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Triptan (5-HT₁B/1D agonist)

Eletriptan

Brand names: Relpax

Eletriptan is a triptan (5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist) used for the acute treatment of migraine attacks with or without aura.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It stimulates 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors, causing cranial vasoconstriction and inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory neuropeptides involved in migraine pain.

Prescribing in practice

  • Avoid in ischaemic heart disease, uncontrolled hypertension, and cerebrovascular or peripheral vascular disease because of the risk of vasospasm.
  • Do not combine with ergotamine-type medicines or other triptans within a short interval owing to additive vasoconstriction.
  • Frequent use can lead to medication-overuse headache.

Monitoring

Monitor migraine response, frequency of use to detect medication-overuse headache, and cardiovascular risk factors before and during use.

Counselling the patient

  • Take at the onset of migraine headache rather than during aura alone.
  • Limit the number of treatment days per month to avoid medication-overuse headache.
  • Report any chest tightness, pressure or pain after taking it.

Evidence & guidelines

Triptans, including eletriptan, are recommended by NICE for acute migraine and are supported by randomised controlled trials.

Reference: NICE NG150; BASH; ABN migraine guidance; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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