Migraine medication provides relief

Nurse Practitioner, Apr 2003

Medication Update

PAIN TREATMENT

Pfizer has received FDA approval for its acute treatment of migraine, eletriptan HBr (Relpax) tablets. Eletriptan is a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine 1B/1D (5-HT1B/1D) receptor agonist that acts at serotonin 5HT 1B receptors on intracranial blood vessels and 5HT 1B receptors on sensory nerve endings to relieve the pain and associated symptoms of a migraine attack.

In clinical trials involving over 9,000 patients, eletriptan was shown to relieve migraine pain and associated symptoms, including nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.

Eletriptan is available in 20-mg and 40-mg doses; the maximum recommended single dose of eletriptan is 40 mg.

The most common side effects reported in clinical trials included fatigue, somnolence, nausea, and dizziness. Eletriptan should not be used by patients with severe hepatic impairment, or those older than 65 years, or younger than 18. Eletriptan should not be used within 72 hours of potent CYP3A4 inhibitors.