Also, only take eletriptan (Relpax) for up to three migraines in a 30-day period; it's not known how safe it is to take the medication too many times. Speak with your prescriber about other treatment options to help if you still have a migraine after you've taken two doses of eletriptan (Relpax) in a day or if you've already used the medication for three migraines in a month.
                    Can you cut eletriptan (Relpax) in half?
                    No, you can't cut the eletriptan (Relpax) tablets in half (or at all) because they don't have a score line (an indented line in the middle of the tablet). Trying to cut a non-scored tablet can be unsafe. It can also be difficult to evenly cut, even if you're using a pill splitter, which can cause you to take the wrong dose. Talk to your prescriber if you're having trouble swallowing eletriptan (Relpax).
                    What's the difference between eletriptan and sumatriptan?
                    Eletriptan and sumatriptan are both triptans. Triptans are a class of medications that are first-choice treatment options for migraine. Both medications are taken at the first sign of a migraine. But eletriptan only comes as tablets, whereas sumatriptan comes in many different formulations (e.g, tablets, injection under the skin, nasal spray, nasal powder). Studies show that eletriptan might provide more migraine relief than sumatriptan within two hours of taking the medication. Studies also found that an eletriptan dose might relieve migraine pain for a longer period of time than a sumatriptan dose. Talk to your care team if you have more questions about comparing eletriptan to sumatriptan.
                    Can you drink alcohol while you're taking eletriptan (Relpax)?
                    Alcohol doesn't appear to interact with eletriptan (Relpax) or affect how the medication works. But it's still best to avoid alcohol while you're taking eletriptan (Relpax) because alcohol can raise your risk for or worsen side effects from the medication, such as sleepiness, dizziness, and nausea. Alcohol can also trigger migraines. Talk to a member of your care team if it's not possible for you to avoid alcohol. They can provide resources or recommend certain treatment programs to help you quit drinking alcohol.
                    Can you take eletriptan (Relpax) while pregnant?
                    Speak with your prescriber or obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) if you can take eletriptan (Relpax) while pregnant. It isn't completely clear how safe eletriptan (Relpax) is during pregnancy. To be safe, it's best to always discuss the risks and benefits of taking eletriptan (Relpax) during pregnancy with your prescriber or OB-GYN.
                    Is eletriptan (Relpax) a narcotic?
                    No. Although eletriptan (Relpax) is a medication that helps with pain (specifically related to migraines), it isn't a narcotic. Narcotics refer to opioid or opiate pain medications. And eletriptan (Relpax) isn't an opioid medication.
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                    What are the risks and warnings for Eletriptan (Relpax)?

                    Eletriptan (Relpax) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

                    risk-warning

                    Heart problems and high blood pressure

                    • Risk factors: History of heart problems | Age older than 65 | People who are considered obese | Diabetes | High blood pressure | Smoking

                      Although rare, some people have reported serious and sometimes life-threatening heart problems, such as heart attack and heart rhythm problems, within a few hours after they took eletriptan (Relpax). In addition, eletriptan (Relpax) might raise your blood pressure to dangerously high levels.

                      If you have a history of heart or blood circulation problems, talk to your cardiologist or primary care provider first to make sure eletriptan (Relpax) is as safe for you as possible. Depending on your medical history, you might not be able to take eletriptan (Relpax).

                      Periodically check your blood pressure if you're taking eletriptan (Relpax). Let your healthcare team know if your blood pressure is higher than usual. Get emergency help right away if you experience a heart attack, severe headache, chest pain, or irregular heartbeat.

                      risk-warning

                      Stroke or other brain injury

                      Some people who've taken triptans like eletriptan (Relpax) have had life-threatening strokes or bleeding in the brain. For this reason, you won't be able to take this medication if you've had a stroke in the past. Let your primary care provider know about your medical history.

                      Symptoms of stroke or other brain injuries include sudden weakness on one side of the body, severe headaches, drooping face, trouble breathing, or changes in your speech or vision. These symptoms can be similar to migraine symptoms, so strokes can be mistaken for a migraine. Stop taking eletriptan (Relpax) and get medical help as soon as possible if you notice symptoms of a stroke, especially if you haven't had a migraine before.

                      risk-warning

                      Extreme narrowing of blood vessels

                      Eletriptan (Relpax) can cause extreme narrowing of the blood vessels in different parts of your body. Depending on the location, this can lead to serious stomach problems (e.g., stomach pain, bloody diarrhea), vision problems, and changes in sensation in your hands and feet. Sometimes, it can cause symptoms similar to Raynaud's phenomenon, which can look like color changes in your hands and feet (can turn pale or more reddish depending on how much blood is flowing through). Don't take any more eletriptan (Relpax) until you see a member of your healthcare team if you notice these symptoms after you take the medication. They can check out what's going on.

                      risk-warning

                      Worsened headaches if eletriptan (Relpax) is taken too often

                      Taking more than the recommended dose of migraine medications, including eletriptan (Relpax), or taking them too often can cause them to not work as well. This can lead to having more migraine-like headaches or having migraine attacks more often. Let your primary care provider know if you're taking multiple migraine medications and if you need to take them for more than 9 days per month. Also, let them know if you have more than 3 migraine headaches a month while you're taking eletriptan (Relpax). Your primary care provider can talk with you about better options to help with migraines.

                      risk-warning

                      Serotonin syndrome

                      • Risk factors: Taking other medications that raise serotonin levels

                        Some people who take eletriptan (Relpax) have developed a rare, but potentially life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. This condition happens when there's too much serotonin in the brain.

                        Let your healthcare team know about all the medications you take before you start eletriptan (Relpax), as well as any medications you plan to take. Your risk for serotonin syndrome can be higher if you take eletriptan (Relpax) with other medications that can raise your serotonin levels, such as certain antidepressants, mental health medications, and other migraine medications.

                        Get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as fast heart rate, sweating, muscle stiffness or spasms, fever, and confusion.

                        dosage

                        Eletriptan (Relpax) dosage forms

                        The average cost for 12 tablets of 40mg of Eletriptan (Relpax) is $20.00 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 95.83% off the average retail price of $479.39.
                        tablet
                        Tablet
                        DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                        20mg6 tablets$26.26$4.38
                        40mg12 tablets$20.00$1.67

                        Typical dosing for Eletriptan (Relpax)

                        The typical dose is 20 mg or 40 mg by mouth once as a single dose for migraine pain. Don't take more than 40 mg for a single dose.

                        If your migraine comes back or if it doesn't completely go away, you can take another dose 2 hours after the first dose.

                        The maximum dose is 80 mg per day.

                        interactions

                        Interactions between Eletriptan (Relpax) and other drugs

                        Eletriptan (Relpax) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Eletriptan (Relpax). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                        Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

                        Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

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                        contraindications-icon

                        Eletriptan (Relpax) contraindications

                        Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Eletriptan (Relpax) will not be safe for you to take.
                        alternatives

                        What are alternatives to Eletriptan (Relpax)?

                        There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Eletriptan (Relpax). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                        Eletriptan (Relpax)
                        Used for:
                        $20.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                        Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
                        Used for:

                        • Treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura in adults

                        $11.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                        Rizatriptan (Maxalt)
                        Used for:
                        $14.40 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                        images

                        Eletriptan (Relpax) images

                        Orange Round 8311 And 93 - Eletriptan Hydrobromide 40mg Tablet
                        This medicine is Orange, Round Tablet Imprinted With "8311" And "93".Orange Round 8311 And 93 - Eletriptan Hydrobromide 40mg Tablet
                        Orange Round 8311 And 93 - Eletriptan Hydrobromide 40mg Tablet
                        This medicine is Orange, Round Tablet Imprinted With "8311" And "93".Orange Round 8311 And 93 - Eletriptan Hydrobromide 40mg Tablet
                        Orange Round E 2 - Eletriptan Hydrobromide 40mg Tablet
                        This medicine is Orange, Round Tablet Imprinted With "E 2".Orange Round E 2 - Eletriptan Hydrobromide 40mg Tablet
                        Orange Round E 2 - Eletriptan Hydrobromide 40mg Tablet
                        This medicine is Orange, Round Tablet Imprinted With "E 2".Orange Round E 2 - Eletriptan Hydrobromide 40mg Tablet
                        Orange Round Pfizer And Rep 40 - Eletriptan Hydrobromide 40mg Tablet
                        This medicine is Orange, Round Tablet Imprinted With "Rep 40" And "Pfizer".Orange Round Pfizer And Rep 40 - Eletriptan Hydrobromide 40mg Tablet
                        Brown Round 923 - Eletriptan Hydrobromide 40mg Tablet
                        This medicine is Brown, Round Tablet Imprinted With "923".Brown Round 923 - Eletriptan Hydrobromide 40mg Tablet

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                        References

                        Best studies we found

                        Ailani, J., et al. (2021). The American Headache Society consensus statement: Update on integrating new migraine treatments into clinical practice. Headache.

                        American Heart Association. (2022). Prinzmetal's or Prinzmetal angina, variant angina and angina inversa.

                        Cameron, C., et al. (2015). Triptans in the acute treatment of migraine: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Headache.

                        View All References (8)

                        Capi, M., et al. (2016). Eletriptan in the management of acute migraine: An update on the evidence for efficacy, safety, and consistent response. Therapeutic Advances in Neurological Disorders.

                        Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration. (2020). Narcotics.

                        Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®). (2024). Eletriptan. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

                        Feuerstadt, P. (2019). Small bowel ischemia. American College of Gastroenterology.

                        MedlinePlus. (2024). Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW).

                        Swarup, S., et al. (2023). Coronary artery vasospasm. StatPearls.

                        Thorlund, K., et al. (2014). Comparative efficacy of triptans for the abortive treatment of migraine: A multiple treatment comparison meta-analysis. Cephalagia.

                        Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. (2023). Eletriptan hydrobromide tablet, film coated [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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