Relpax

What is Relpax?

Relpax is a branded prescription-only medication that contains the active ingredient eletriptan hydrobromide. It belongs to a group of medications called selective serotonin receptor agonists or triptans and is used to treat active migraine headaches with or without aura in adults.

Relpax works to restrict swollen blood vessels in the brain that are responsible for causing the pain and associated symptoms of a migraine. It is available as a tablet that you swallow and is available in 20 or 40 mg doses.

How Does Relpax Work on Migraines?

The active ingredient in Relpax, eletriptan, works by binding to serotonin receptors in the brain to narrow swollen blood vessels and block pain signals, relieving a migraine. It also relieves other migraine symptoms, such as feeling sick (nausea) and sensitivity to light and sound.

It's believed that migraines occur because of a temporary widening of blood vessels in the brain, often caused by certain triggers, such as certain foods, hormonal changes, and stress. By binding to serotonin receptors, Relpax can treat an active migraine and quickly relieve the symptoms.

How Long Does Relpax Take to Work?

Relpax (eletriptan) starts working within 30 minutes of taking a dose, and most people notice significant improvement or relief within 2 hours. It works best when it is taken as soon as the migraine starts.

How Effective Are Relpax Migraine Tablets?

Eletriptan is one of the most effective oral medications available for migraine attacks, with one study showing that eletriptan was the most effective medication for providing pain relief within 2 hours. It has also been shown to effectively relieve other symptoms, such as feeling or being sick, and noise and light sensitivity.

Another study found that the reduction of moderate or severe headache pain to no or mild pain 2 hours after dosing occurred in 54% to 65% of people given a 40 mg dose and in 47 to 54% with the 20 mg dose compared to 19 to 40% given a placebo.

How to Take Relpax Tablets

Relpax should be taken exactly as it is prescribed by your clinician. You should check with them or a pharmacist if the instructions are unclear. You can take Relpax at any time after the start of a migraine headache, but it works best if you take it as soon as possible after symptoms begin.

You should only take Relpax during the headache phase of the migraine and not to prevent an attack. The usual starting dose is 40 mg, unless you have mild or moderate kidney problems. Then, a clinician may recommend a starting dose of 20 mg, with a maximum total daily dose of 40 mg.

To take Relpax, you should:

1. Swallow one 40 mg tablet whole with a drink of water as soon as you notice migraine symptoms.
2. If the first tablet does not relieve your migraine, do not take a second tablet for the same attack.
3. If after the first tablet, your migraine is relieved but then returns, you can take a second tablet. However, you must wait at least 2 hours after taking the first tablet to take the second tablet.
4. Do not take more than 80 mg or two 40 mg Relpax tablets within 24 hours.

If one 40 mg tablet does not provide any relief, speak to your doctor as they may advise increasing the dose to two 40 mg tablets for future attacks.

If You Forget to Take Relpax

If you forget to take Relpax, take it as soon as you remember unless it is time for your next dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

If You Take Too Many Relpax Pills

If you take more Relpax pills than you should, contact your doctor as soon as possible or go to the nearest A&E department. You should take the labelled medication box with you, even if there is no medication left. Side effects from taking too many Relpax migraine tablets include high blood pressure and heart problems.

Relpax Side Effects and Cautions

Relpax, like all medications, can cause side effects. It is helpful to familiarise yourself with the potential adverse effects and cautions before taking the medication. This will give you a better understanding of what to expect and when you may need to seek medical advice. If you get any side effects that concern you, speak to a doctor for advice.

Potential Side Effects of Relpax Tablets

Not everyone will experience Relpax side effects. For most people, the side effects are mild and temporary, and can even be caused by the migraine headache itself.

Some of the possible Relpax side effects are:

It's important to note that the above table does not contain a full list of potential Relpax side effects. More details can be found within the Patient Information Leaflet that comes with the medication. You can also report any adverse reactions that you experience to your clinician or via the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.

When to Speak to a Doctor

Tell your doctor straight away if you experience any of the following symptoms, or in an emergency call 999 or go to A&E:

• Allergic reaction: sudden wheeziness, difficulty breathing, swelling of the eyelids, face, or lips, rash or itching
• Ischaemic heart disease: chest pain and tightness, which may be intense and involve the throat
• Serotonin syndrome: restlessness, hallucinations, loss of co-ordination, fast heartbeat, increased body temperature, fast changes in blood pressure, and overactive reflexes

Repeat Use of Migraine Medicines

If you repeatedly use Relpax or any other migraine medications over several days or weeks, this can cause daily long-term headaches. If this happens, tell your doctor as you may need to stop treatment for a while.

Relpax Interactions and Warnings

Although they can be an effective treatment for migraines, Relpax tablets are not suitable for everyone and could interact with other medicines you are taking. You should therefore pay close attention to the Patient Information Leaflet or speak to a clinician if you're ever unsure about whether a treatment is safe to use.

Do not use Relpax tablets if you:

• Are allergic to eletriptan or any of the other ingredients in the medication (such as the dye Sunset Yellow Aluminium Lake (E110))
• Have severe liver or kidney disease
• Have moderate to severe high blood pressure or untreated mild high blood pressure
• Have ever had heart problems
• Have poor circulation
• Have ever had a stroke
• Are taking any other medicines that end in 'triptan' (such as sumatriptan, rizatriptan, or zolmitriptan)
• Have taken ergotamine or similar medicines within 24 hours before or after using Relpax

Precautions Before Taking Relpax

Before you start taking Relpax tablets, you should consult your clinician or doctor if you:

• Have diabetes
• Smoke or use nicotine replacement therapy
• Are male and over 40 years of age
• Are female and post-menopausal
• Or anybody in your family has coronary artery disease
• Have ever been told that you have an increased risk of heart disease
• Have an intolerance to some sugars, as Relpax contains lactose

Other Medicines and Relpax

Before taking Relpax, let the clinician know if you are taking any prescribed, over-the-counter or herbal medications. Do not take Relpax if you:

• Have taken ergotamine or medicines like ergotamine, including methysergide, in the 24 hours before or after taking Relpax
• Are taking any other medications that end in triptan, such as sumatriptan, rizatriptan, naratriptan, zolmitriptan, almotriptan and frovatriptan
• Take the herbal preparation St John's wort

Some medications can affect the way Relpax works, or Relpax can reduce the effectiveness of other medications, including those used to treat:

• Fungal infections (ketoconazole and itraconazole)
• Bacterial infections (erythromycin, clarithromycin, and josamycin)
• HIV and AIDS (ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir)

You should also let the clinician know before taking Relpax if you take medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) to treat depression and other mental health disorders. These medicines can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome when combined with certain migraine medications.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If you are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are trying to get pregnant, speak to your doctor before taking Relpax. You should also speak to your doctor if you are breastfeeding before taking Relpax, but it is advisable to avoid breastfeeding for 24 hours after taking this medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions About Relpax Tablets