Eletriptan: serotonin 5-HT 1B/1D receptor agonist for the acute treatment of migraine.

Eletriptan is a new serotonin 5-HT[1B/10] receptor agonist deemed approvable by the FDA for the acute treatment of migraine. This oral agent offers increased bioavailability, lipophilicity, and CNS penetration over other triptan analogues. These unique pharmacokinetic characteristics may be responsible for the rapid onset of effect with this agent. Clinical trials comparing eletriptan with placebo have consistently demonstrated efficacy in headache response rates at both 1 and 2 hours. Additionally, comparative clinical trials have shown eletriptan to have a more rapid onset of effect and a higher rate of therapeutic response compared with sumatriptan. Though increased adverse effects are associated with higher doses of eletriptan, it maintains a higher patient preference over sumatriptan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]