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Relpax (ELETRIPTAN)
ELETRIPTAN (Relpax), marketed by Upjohn, is a serotonin receptor agonist for the acute treatment of migraine, competing in a crowded market with several same-class drugs. A key strength of Relpax is its patent protection until 2028, providing a longer exclusivity period compared to off-patent competitors like naratriptan and zolmitriptan. The primary risk is the strong presence of generics for other triptans, which may erode market share and pricing power.
At a glance
| Generic name | ELETRIPTAN |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Upjohn |
| Drug class | Serotonin-1b and Serotonin-1d Receptor Agonist |
| Target | 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 1D |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Neuroscience |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
| First approval | 2002 |
Approved indications
- Acute treatment of migraine
Common side effects
- Asthenia
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Somnolence
- Paresthesia
- Dry mouth
- Chest-tightness/pain/pressure
- Abdominal pain/discomfort/stomach pain/cramps/pressure
- Flushing/feeling of warmth
- Headache
- Dyspepsia
- Dysphagia throat tightness/difficulty swallowing
Drug interactions
- Ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medications (e.g., dihydroergotamine [DHE], methysergide)
- Other 5-HT1 agonists
- Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAO inhibitors)
Key clinical trials
- ACT Therapy for HF Migraine (NA)
- Phase 1b/2a Clinical Trial to Determine the Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of TZ-161 in Spinal Cord Injury (PHASE1,PHASE2)
- Treatments of Migraine with Triptans in Individuals with Elevated Cardiovascular Risk and in Pregnant Women
- Eletriptan vs Sumatriptan: A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Multiple Migraine Attack Study (PHASE3)
- Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Oral Eletriptan for Treatment of Acute Migraine (PHASE3)
- Comparative Study of Oral Eletriptan (40mg and 80mg), Oral Sumatriptan (25mg and 50mg) and Placebo (PHASE3)
- Eletriptan Pharmacokinetics In Korean Males (PHASE1)
- Eletriptan for the Treatment of Migraine in Patients With Previous Poor Response or Tolerance to Oral Sumatriptan (PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| FDA label | Mechanism, indications, dosing, boxed warnings, drug interactions |
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Relpax CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Relpax updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Upjohn portfolio CI