WARNINGS
Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section
PRECAUTIONS
RELPAX should only be used where a clear diagnosis of migraine has been established.
Myocardial Ischemia, Myocardial Infarction, And Prinzmetal's Angina
RELPAX is contraindicated in patients with ischemic or vasospastic CAD. There have been rare
reports of serious cardiac adverse reactions, including acute myocardial infarction, occurring within a
few hours following administration of RELPAX. Some of these reactions occurred in patients without
known CAD. RELPAX may cause coronary artery vasospasm (Prinzmetal's angina), even in patients
without a history of CAD.
Perform a cardiovascular evaluation in triptan-naïve patients who have multiple cardiovascular risk
factors (e.g., increased age, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, obesity, strong family history of CAD)
prior to receiving RELPAX. Do not use RELPAX if there is evidence of CAD or coronary artery
vasospasm [see CONTRAINDICATIONS]. For patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors who have a
negative cardiovascular evaluation, consider administering the first RELPAX dose in a medicallysupervised
setting and performing an electrocardiogram (ECG) immediately following administration of
RELPAX. For such patients, consider periodic cardiovascular evaluation in intermittent long-term users
of RELPAX.
Arrhythmias
Life-threatening disturbances of cardiac rhythm including ventricular tachycardia and ventricular
fibrillation leading to death have been reported within a few hours following the administration of 5-
HT1 agonists. Discontinue RELPAX if these disturbances occur. RELPAX is contraindicated in
patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or arrhythmias associated with other cardiac accessory
conduction pathway disorders [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].
Chest, Throat, Neck And/Or Jaw Pain/Tightness /Pressure
Sensations of tightness, pain, and pressure in the chest, throat, neck, and jaw commonly occur after
treatment with RELPAX and are usually non-cardiac in origin. However, perform a cardiac evaluation if
these patients are at high cardiac risk. RELPAX is contraindicated in patients with CAD or Prinzmetal's
variant angina [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].
Cerebrovascular Events
Cerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and stroke have occurred in patients treated with 5-
HT1 agonists, and some have resulted in fatalities. In a number of cases, it appears possible that the
cerebrovascular events were primary, the 5-HT1 agonist having been administered in the incorrect
belief that the symptoms experienced were a consequence of migraine, when they were not.
Before treating headaches in patients not previously diagnosed as migraineurs, and in migraineurs who
present with symptoms atypical of migraine, other potentially serious neurological conditions need to
be excluded. RELPAX is contraindicated in patients with a history of stroke or TIA [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].
Other Vasospasm Reactions
RELPAX may cause non-coronary vasospastic reactions, such as peripheral vascular ischemia,
gastrointestinal vascular ischemia and infarction (presenting with abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea),
and Raynaud's syndrome. In patients who experience symptoms or signs suggestive of a vasospastic
reaction following the use of any 5-HT1 agonist, rule out a vasospastic reaction before receiving
additional RELPAX doses [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].
Medication Overuse Headache
Overuse of acute migraine drugs (e.g. ergotamine, triptans, opioids, or combination of these drugs for
10 or more days per month) may lead to exacerbation of headache (medication overuse headache).
Medication overuse headache may present as migraine-like daily headaches or as a marked increase in
frequency of migraine attacks. Detoxification of patients, including withdrawal of the overused acute
migraine drugs and treatment of withdrawal symptoms (which often includes a transient worsening of
headache) may be necessary.
Serotonin Syndrome
Serotonin syndrome may occur with RELPAX, particularly during co-administration with selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs),
tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Serotonin syndrome symptoms may include mental status changes (e.g., agitation, hallucinations, coma),
autonomic instability (e.g., tachycardia, labile blood pressure, hyperthermia), neuromuscular aberrations
(e.g., hyperreflexia, incoordination), and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea).
The onset of symptoms usually occurs within minutes to hours of receiving a new or a greater dose of a
serotonergic medication. Discontinue RELPAX if serotonin syndrome is suspected.
Increase In Blood Pressure
Significant elevation in blood pressure, including hypertensive crisis with acute impairment of organ
systems, has been reported on rare occasions in patients treated with 5-HT1 agonists, including patients
without a history of hypertension. Monitor blood pressure in patients treated with RELPAX. RELPAX
is contraindicated in patients with uncontrolled hypertension [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].
Anaphylactic/Anaphylactoid Reactions
There have been reports of anaphylaxis, anaphylactoid, and hypersensitivity reactions including
angioedema in patients receiving RELPAX. Such reactions can be life threatening or fatal. In general,
anaphylactic reactions to drugs are more likely to occur in individuals with a history of sensitivity to
multiple allergens. RELPAX is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity reaction to
RELPAX [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].
Patient Counseling Information
See FDA Approved Patient Labeling (PATIENT INFORMATION)
Myocardial Ischemia And/Or Infarction, Prinzmetal's Angina, Other Vasospastic Reactions, And
Cerebrovascular Events
Inform patients that RELPAX may cause serious cardiovascular adverse reactions such as myocardial
infarction or stroke, which may result in hospitalization and even death. Although serious
cardiovascular reactions can occur without warning symptoms, instruct patients to be alert for the signs
and symptoms of chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, slurring of speech, and instruct them to ask
for medical advice when observing any indicative sign or symptoms. Instruct patients to seek medical
advice if they have symptoms of other vasospastic reactions [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Anaphylactic/Anaphylactoid Reactions
Inform patients that anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions have occurred in patients receiving RELPAX.
Such reactions can be life threatening or fatal. In general, anaphylactic reactions to drugs are more
likely to occur in individuals with a history of sensitivity to multiple allergens [see CONTRAINDICATIONS].
Medication Overuse Headache
Inform patients that use of drugs to treat acute migraines for 10 or more days per month may lead to an
exacerbation of headache, and encourage patients to record headache frequency and drug use (e.g., by
keeping a headache diary) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Serotonin Syndrome
Inform patients about the risk of serotonin syndrome with the use of RELPAX or other triptans,
particularly during combined use with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin and
norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS and DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Pregnancy
Inform patients that RELPAX should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefit justifies
the potential risk to the fetus [see Use In Specific Populations].
Nursing Mothers
Inform patients to notify their healthcare provider if they are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed [see Use In Specific Populations].
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Carcinogenesis
Eletriptan was administered to rats and mice in the diet for 104 weeks. In rats, the incidence of testicular
interstitial cell adenomas was increased at the high dose of 75 mg/kg/day, but not at 15 mg/kg/day, a dose
associated with plasma exposures (AUC) approximately 2 times that in humans at the MRHD of 80
mg/day. In mice, the incidence of hepatocellular adenomas was increased at the high dose of 400
mg/kg/day, but not a dose of 90 mg/kg/day, associated with plasma AUC approximately 7 times that in
humans at the MRHD.
Mutagenesis
Eletriptan was negative in in vitro (bacteria reverse mutation (Ames), mammalian cell gene mutation
(CHO/ HGPRT), chromosomal aberration assay in human lymphocytes) and in vivo (mouse
micronucleus) assays.
Impairment Of Fertility
In a fertility and early embryonic development study, eletriptan (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/day) was orally
administered to male and female rats prior to and throughout mating and continuing in females to
implantation. Plasma exposures (AUC) were 4, 8 and 16 times in males and 7, 14 and 28 times in
females, respectively, that in humans at the MRHD. Dose-related decreases in the number of corpora
lutea, implants, and viable fetuses per dam were observed at all doses. Prolongation of the estrus cycle
was observed at the highest dose tested. Male fertility parameters were not affected.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Category C
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. In
reproductive toxicity studies in pregnant animals, oral administration of eletriptan was associated with
developmental toxicity (decreased fetal and pup weights and an increased incidence of fetal structural
abnormalities) at clinically relevant plasma exposures. RELPAX should be used during pregnancy only
if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus
When pregnant rats were administered eletriptan during the period of organogenesis at doses of 10, 30
or 100 mg/kg/day, fetal weights were decreased and the incidences of vertebral and sternebral
variations were increased at 100 mg/kg/day (approximately 12 times the maximum recommended human
dose [MRHD] of 80 mg/day on a mg/m2 basis). The 30 and 100 mg/kg/day doses were also maternally
toxic, as evidenced by decreased maternal body weight gain during gestation. The no-effect dose for
developmental toxicity in rats was 30 mg/kg/day, which is approximately 4 times the MRHD on a mg/m2
basis.
When doses of 5, 10, or 50 mg/kg/day were given to pregnant rabbits throughout organogenesis, fetal
weights were decreased at 50 mg/kg/day, which is approximately 12 times the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis.
The incidences of fused sternebrae and vena cava deviations were increased at all doses. Maternal
toxicity was not evident at any dose. A no-effect dose for developmental toxicity in rabbits was not
established; the lowest dose tested (5 mg/kg/day) is similar to the MRHD on a mg/m2 basis.
Nursing Mothers
Eletriptan is excreted in human milk. Caution should be exercised when RELPAX is administered to a
nursing woman.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.
The efficacy of RELPAX Tablets (40 mg) in patients 11–17 was not established in a randomized,
placebo-controlled trial of 274 adolescent migraineurs [see Clinical Studies]. Adverse reactions
observed were similar in nature to those reported in clinical trials in adults. Postmarketing experience
with other triptans includes a limited number of reports that describe pediatric patients who have
experienced clinically serious adverse reactions that are similar in nature to those reported rarely in
adults. Long-term safety of eletriptan was studied in 76 adolescent patients who received treatment for
up to one year. A similar profile of adverse reactions to that of adults was observed. The long-term
safety of eletriptan in pediatric patients has not been established.
Geriatric Use
Blood pressure was increased to a greater extent in elderly subjects than in young subjects. The
pharmacokinetic disposition of eletriptan in the elderly is similar to that seen in younger adults [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY]. In clinical trials, there were no apparent differences in efficacy or the
incidence of adverse reactions between patients under 65 years of age and those 65 and above.
Hepatic Impairment
The effect of severe hepatic impairment on RELPAX metabolism has not been evaluated. RELPAX is
not recommended for use in patients with severe hepatic impairment [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].