What is this medication for?
Rizatriptan is used to treat migraine headaches. The pain of migraine headaches
is thought to be caused by dilated blood vessels inside the head. Rizatriptan
belongs to a class of medications known as 5-hydroxytryptamine agonists that
relieve migraine headaches by constricting these blood vessels. The tablets
are not effective for other types of headache. Relief from the pain associated
with migraine occurs quickly, with maximum pain relief occurring about two hours
after taking the medication.
Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those
listed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all
of the conditions discussed here. If you have not discussed this with your doctor
or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do
not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms
as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their
doctor has not prescribed it. Do not stop taking this medication without
consulting your doctor.
What form(s) does this medication come in?
Maxalt is available as:
Maxalt-Mlt® is available as:
- wafers (orally disintegrating)
Some medications may have other generic brands available. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safety of switching between brands of the same medication.
How should I use this medication?
The usual initial adult dose of rizatriptan is 5 mg to 10 mg daily. The dose
should be taken at the first sign of migraine headache pain but it is also effective
if taken at a later stage.
If the migraine headache comes back after being relieved, another dose (5 mg
to 10 mg) may be taken no sooner than two hours after the first dose was
taken. No more than 30 mg of rizatriptan should be taken in any 24-hour
period.
If your headache pain is different from your usual migraines, do not take rizatriptan;
call your doctor. Rizatriptan is not to be used for headache prevention.
For the wafer form of rizatriptan (Maxalt-MLT®), it is not necessary
to take the wafer with water.
The wafer is packaged in a blister with an outer aluminum pouch.
Do not remove the wafer from the package until you are ready to use it. When
you are ready, peel open the blister pack with dry hands and place the wafer
on your tongue.
Allow the wafer to dissolve on your tongue and swallow.
Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as
body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor
has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change
the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture,
and keep it out of the reach of children.
Who should NOT take this medication?
Rizatriptan should not be taken by people who:
- are allergic to rizatriptan or any of its components
- are taking medications that belong to a group called MAO-I antidepressants
or have taken them within the last 2 weeks
- have angina (chest pain), including Prinzmetal angina (coronary vasospasm)
- have certain types of migraine headaches (including hemiplegic or basilar
migraine)
- have heart disease or a history of heart disease (e.g., a history of heart
attack or silent ischemia [damage to the heart without symptoms])
- have high blood pressure that is severe or not under control
- have taken another 5-hydroxytryptamine agonist (e.g., naratriptan, rizatriptan,
sumatriptan, zolmitriptan) in the previous 24 hours
- have taken ergotamine-containing or ergot-type medications (such as dihydroergotamine,
ergotamine, or methysergide) in the previous 24 hours