If you have migraine headaches, your doctor might suggest Relpax (eletriptan) as a treatment option for you.

Relpax is a prescription drug that’s used to treat migraine with or without aura in adults. It comes as a tablet that you take by mouth.

Relpax belongs to a group of drugs called triptans.

This article describes the dosages of Relpax, as well as its strengths and how to take the drug. To learn more about Relpax, see this in-depth article.

Note: This article covers Relpax’s typical dosages, which are provided by the drug’s manufacturer. But when taking Relpax, always follow the dosage instructions that your doctor gives you.

Below you’ll find information on the usual dosages of Relpax, including its form and strengths.

What is the form of Relpax?

Relpax comes as tablets that you’ll swallow.

What strengths does Relpax come in?

Relpax tablets come in two strengths:

  • 20 milligrams (mg)
  • 40 mg

What are the typical dosages of Relpax?

The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. But be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.

To treat a migraine headache, you’ll likely take a dose of 20 mg or 40 mg of Relpax. You’ll take your dose when you first notice you’re getting a migraine headache.

If your first dose doesn’t work to ease your headache, you can take another dose after 2 hours. It’s recommended that you don’t take more than 40 mg of Relpax at one time. The maximum dosage of Relpax is 80 mg in one day.

You should take Relpax to treat migraine headaches only when they happen. The drug is not meant to be taken daily.

Your doctor will discuss the frequency of your migraine episodes and how often you can take Relpax safely. If you have more than three migraine headaches in a month and are taking the maximum 80-mg daily dose, talk with your doctor. They can discuss all of your treatment options with you.

Is Relpax taken long term?

Relpax isn’t meant to be taken as a long-term treatment for migraine. Beyond taking the drug for three headaches a month, its safety hasn’t been established.

If you and your doctor find that Relpax is safe and effective for you, you may take it up to three times each month. You should avoid taking Relpax more often than this, as doing so can cause medication overuse headaches. Taking Relpax 10 or more days each month can increase the frequency and severity of headaches.

Other factors that affect your dosage of Relpax include:

  • the severity of the migraine headaches you’re taking Relpax to treat
  • your age
  • other medications you may be taking
  • other health conditions you may have

Relpax comes as tablets that you swallow. As soon as you start having a migraine headache, take a dose of Relpax. The sooner you take your Relpax dose, the better the drug can work to relieve your symptoms.

You may take Relpax with or without food.

For information on the expiration, storage, and disposal of Relpax, see this article.

Accessible drug containers and labels

If you find it hard to read the prescription label on your medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies may provide medication labels that:

  • have large print or use braille
  • feature a code that you can scan with a smartphone to change the text to audio

Your doctor or pharmacist may be able to recommend pharmacies that offer these accessibility features if your current pharmacy doesn’t.

Don’t take more Relpax than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than this can lead to serious side effects and medication overuse headaches.

What to do in case you take too much Relpax

Call your doctor right away if you think you’ve taken too much Relpax. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach the American Association of Poison Control Centers, or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately or go to the nearest emergency room.

The sections above describe the typical dosages provided by the drug manufacturer. If your doctor recommends Relpax for you, they will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.

Remember, you shouldn’t change your dosage of Relpax without your doctor’s recommendation. Only take Relpax exactly as prescribed. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your current dosage.

Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:

  • How long will it take for my Relpax dosage to start working?
  • Will I have more side effects if I take a higher dose of Relpax?
  • Does my dosage of Relpax need adjustment if I’m taking other migraine medications?

For helpful information about treating migraine episodes and stories from others who share your condition, consider subscribing to Healthline’s online newsletter.

Q:

If taking 20 milligrams (mg) of Relpax doesn’t get rid of my migraine headache, should I increase my dosage for my next migraine attack?

Anonymous

A:

If 20 mg of Relpax doesn’t relieve your migraine symptoms, talk with your doctor. It’s best not to change your dosage unless they tell you it’s safe to do so.

Keep in mind that Relpax provides the most relief if it’s taken when you first feel a migraine headache starting. You may find that your symptoms temporarily ease after taking a dose, but then return. If this happens, you can take a second dose of Relpax at least 2 hours after the first.

If you don’t have any relief from your migraine symptoms after taking 20 mg of Relpax, talk with your doctor. In this case, they may recommend that you increase your dosage. But don’t change your own Relpax dosage without first talking with them.

Amber Watson, PharmDAnswers represent the opinions of our medical experts. All content is strictly informational and should not be considered medical advice.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.