Eletriptan Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 27, 2023.

Applies to eletriptan: oral tablet.

Serious side effects of Eletriptan

Along with its needed effects, eletriptan may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking eletriptan:

Less common

• Chest pain or tightness
• difficulty with swallowing
• tightness in the throat

Rare

• Chest discomfort
• dizziness
• headache
• nausea
• nosebleeds
• numbness or tingling in the face, arms or legs
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back or neck
• sweating
• vision problems
• vomiting

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• agitation
• bloody diarrhea
• confusion
• cough
• diarrhea
• difficulty in speaking
• fainting
• fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• fever
• inability to move arms, legs, or facial muscles
• overactive reflexes
• pain in the arms legs, or lower back, especially pain in calves or heels upon exertion
• pale, bluish-colored, or cold hands or feet
• paleness or cold feeling in fingertips and toes
• poor coordination
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• restlessness
• seizures
• severe or sudden headache
• shivering
• skin rash, hives, or itching
• slurred speech
• sudden loss of coordination
• sweating
• talking or acting with excitement you cannot control
• tingling or pain in the fingers or toes when exposed to cold
• trembling or shaking
• twitching
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weak or absent pulses in the legs
• weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe

Other side effects of Eletriptan

Some side effects of eletriptan may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Lack or loss of strength
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

Less common

• Acid or sour stomach
• belching
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings
• dry mouth
• heartburn
• indigestion
• stomach soreness or discomfort
• stomach upset

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to eletriptan: oral tablet.

General

The most commonly reported adverse events have included asthenia, nausea, dizziness, and somnolence.^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Chest tightness/pain/pressure, palpitation

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypertension, peripheral vascular disorder, tachycardia

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Angina pectoris, arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, AV block, bradycardia, hypotension, syncope, thrombophlebitis, vasospasm, shock

Very rare (less than 0.01%): Acute myocardial infarction, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, coronary artery vasospasm, transient myocardial ischemia

Frequency not reported: Edema^[Ref]

Transient, dose-related increases in blood pressure (BP) have been observed, particularly in the elderly and among patients with renal impairment, and predominantly increases to diastolic BP. One patients with hepatic cirrhosis experienced a BP of 220/96 mmHg 5 hours after a receiving an 80 mg dose.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Abdominal pain/discomfort/stomach pain/cramps/pressure, dry mouth, dyspepsia, nausea

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dysphagia, throat tightness/difficulty swallowing, anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, eructation, esophagitis, flatulence, gastritis, gastrointestinal disorder, glossitis, increased salivation

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Enlarged abdomen, halitosis, gingivitis, hematemesis, stomatitis, tongue disorder, tongue edema, tooth disorder

Postmarketing reports: Ischemic colitis, vomiting^[Ref]

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Paresthesia, dizziness, somnolence, headache, hypertonia, hyperesthesia, myasthenia

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ataxia, incoordination, speech disorder, stupor, tremor, taste perversion

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Abnormal gait, aphasia, dystonia, hemiplegia, hyperalgesia, hypokinesia, neuropathy, paralysis, twitching, parosmia

Frequency not reported: Serotonin syndrome

Postmarketing reports: Seizure, cerebrovascular accident^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Postmarketing reports: Allergic reactions including angioedema^[Ref]

Endocrine

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Goiter, thyroid adenoma, thyroiditis, breast pain^[Ref]

Hematologic

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anemia, leukopenia, purpura, lymphadenopathy^[Ref]

Metabolic

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Thirst

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Increased appetite, weight gain, weight loss^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Back pain^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Pharyngitis, throat tightness

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Asthma, dyspnea, respiratory disorder, respiratory tract infection, rhinitis, voice alteration, yawn

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Bronchitis, choking sensation, increased cough, epistaxis, hyperventilation, laryngitis, sinusitis, increased sputum^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Sweating

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Face edema, pruritus, rash, skin disorder

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Alopecia, dry skin, eczema, exfoliative dermatitis, maculopapular rash, psoriasis, skin discoloration, skin hypertrophy, urticaria^[Ref]

Ocular

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal vision, conjunctivitis, eye pain, lacrimation disorder, photophobia

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Oculogyric crisis, dry eyes, eye hemorrhage, ptosis, diplopia, abnormality of accommodation^[Ref]

Other

Common (1% to 10%): Asthenia, flushing/feeling of warmth, chills, malaise, vertigo

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Ear pain, tinnitus

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Fever, hypothermia, otitis media^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Impotence, polyuria, urinary frequency, urinary tract disorder

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Menstrual disorder, menorrhagia, vaginitis^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal dreams, agitation, anxiety, apathy, depersonalization, depression, emotional lability euphoria, insomnia, nervousness

Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Amnesia, catatonic reaction, hallucinations, manic reaction, hysteria, neurosis, psychotic depression, sleep disorder^[Ref]

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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