Rizatriptan



Maxalt®; Maxalt-MLT®







Rizatriptan

(rye za TRIP tan)

U.S. Brand Names
Maxalt®; Maxalt-MLT®
Canadian Brand Names
Maxalt™; Maxalt RPD™
Mexican Brand Names
Maxalt®
Pharmacologic Category
Serotonin 5-HT
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to rizatriptan or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you have any of the following conditions: Certain types of migraines, chest pain or pressure, heart disease, or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
  • If you have taken isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine in the last 14 days. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine) must be stopped 14 days before this medicine is started. Taking the two together could cause dangerously high blood pressure.
  • If you have taken almotriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, sumatriptan, or zolmitriptan in the last 24 hours.
  • If you have taken ergotamine, methysergide, or dihydroergotamine in the last 24 hours.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat headaches.
How does it work?
  • Rizatriptan squeezes certain blood vessels in the brain preventing irritation and inflammation.
How is it best taken?
  • Swallow Maxalt® tablet whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
  • Take this medicine with liquids as early as possible after the attack has started.
  • Oral-disintegrating tablet: Place on tongue and let dissolve. Water is not needed. Do not swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
  • If your headache returns after the first dose, another dose may be taken 2 hours after the first one.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • This medicine is taken on an as needed basis.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • This medicine is not used to prevent future attacks.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • If you have PKU, talk with healthcare provider. Some products do contain phenylalanine.
  • You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Use caution if you have risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, overweight, diabetes, cigarette smoking, male older than 40 years of age, other family members with early heart disease, postmenopausal female). Talk with healthcare provider.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.
  • Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Flushing.
  • Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Feeling tired or weak.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Keep a diary of your headaches.
  • Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Chest pain or pressure or fast heartbeat.
  • Severe dizziness or passing out.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Seizure.
  • Severe belly pain or bloody diarrhea.
  • Severe headache.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect from heat.
  • Protect from light.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
  • Use Maxalt-MLT™ tablets right after opening.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Brand Names: