Relpax (eletripan) common, serious and rare side effects

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Relpax (eletriptan hydrobromide). However, not everyone who takes the drug will have problems. In fact, most people tolerate it well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are treated easily by you or your healthcare provider.

Common Relpax Side Effects

Relpax has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, in which the side effects of a group of people taking the drug are documented and compared to another group not taking the medicine. As a result, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.

Based on these studies, the most common Relpax side effects include:

• Weakness - occurring in up to 10 percent of people
• Nausea - up to 8 percent
• Dizziness - up to 7 percent
• Drowsiness - up to 7 percent
• Abnormal sensations, such as tingling, burning, or pricking (paresthesia) - up to 4 percent
• Chest pain, chest tightness, or chest pressure - up to 4 percent
• Dry mouth - up to 4 percent
• Headache - up to 4 percent
• Abdominal pain (stomach pain) - up to 2 percent
• Upset stomach or heartburn - up to 2 percent
• Difficulty swallowing or throat tightness - up to 2 percent.

The following were also reported as common side effects (occurring in more than 1 percent of people):

• Back pain
• Chills
• Feelings of a rapidly or forcefully beating heart (palpitations)
• A sense of spinning (vertigo)
• Increased sensitivity of the senses (such as sensitivity to light or sound)
• Sore throat
• Sweating.

Serious Relpax Side Effects

Some side effects with Relpax, while occurring infrequently, are potentially serious and should be reported to your healthcare provider. These include but are not limited to:

• Severe chest pain or tightness
• Shortness of breath
• Sudden, severe abdominal pain (stomach pain)
• Bloody diarrhea
• Changes in vision, including loss of vision
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
• Signs of an allergic reaction, including: Unexplained skin rashes, Itching, Hives, Wheezing or shortness of breath, Unexplained swelling.

Taking Relpax with certain antidepressants can increase your risk of a group of dangerous symptoms called serotonin syndrome. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you have the following symptoms:

• Confusion
• Seeing or hearing things that are not really there (hallucinations)
• A fast heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Fainting
• Fever
• Sweating
• Muscle spasms
• Difficulty walking
• Diarrhea.

Rare Relpax Side Effects

Rare Relpax side effects occurred in 1 percent or less of patients taking the drug. Because these reactions are so uncommon, it is often difficult to tell if they are the result of the medication or other factors.

Some of these rare side effects of Relpax include but are not limited to:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Agitation or anxiety
• Vision changes
• Impotence (also known as erectile dysfunction or ED).

You may experience some or none of the side effects listed in this article. Unfortunately, there is no way for your healthcare provider to know beforehand if you will have problems with a medicine that you have never tried. Therefore, be sure to let your healthcare provider know if you develop any side effects while taking the medication. Also, let your healthcare provider know if you develop something that "just does not seem right." While it may not be a Relpax side effect, your healthcare provider should be able to diagnose and treat the problem.