A triptan migraine medicine
Eletriptan
A fast-acting, effective triptan taken at the start of a migraine attack to relieve the headache and its accompanying symptoms.
What is Eletriptan?
Eletriptan is a triptan used to treat migraine attacks once the headache has started. It is considered one of the more effective and fast-acting triptans for many people. It treats attacks rather than preventing them, and should not be combined with certain medicines that strongly affect how the liver breaks it down.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Eletriptan — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Eletriptan is a triptan used in the UK to treat migraine attacks. It is one of the later triptans to be introduced and is often regarded as among the more effective options, with a relatively quick onset. It is taken when a migraine headache has started and can relieve the pain along with the nausea and sensitivity to light and sound. Like other triptans, it treats individual attacks and is not used to prevent migraine.
How it works
Eletriptan acts on serotonin (5-HT) receptors involved in migraine. It narrows the blood vessels around the brain that widen during an attack and reduces the release of pain- and inflammation-causing chemicals from nerve endings, settling the migraine process. Because it acts on the migraine mechanism rather than simply masking pain, it tends to be more effective for migraine than ordinary painkillers and works best when taken early.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Pfizer.
Developed by Pfizer and introduced in the early 2000s as one of the later triptans, noted for being fast-acting and effective for many people.
What it treats
Conditions Eletriptan is used for
Practical use
How to take Eletriptan
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- Take it as soon as the migraine headache starts, not during the aura and not to prevent attacks.
- Swallow the tablet with water.
- If the migraine eases and then returns, a repeat dose may be taken after the recommended interval, within the daily maximum.
- If the first dose has no effect on the attack, do not take a second dose for the same attack.
- Avoid it if you are taking a medicine that strongly blocks the liver enzyme CYP3A4 — check with a pharmacist.
- Do not take it within 24 hours of another triptan or an ergotamine-type medicine, and limit monthly use.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Eletriptan
Advantages
- Fast-acting and effective for many people with migraine.
- Treats the pain and the associated nausea and light/sound sensitivity together.
- Acts on the migraine process itself, so more effective than ordinary painkillers.
- Can be repeated within an attack if the migraine returns, within daily limits.
Disadvantages
- Must be avoided with certain strong CYP3A4-blocking medicines.
- Only treats attacks once started — it does not prevent migraine.
- Can cause chest or throat tightness, tingling, drowsiness and dizziness.
- Overuse can lead to medication-overuse (rebound) headache.
Practical use
Good to know
Eletriptan is taken at the start of the migraine headache, not during the aura and not as a preventer. It is broken down in the liver by a system called CYP3A4, so it should be avoided with medicines that strongly block this system (some antifungals, certain antibiotics, some HIV medicines), which can raise eletriptan levels. As with all triptans, do not use it within 24 hours of another triptan or ergotamine, and limit how often you use it to avoid medication-overuse headache.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People with heart disease, angina, a previous heart attack or stroke, or narrowed blood vessels.
- People with uncontrolled or markedly raised high blood pressure.
- Anyone taking a medicine that strongly blocks CYP3A4 (some antifungals, certain antibiotics, some HIV medicines).
- Anyone who has taken another triptan or an ergotamine within the past 24 hours.
- Tell your prescriber if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding, as triptans are generally avoided or used with caution then.
Monitoring
- Blood pressure and heart-health risk should be reviewed before triptans are started.
- Check current medicines for strong CYP3A4 inhibitors before starting eletriptan.
- Keep track of how many days a month migraine medicines are used, and report chest tightness or a very fast heartbeat.
Side effects
- Tingling, warmth or a tight, heavy feeling in the chest, throat, neck or jaw — usually brief.
- Drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness or weakness.
- Nausea, although it also helps the sickness of the migraine itself.
- Rarely, serotonin syndrome (agitation, sweating, shivering, fast heartbeat) with certain antidepressants — seek urgent advice.
Key interactions
- Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (some antifungals, certain antibiotics, some HIV medicines) raise eletriptan levels — avoid together.
- Other triptans and ergotamine medicines — do not combine or use within 24 hours of each other.
- SSRI and SNRI antidepressants raise the small risk of serotonin syndrome.
- MAOI antidepressants — eletriptan is generally avoided around their use.
Available as: Tablets taken by mouth.
Answers
Eletriptan: frequently asked questions
Is eletriptan stronger than other triptans?
Eletriptan is often considered one of the more effective and fast-acting triptans, but the 'best' triptan varies from person to person. Some people respond better to one triptan than another.
Which medicines must I avoid with eletriptan?
Avoid medicines that strongly block the liver enzyme CYP3A4 — these include some antifungals, certain antibiotics and some HIV medicines — as they can raise eletriptan levels. Always check with your pharmacist.
When should I take it during a migraine?
Take it as soon as the headache phase starts. It does not help during the aura beforehand and is not used to prevent attacks.
Can I take a second dose if my migraine returns?
Yes, usually after the recommended interval and within the daily maximum. If the first dose did nothing at all, do not repeat it for the same attack.
Can using it too often be a problem?
Yes. Using triptans on too many days a month can cause medication-overuse headache, so keep use limited and ask about prevention if attacks are frequent.
The wider class
About Triptans
Eletriptan belongs to the triptans class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.
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Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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