Eletriptan is a medical agent from the group of triptans (5-HT1 agonists). It is mainly used for the treatment of acute headaches as well as migraine. Electriptan achieves its effectiveness by reducing the release of serotonin in the brain.
What is eletriptan?
The active ingredient eletriptan is found in numerous migraine medications. The drug belongs to the group of triptans. As such, it is primarily used to treat migraines and severe headaches. Chemically, electriptan is an antagonist of serotonin receptors. Serotonin is an important brain messenger responsible for, among other things, constriction of blood vessels. Elektriptan is described as subtype 5-HAT 1B/1D and was first patented in 1992. Replax and similar drugs containing this active ingredient are generally considered prescription-only in the European Union. Therefore, they cannot be purchased without a doctor’s prescription. The drug is marketed as film-coated tablets, each containing either 20 mg or 40 mg of eletriptan.
Pharmacologic Action
As a subtype of a serotonin antagonist, electriptan acts primarily at brain serotonin receptors. The drug also exerts affinity for receptors of the 5-HAT 1F subtype, which some parts of the scientific literature believe contributes to its efficacy. 5-HAT 1F receptors are found on cerebral blood vessels as well as neurons. Eleptriptan triggers a noticeable and measurable decrease in serotonin release. This prevents the body’s blood vessels from constricting further, providing rapid relief of the headache. In addition, electriptan also blocks the release of other pain-triggering inflammatory mediators such as substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptides. As a result, the migraine-typical headache experienced by sufferers subsides considerably.
Medical application and use
Electriptan is found in a group of drugs called serotonin receptor agonists. Drugs containing the active ingredient block the release of serotonin in the brain, among other things. They are used to treat migraine headaches. They are suitable for headaches with or without aura. Aura refers to visual disturbances, numbness, and speech disturbances that may occur before the onset of a migraine attack.
Risks and side effects
Electriptan may cause side effects. It should not be taken under any circumstances if there are existing intolerances. Common side effects (occurring in 1 to 10 out of every 100 people treated) are:
Chills, general weakness, chest discomfort,
general stomach upset (indigestion), nausea,
general stiffness of the muscles ([[muscle tension
tension]]), sweating, redness of the skin, back pain, and
Muscle weakness. Occasionally, there may also be shortness of breath, yawning, swelling of the face or hands and feet, increased sense of touch, visual disturbances,
Eye pain, dry or watery eyes,
frequent bladder emptying, and increased urine volume or
urine volume or problems with urination.
may occur. Rare side effects, on the other hand, include asthma, hives,
Swelling of the tongue, shock,
swelling of the lymph nodes,
mood changes, voice changes,
heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
menstrual periods in
women, and a
slowed heartbeat. It is not allowed to take this medicine if you have severe kidney or liver dysfunction, elevated blood pressure, a history of heart problems (e.g., angina, heart attack, or arrhythmia), impaired blood flow, if you have taken medications such as ergotamine shortly before taking this medicine, or if you have had a stroke in the past. Electriptan may interact significantly with other medications. It should not be taken at all if medicines containing ergotamine or similar to ergotamine have been taken 24 hours previously. There are also interactions with drugs for the treatment of HIV infection and AIDS (e.g. indinavir, ritonavir or nelfinavir), preparations for the treatment of fungal infections (e.g. ketoconazole or itraconazole), drugs for the treatment of bacterial infections (e.g. clarithromycin, josamycin or erythromycin). Taking medicines containing electriptan for several weeks may cause a long-lasting headache.
