Maxalt (Rizatriptan)

Maxalt (rizatriptan benzoate) is a prescription medication used to treat a migraine headache after it has started. It helps reduce migraine symptoms such as throbbing head pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light or sound. Rizatriptan is a triptan that is believed to work by binding to serotonin receptors in the brain. Maxalt comes as a tablet that is approved for adults and children ages 6 to 17 who have migraines with or without aura.

Directions

Take Maxalt at the first sign of a migraine (it is not used to prevent migraines).

Adults usually take 5 mg or 10 mg by mouth, and a second dose may be taken at least 2 hours later if the migraine returns. Do not take more than 30 mg in 24 hours.

If you take propranolol, ask your healthcare provider about the right Maxalt dose.

For children ages 6 to 17, the dose depends on weight:

• 5 mg if under 40 kg (88 lb)
• 10 mg if 40 kg (88 lb) or more

Children should not take more than one dose in 24 hours.

Ingredients

The active ingredient in Maxalt is rizatriptan benzoate. The inactive ingredients in Maxalt regular tablets may include lactose monohydrate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, ferric oxide (red), and magnesium stearate.

Cautions

Before using this medication, you may want to consult a healthcare provider about the following:

• Any existing health conditions
• Any allergies
• A list of all medications currently being taken

Tell your healthcare provider about any risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking, a strong family history of heart disease, or being a postmenopausal woman or a man over 40.

Stop using Maxalt and seek medical care for any chest pain, jaw or throat tightness, severe shortness of breath, or sudden weakness on one side of the body. While most chest or throat sensations after taking a triptan are not from heart problems, these symptoms still need to be checked.

Using migraine treatment too often, including triptans like Maxalt, can lead to medication overuse headache, which is a rebound headache caused by excessive use of headache medicines. If you find yourself needing Maxalt or other migraine medicines on 10 or more days per month, talk to a provider about long-term options.

Combining Maxalt with antidepressants such as SSRIs or SNRIs may lead to serotonin syndrome. Symptoms can include restlessness, hallucinations, fast heart rate, fever, sweating, shivering, muscle stiffness or twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Use Maxalt with caution if you have liver or kidney problems. Dose adjustments or close monitoring may be needed.

If you take propranolol, the recommended Maxalt dose may be 5 mg, with a maximum of 15 mg in a 24-hour period. Tell your provider about any beta-blockers, MAO inhibitors, or other migraine treatments you’re using.

Contraindications

Avoid taking or using this medication if any of the following apply:

• A history of ischemic heart disease (such as angina or a previous heart attack) or coronary artery vasospasm, including Prinzmetal’s angina.
• A history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
• Peripheral vascular disease.
• Ischemic bowel disease.
• Uncontrolled high blood pressure.
• Use of another triptan, ergotamine-type medication, or ergotamine-containing product within the past 24 hours.
• Hemiplegic or basilar migraine.
• Use of a monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) inhibitor within the past 2 weeks.
• A known allergy or hypersensitivity to rizatriptan or any of the inactive ingredients in Maxalt.

Side Effects

Common side effects of Maxalt include:

• Fatigue or weakness
• Drowsiness (somnolence)
• Dizziness
• Feelings of pain, pressure, or heaviness in any part of the body, including the chest, throat, neck, or jaw
• Nausea
• Dry mouth
• Flushing or feeling warm

Get medical help for any signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, trouble breathing, or a severe rash.

Other serious side effects can include chest pain or pressure that could signal a heart attack, irregular heartbeat, sudden severe stomach pain or bloody diarrhea (which may be a sign of reduced blood flow to the bowel), sudden weakness, slurred speech, or vision changes (possible signs of stroke), and serotonin syndrome when Maxalt is taken with other serotonergic medications.

References

• Maxalt Highlights of Prescribing Information. Jersey City, NJ: Organon LLC; 2021.
• Maxalt Drug Label Information. Jersey City, NJ: Organon LLC; 2021.