What Is Eletriptan Used For?

Some people may wonder, "What is eletriptan used for?" Eletriptan is prescribed to relieve the symptoms of a migraine headache as it occurs. The medication is not designed to prevent migraines from occurring. Eletriptan may be used "off-label" for treating cluster headaches. The medication has not been approved for use in children.

 

What Is Eletriptan Used For?

Eletriptan hydrobromide (Relpax®) is a prescription medication used to treat migraine headaches.
 

Using Eletriptan for Migraines

Migraine headaches are different from other headaches in many ways. Some of the most common migraine symptoms include:
 
  • Headache pain on one side of the head
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Throbbing headache pain
  • Upset stomach (nausea) and vomiting
  • Unusual vision changes.
     
Some people may have an aura before their migraines occur. An aura can be any unusual sign that a migraine is about to happen, including vision changes, numbness, tingling, or speech changes. The most common type of an aura is visual (seeing spots, tunnel vision, or other vision changes). Some people have migraine triggers, which are certain foods, drinks, or situations that seem to lead to a migraine (see Migraine Diet for more information).
 
Eletriptan is approved for treating migraines with or without an aura. Eletriptan is part of a class of migraine medications called 5-HT agonists (or more commonly known as "triptans"). During a migraine headache, some of the blood vessels in the head become dilated (wider than they usually are). Eletriptan works by narrowing these blood vessels, helping them return to their normal state. This action helps to relieve the symptoms of a migraine.
 
Due to the way it works, eletriptan is not designed for migraine prevention. Eletriptan is taken to lessen the pain and other symptoms of a migraine once it starts.
 
(What Is Eletriptan Used For? Continued: Page 2)
Add this article to your Favorites     Email this article     Print
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;