[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Triptans (5-HT1B/1D agonists)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/triptans/) › Eletriptan

# Eletriptan

## Triptans (5-HT1B/1D agonists)?

Triptans (5-HT1B/1D agonists)

An oral triptan for migraine attacks, metabolized by CYP3A4: strong CYP3A4 inhibitors such as clarithromycin or ketoconazole are excluded.

Updated Nov 1, 2026

Also called: Eletriptan hydrobromide

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Triptans (5-HT1B/1D agonists)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/triptans/)

**Target**
Serotonin 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors

**Used for**
Acute treatment of migraine

**Key effects**
Weakness · Nausea · Chest

**Monitor**
Cardiovascular evaluation · Blood pressure

**ATC**
N02CC06

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

◎**Serotonin 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors**Eletriptan

ⓘ The figure shows donitriptan, an experimental triptan, in the serotonin-binding pocket of the human 5-HT1B receptor; eletriptan binds 5-HT1B, 5-HT1D and 5-HT1F receptors with high affinity.

**Target in 3D:** Serotonin 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors. PDB structure 6G79 (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/6G79) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

Eletriptan binds 5-HT1B, 5-HT1D and 5-HT1F receptors with high affinity. Like other triptans, it constricts intracranial vessels and reduces neuropeptide release from trigeminal endings, stopping the attack.

- Eletriptan activates 5-HT1B/1D (and 5-HT1F) receptors
- Vessels constrict and trigeminal endings release less neuropeptide
- The migraine attack eases

## Indications

- Acute treatment of migraine with or without aura in adults [Migraine →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/migraine/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Weakness, drowsiness and dizziness (dose-related)
- Nausea
- Chest, throat, neck or jaw tightness

### Serious (rare, important)

- Myocardial ischaemia, infarction and coronary vasospasm, sometimes in people without known heart disease
- Life-threatening arrhythmias (ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation)
- Stroke and brain haemorrhage; bowel or peripheral ischaemia
- Serotonin syndrome, especially with SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics or MAO inhibitors
- Medication overuse headache with frequent use

## Contraindications

- Ischaemic coronary artery disease or coronary vasospasm (including Prinzmetal angina)
- History of stroke or TIA; hemiplegic or basilar migraine
- Peripheral vascular disease and ischaemic bowel disease
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Another triptan or an ergot alkaloid in the previous 24 hours
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or other accessory pathway arrhythmias
- Potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir, nelfinavir, nefazodone) within at least 72 hours

## Key interactions

**Ketoconazole, itraconazole, clarithromycin, ritonavir, nelfinavir**
Much higher eletriptan exposure; contraindicated

**Ergot alkaloids or other triptans within 24 hours**
Additive vasospasm; contraindicated

**SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics, MAO inhibitors**
Serotonin syndrome

## What is monitored

- Cardiovascular evaluation in triptan-naive patients with several risk factors
- Blood pressure
- Review of new antibiotics, antifungals and HIV medicines (CYP3A4)

## Administration and safety

- Used only when the migraine diagnosis is clear
- For attacks only; not a preventive

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Human data are not sufficient to define the risk; animal studies showed developmental toxicity.

## Nursing care

- Before the first dose, ask about chest pain, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors
- Check the medication list for ergots, other triptans, MAO inhibitors and serotonergic antidepressants
- Explain that chest or throat tightness is common, but crushing chest pain needs urgent care
- Encourage a headache diary to spot medication overuse
- Teach signs of serotonin syndrome: agitation, fever, sweating, tremor, muscle jerks

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Well absorbed; bioavailability about 50%; peak about 1.5 to 2 hours

**Metabolism**
Mainly CYP3A4; one active N-demethylated metabolite

**Half-life**
About 4 hours

## Memory aid

«ELEtriptan, ELEvated by 3A4 blockers»: avoid clarithromycin, azoles and ritonavir.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which enzyme metabolizes eletriptan?

CYP3A4.

## Which antibiotic is contraindicated with eletriptan?

Clarithromycin (a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor).

## Does eletriptan prevent migraine?

No; it treats acute attacks only.

[Add to my cards (3)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/eletriptan/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## Connections

## Related drugs 4

- [Sumatriptan](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/sumatriptan/)
- [Rizatriptan](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/rizatriptan/)
- [Clarithromycin](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/clarithromycin/)
- [Ketoconazole](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/ketoconazole/)

## Related conditions 1

- [Migraine](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/migraine/)

[← Back to the class: Triptans (5-HT1B/1D agonists)](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/triptans/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [DailyMed - ELETRIPTAN HYDROBROMIDE tablet, film coated](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=49686c51-bbd9-45f0-92b1-8ffa81612e35) (DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [Eletriptan: MedlinePlus Drug Information](https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603029.html) (MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=N02CC) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/eletriptan/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/eletriptan/