Eletriptan Side Effects
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Nov 24, 2024.
Applies to eletriptan: oral tablet.
Common 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 side effects
- lack or loss of strength
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
Less common side effects
- 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
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 side effects
- chest pain or tightness
- difficulty with swallowing
- tightness in the throat
Rare side effects
- 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
For healthcare professionals
Applies to eletriptan: oral tablet.
General adverse events
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]
References
1. (2003) "Product Information. Relpax (eletriptan)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
More about eletriptan
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (180)
- Drug images
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: antimigraine agents
- Breastfeeding
- En español
Patient resources
Other brands
Professional resources
Other brands
Related treatment guides
Further information
Eletriptan side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.