Description
Eletriptan, the seventh member of the triptan class of antimigraine drugs was launched in Switzerland for the acute treatment of migraine. The 5-step synthesis of this
conformationally restricted analog of sumatriptan involves the deprotonation of 5-
bromoindole with Grignard reagent at the position C3 followed by a condensation with NCbz-
D-proline acid chloride to afford the key Cbz-D-prolyl intermediate. After reduction
with LiAIH4, the sulfone moiety was introduced in postion 5 by a palladium cross-coupling
Heck reaction using the phenylvinyl sulfone. Eletriptan is a 5-HT receptor agonist that
binds to 5-HT1B, 5HT1D and 5HT1F receptors with high potency. Activation of these
receptors causes constriction of extracerebral intracranial vessels, abolition of the dural
extravasation and neurogenic inflammation, and inhibition of trigeminal neuronal
discharge. Eletriptan was found to be the most potent agonist at the 5-HT1D receptor
compared to the other triptans with pEC50 value of 9.2. In thousands of participants in
clinical trials, eletriptan has acted more effectively and more rapidly than sumatriptan to
relieve pain from mild to severe attacks of migraine. Eletriptan also reduced time lost for
ordinary activity to patients with migraine attacks when compared to placebo and when
compared to sumatriptan. Eletriptan was also superior to sumatriptan in terms of relieving
functional disability, nausea, photophobia and phonophobia. Unlike other compounds of its
class, eletriptan has a positive logD value, that could underlie its rapid and complete oral
absorption and may be suggestive of a good brain penetration. The oral biovailability of
Eletriptan is approximately 50% (14% for Sumatriptan) with a half life of 5.7h (2h for
Sumatriptan). Eletriptan was well tolerated with mild to moderate adverse events including
asthenia, somnolence, dizziness and nausea. Eletriptan is a new potent and fast-acting
triptan for the treatment of migraine attacks.
Chemical Properties
Yellow Foam
Uses
A serotonin 5-HTIB/ID receptor agonist. Antimigrene
Uses
Eletriptan is a selective serotonin 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptor agonist and used to treat migraines (1,2,3).
Definition
ChEBI: Eletriptan is an N-alkylpyrrolidine, being N-methylpyrrolidine in which the pro-R hydrogen at position 2 is substituted by a {5-[2-(phenylsulfonyl)ethyl]-1H-indol-3-yl}m
thyl group.
Manufacturing Process
A mixture of the appropriate phenyl vinyl sulfone, tri-o-tolylphosphine,
palladium (II) acetate, triethlamine and (R)-5-bromo-3-(Nmethylpyrrolidinylmethyl)-1H-indole in anhydrous acetonitrle was heated at
reflux under nitrogen. The resultant reaction mixture was evaporated under
reduced pressure, and the residue was column chromatographed using silica
gel and elution with methylene chloride/absolute ethanol/ammonia to afford
the (R )-5-trans-(2-phenylsulfonylethenyl)-3-(N-methylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethyl)-
1H-indole.
A solution of (R)-5-trans-(2-phenylsulfonylethenyl)-3-(N-methylpyrrolidin-2-
ylmethyl)-1H-indole and 10% Pd/C in ethanolic hydrogen chloride (prepared
from absolute ethanol and acetyl chloride and N,N-dimethylformamide was
shaken under a hydrogen atmosphere at room temperature). The resultant
reaction mixture was filtered through diatomaceous earth (Celite trademark),
washed with absolute ethanol, and the combined filtrates were evaporated
under reduced pressure. The residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate
and water. The organic phase was separated, washed with water, brine, dried(Na2SO4), and evaporated under reduced pressure to afford a oil product.
Column chromatography of this product using silica gel and elution with
methylene chloride/absolute ethanol/ammonia afforded the appropriate (R)-5-
(2-phenylsulfonylethyl)-3-(N-methylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethyl)-1H-indole.
The salt eletriptan hydrobromide may be produced by reaction of the (R)-5-
(2-phenylsulfonylethyl)-3-(N-methylpyrrolidin-2-ylmethyl)-1H-indole with
hydrobromic acid.
Therapeutic Function
Serotonin agonist
General Description
Eletriptan, introduced into the market in 2002, is the newesttriptan with highest affinity for 5-HT1B, 5-HT1D, and 5-HT1Freceptors. It is one of the most lipophilic triptans marketedto date and is well tolerated and safe across its dosing rangeof 20 to 80 mg. However, it is metabolized primarily(>90%) by CYP3A4 isozyme to its active metabolite, theN-desmethyleletriptan, which accounts for approximately10% to 20% of the plasma concentration of that observedfor parent drug. Thus, coadministration of eletriptan withpotent CYP3A4 inhibitors such as ketoconazole, itraconazole,nefazodone, troleandomycin, clarithromycin, ritonavir,and nelfinavir may require dose reduction and closer monitoringfor CNS side effects. Furthermore, becauseeletriptan and its active metabolite, N-desmethyleletriptan,are also substrates for the P-glycoprotein efflux pumps thatare responsible for their removal from the brain, coadministrationof eletriptan with a known P-glycoprotein inhibitorand/or inducer such as digoxin, diltiazem, verapamil, or St.John’s Worth would result in higher brain levels of its activemetabolite, and thus a higher rate of the CNS side effectsreported for this drug.
Clinical Use
5HT1
receptor agonist:
Acute relief of migraine
Drug interactions
Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs
Antibacterials: concentration increased by
clarithromycin and erythromycin - avoid.
Antidepressants: increased risk of CNS toxicity with
citalopram - avoid; possibly increased serotonergic
effects with duloxetine and venlafaxine; increased
serotonergic effects with St John’s wort - avoid
Antifungals: concentration increased by itraconazole
and ketoconazole - avoid.
Antivirals: concentration increased by indinavir and
ritonavir - avoid.
Dapoxetine: possible increased risk of serotonergic
effects - avoid for 2 weeks after stopping 5HT1
agonists
Ergot alkaloids: increased risk of vasospasm - avoid.
Metabolism
In vitro studies indicate that eletriptan is primarily
metabolised by hepatic cytochrome P-450 enzyme
CYP3A4. This finding is substantiated by increased
plasma concentrations of eletriptan following
known selective and potent CYP3A4 inhibitors. In vitro
studies also indicate a small involvement of CYP2D6
although clinical studies do not indicate any evidence of
polymorphism with this enzyme.
There are two major circulating metabolites identified
that significantly contribute to plasma radioactivity
following administration of 14C-labelled eletriptan. The
metabolite formed by N-oxidation, has demonstrated no
activity in animal in vitro models. The metabolite formed
by N-demethylation, has been demonstrated to have
similar activity to eletriptan in animal in vitro models.
A third area of radioactivity in plasma has not been
formally identified, but is most likely to be a mixture of
hydroxylated metabolites which have also been observed
excreted in urine and faeces.
The plasma concentrations of the N-demethylated
active metabolite are only 10-20% of those of parent,
so would not be expected to significantly contribute to
the therapeutic action of eletriptan. Non-renal clearance
accounts for approximately 90% of the total clearance
indicating that eletriptan is eliminated primarily by
metabolism.