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What is Relpax
 Relpax
is a migraine headache medicine. It is in a class of drugs
called serotonin receptor agonists. They are believed to work
by causing vasoconstriction (narrowing) of arteries and veins
that supply blood to the head.
Relpax
is used to treat migraine headaches. Relpax will not prevent
migraines from occurring or decrease the number of attacks.
It will only treat a migraine headache that is already occurring.
Relpax
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Relpax
Do not take Relpax if the headache you are experiencing
is not like other migraines that you have had.
Do
not take this medication without first talking to your doctor
if you have heart disease including angina (chest pain),
history of heart attack, or unsymptomatic heart disease;
stroke, or TIA's (transient ischemic attacks); uncontrolled
high blood pressure; or circulation problems including ischemic
bowel disease or Raynaud's syndrome.
Never take more
of this medication than is prescribed by your doctor. More
medication will not further treat symptoms. If your symptoms
are not being relieved, contact your doctor.
Use
caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Relpax may cause dizziness or
drowsiness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid
these activities.
What you should find out before taking
Relpax
Do not take a Relpax if you:
- have taken
an ergot-based medication within the last 24 hours--ergot-based
medicines include methysergide (Sansert), ergotamine (Ergostat,
Ergomar, others), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal
Nasal Spray), and ergotamine combination products (Bellergal-S,
Cafergot, Wigraine, Cafatine-PB, and others);
- have
taken another serotonin receptor agonist within the last
24 hours - these include almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan
(Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT),
sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig, Zomig-ZMT);
- have taken ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole
(Sporanox), nefazodone (Serzone), troleandomycin (TAO),
clarithromycin (Biaxin), ritonavir (Norvir), or nelfinavir
(Viracept) in the last 72 hours;
- have basilar or
hemiplegic migraine headaches (if you are not sure about
this, ask your doctor);
- heart disease including
angina (chest pain), history of heart attack, or unsymptomatic
heart disease;
- have a history of stroke or transient
ischemic attacks (TIA's);
- have uncontrolled high
blood pressure (hypertension);
- have circulation
(blood flow) problems including ischemic bowel disease or
Raynaud's syndrome;
- are experiencing a headache
that is not like other migraines that you have had.
Taking Relpax may be dangerous if you have any of the conditions,
or have taken any of the medications, listed above.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
-
have a history of chest pain, shortness of breath, or palpitations
(irregular heartbeats);
- have diabetes;
-
have high blood pressure;
- have a family history
of heart disease;
- have high cholesterol (a type
of fat in the blood);
- are overweight;
-
have diabetes;
- smoke cigarettes;
- are postmenopausal;
or
- are a male over 40 years of age.
You
may not be able to take Relpax, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you
have any of the conditions listed above.
Relpax is
in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not
known whether Relpax will be harmful to an unborn baby.
Do not take the medication without first talking to your
doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during
treatment.
It is not known whether Relpax passes
into breast milk. Do not take Relpax without first talking
to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should take Relpax Take Relpax exactly as directed by your doctor. If
you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water or another fluid.
Take a dose as soon as you notice symptoms of a migraine,
or at any time during an attack.
If your symptoms
do not improve after taking one dose of the medication,
contact your doctor before taking another dose.
If
your symptoms do improve but then return, you can take a
second dose 2 hours or more after the first dose unless
your doctor directs otherwise. No more than 80 mg of the
medication should be taken in one day.
Never take
more of this medication than is prescribed by your doctor.
More medication will not further treat symptoms. If your
symptoms are not being relieved, contact your doctor.
Store Relpax at room temperature away from moisture, heat,
light, and the reach of children.
If you miss a dose: Since Relpax is taken to treat migraines headaches
as they occur and not to prevent them, missing a dose does
not usually occur. Take only the doses you need, according
to your doctor's instructions.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is
suspected.
Symptoms of an overdose are not known
but might include tremor, tingling, heaviness, redness,
or a warm feeling in the arms and/or legs; irregular breathing;
large pupils; feeling uncoordinated; tiredness; nausea;
dizziness; seizures; bluish skin; and chest pain.
Avoid while taking Relpax Do not take Relpax if the headache you are experiencing
is not like other migraines that you have had.
Use
caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing
other hazardous activities. Relpax may cause dizziness or
drowsiness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid
these activities.
Possible side effects of Relpax If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking Relpax and seek emergency medical attention
or contact your doctor immediately:
- an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling
of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- an irregular
heartbeat or tightness, pain, pressure or heaviness in your
chest, throat, neck, or jaw; or
- a rash or itching.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely
to occur. Continue to take the Relpax and talk to your doctor
if you experience
- dizziness;
- fatigue (tiredness);
- headache (other than a migraine headache);
-
dry mouth;
- upset stomach or nausea;
- weakness;
- flushing (hot flashes); or
- paresthesia
(a feeling of tingling).
Side effects other than
those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about
any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially
bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Relpax Do not take Relpax if you:
- have taken an
ergot-based medication within the last 24 hours--ergot-based
medicines include methysergide (Sansert), ergotamine (Ergostat,
Ergomar, others), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal
Nasal Spray), and ergotamine combination products (Bellergal-S,
Cafergot, Ercaf, Wigraine, Cafatine, Cafatine-PB, Cafetrate);
- have taken another serotonin receptor agonist within
the last 24 hours - these include almotriptan (Axert), frovatriptan
(Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt, Maxalt-MLT),
sumatriptan (Imitrex), and zolmitriptan (Zomig, Zomig-ZMT);
- have taken ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole
(Sporanox), nefazodone (Serzone), troleandomycin (TAO),
clarithromycin (Biaxin), ritonavir (Norvir), or nelfinavir
(Viracept) within the last 72 hours.
Taking a serotonin
receptor agonist with any of the medicines listed above
may be dangerous.
Before taking Relpax, tell your
doctor if you are taking
- propranolol (Inderal,
others); or
- a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor
(SSRI) such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac),
fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft).
You may not be able to take Relpax, or you may require
a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment
if you are taking any of the medicines above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Relpax.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products. |
