Updated: January 25, 2026

What Is Eletriptan? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Author

Peter Daggett

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What Is Eletriptan Used For?
What Drug Class Is Eletriptan?
Eletriptan Dosage: How to Take It
Who Should NOT Take Eletriptan?
Is Eletriptan a Controlled Substance?
Is Generic Eletriptan Available?

Eletriptan (Relpax) is a triptan used to treat acute migraine attacks. Learn what it treats, how to take it, and what to watch out for.

Eletriptan — sold under the brand name Relpax and manufactured by Pfizer — is a prescription medication used to stop migraine attacks in progress. It belongs to a class of drugs called triptans, which are specifically designed for migraine treatment and are considered a first-line option for most migraine patients. Here's everything you need to know about eletriptan in 2026.

What Is Eletriptan Used For?

The FDA approved eletriptan in December 2002 for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults. It is intended to stop a migraine attack that is already underway — not to prevent migraines from starting.

When taken at the first sign of a migraine, eletriptan helps relieve:

Head pain (including moderate to severe migraine pain)

Nausea and vomiting associated with migraines

Sensitivity to light (photophobia)

Sensitivity to sound (phonophobia)

Eletriptan is NOT approved for:

Preventive (prophylactic) treatment of migraines

Treatment of cluster headaches

Hemiplegic or basilar migraine (special migraine subtypes with specific contraindications)

Use in patients under 18 years of age (safety and effectiveness not established)

What Drug Class Is Eletriptan?

Eletriptan is a second-generation triptan — a selective serotonin 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist. It is one of seven triptans available in the United States (along with sumatriptan, rizatriptan, zolmitriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, and almotriptan). Triptans are the gold standard for acute migraine treatment and have been in use since sumatriptan was first approved in 1991.

Eletriptan is also on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, reflecting its recognized importance in global healthcare.

Eletriptan Dosage: How to Take It

Available strengths: 20 mg and 40 mg oral tablets

Recommended starting dose: 40 mg (the most commonly prescribed dose; 40 mg is more effective than 20 mg in clinical trials)

Second dose: If the migraine returns or doesn't fully resolve, a second 40 mg dose may be taken no sooner than 2 hours after the first

Maximum daily dose: 80 mg (two 40 mg doses) in any 24-hour period

How to take: Take by mouth at the first sign of a migraine. Can be taken with or without food. Swallow whole with water.

If a first attack treated with eletriptan produces no response, talk to your doctor before taking it again — the migraine diagnosis should be reassessed.

Who Should NOT Take Eletriptan?

Eletriptan is contraindicated in patients with:

Ischemic coronary artery disease (e.g., angina pectoris, history of heart attack)

Coronary artery vasospasm including Prinzmetal's angina

Uncontrolled hypertension

History of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Hemiplegic or basilar migraine

Severe hepatic (liver) impairment

Ischemic bowel disease

Recent use (within 72 hours) of potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir, itraconazole)

Recent use (within 24 hours) of another triptan or ergotamine-containing medication

Is Eletriptan a Controlled Substance?

No. Eletriptan is not a DEA-scheduled controlled substance. It requires a prescription but has no special handling, dispensing, or prescribing restrictions beyond normal prescription medication rules. There are no refill limitations imposed by the DEA.

Is Generic Eletriptan Available?

Yes. Generic eletriptan has been available since 2017, after Pfizer's patents on brand-name Relpax expired. Generic versions are bioequivalent to Relpax and significantly less expensive. With a GoodRx coupon, generic eletriptan costs as little as $21 for 6 tablets versus $500+ for brand-name Relpax.

Curious about how eletriptan actually stops a migraine? Read our detailed explanation of how eletriptan works. And if you need help finding it at a pharmacy near you, medfinder is here to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eletriptan is FDA-approved for the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults. It is taken at the first sign of a migraine to stop the attack in progress. It does not prevent migraines and is not used for cluster headaches or migraine prevention.

Eletriptan reaches peak plasma concentration in about 1.5–2 hours in migraine patients. Many patients notice headache relief within 1–2 hours of taking a dose. Taking it at the earliest sign of migraine onset (rather than waiting for severe pain) improves response rates.

Relpax is the brand name; eletriptan is the generic name. Relpax (by Pfizer) and generic eletriptan contain the same active ingredient and are bioequivalent. The primary difference is cost: brand Relpax can cost $500+, while generic eletriptan with a GoodRx coupon costs as little as $21 for 6 tablets.

No. Eletriptan is not intended for daily use or migraine prevention. Using it more than 3 times per week or on 10+ days per month can cause medication overuse headache (MOH), which makes headaches worse over time. If you need it that frequently, talk to your doctor about preventive migraine therapy.

Eletriptan is classified as FDA Category C for pregnancy. Animal studies showed some developmental toxicity at high doses. There is limited human data. Most guidelines recommend avoiding eletriptan during pregnancy unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk. Discuss with your doctor if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy.

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