Drug interactions
Eletriptan + Saquinavir
Severity: Contraindicated
Eletriptan and Saquinavir: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Saquinavir, a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor usually given with ritonavir, markedly raises eletriptan exposure. Higher eletriptan levels increase the risk of vasoconstrictive adverse effects such as coronary or peripheral vasospasm and hypertension.
What this interaction means in plain words
Eletriptan and Saquinavir are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Why it happens
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated intestinal and hepatic metabolism of eletriptan reduces its clearance.
What to do
Do not give eletriptan during or within at least 72 hours after a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor such as saquinavir. Choose a triptan not dependent on CYP3A4, such as rizatriptan, if acute migraine treatment is needed.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Eletriptan
- Almotriptan + Eletriptan Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Eletriptan Contraindicated
- Ceritinib + Eletriptan Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Eletriptan Contraindicated
- Cobicistat + Eletriptan Contraindicated
- Conivaptan + Eletriptan Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Eletriptan with Saquinavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Eletriptan and Saquinavir are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Saquinavir, a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor usually given with ritonavir, markedly raises eletriptan exposure. Higher eletriptan levels increase the risk of vasoconstrictive adverse effects such as coronary or peripheral vasospasm and hypertension.
How serious is the interaction between Eletriptan and Saquinavir?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not give eletriptan during or within at least 72 hours after a potent CYP3A4 inhibitor such as saquinavir. Choose a triptan not dependent on CYP3A4, such as rizatriptan, if acute migraine treatment is needed.
What other medicines interact with Eletriptan?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Eletriptan with, for example, Almotriptan, Atazanavir, Ceritinib. The full list is on the Eletriptan page.
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