Brand Names for Triptans Used in Migraine Treatment
Relpax is the brand name for eletriptan, which is an effective triptan medication used to treat acute migraine attacks in adults. 1
Common Triptan Brand Names
The most widely used triptan brand names include:
- Imitrex - brand name for sumatriptan, available in multiple formulations (oral tablets 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg; subcutaneous injection 4 mg, 6 mg; intranasal spray 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg; rectal suppositories) 2
- Relpax - brand name for eletriptan, available as oral tablets 1
- Maxalt/Maxalt MLT - brand name for rizatriptan, available in 5-20 mg doses, with MLT being an orally disintegrating tablet 3, 4
- Zomig - brand name for zolmitriptan, available in 2.5-5.0 mg doses 3
- Amerge - brand name for naratriptan, available in 1.0-2.5 mg doses 3
Clinical Context for Triptan Selection
Triptans are recommended as second-line therapy for moderate to severe migraine attacks when NSAIDs (first-line therapy) provide inadequate relief. 3, 5
When to Use Triptans
- Initiate triptan therapy when over-the-counter analgesics (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac) fail to provide adequate headache relief 3
- Most effective when taken early in an attack while headache is still mild 3
- All triptans have well-documented effectiveness, though availability varies between countries 3
Route Selection Based on Symptoms
- Oral triptans - appropriate for most patients with moderate to severe migraine 3, 4
- Subcutaneous sumatriptan (Imitrex) 6 mg - provides the highest efficacy (59% pain-free at 2 hours) and fastest onset (within 15 minutes), particularly useful for patients who rapidly reach peak headache intensity or cannot take oral medications due to vomiting 3, 6
- Intranasal formulations - suitable when significant nausea or vomiting is present 3, 5
Critical Frequency Limitation
Limit all triptan use to no more than 2 days per week to prevent medication-overuse headache, which can paradoxically increase headache frequency and lead to daily headaches. 3, 5
If One Triptan Fails
If one triptan is ineffective, try a different triptan, as failure of one does not predict failure of others. 3 After adequate trials of all available triptans (no or insufficient response in at least three consecutive attacks), consider third-line agents like ditans (lasmiditan) or gepants (ubrogepant, rimegepant) 3
Contraindications Requiring Alternative Approach
Triptans are contraindicated in patients with:
- Coronary artery disease or coronary artery vasospasm 2
- History of stroke, transient ischemic attack, hemiplegic or basilar migraine 2
- Uncontrolled hypertension 2
- Peripheral vascular disease or ischemic bowel disease 2
- Recent use (within 24 hours) of another triptan or ergotamine-containing medication 2
- Concurrent or recent (past 2 weeks) use of MAO-A inhibitors 2