Rizatriptan

1 medicine

Rizatriptan is a triptan that narrows blood vessels to stop a migraine attack. Because it constricts arteries, it must be avoided in people with coronary artery disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or a history of stroke.

Maxalt

Rizatriptan

5/10mg

Maxalt is a neurology medication containing Rizatriptan, available as 5/10mg tablets.

from $4.19 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Rizatriptan (Maxalt) is a triptan that narrows blood vessels around the brain and blocks pain-signal chemicals to stop a migraine attack already underway.
  • Take it as soon as a migraine starts; a second dose can be taken after 2 hours if needed, up to a labeled daily maximum.
  • Because it constricts blood vessels, rizatriptan must be avoided in people with coronary artery disease, a history of heart attack or stroke, or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
  • Seek urgent care for chest pain or pressure, or sudden severe weakness on one side of the body.

What Rizatriptan treats

Rizatriptan treats acute migraine attacks, with or without aura, in adults and some adolescents. It is taken to stop a migraine that has already started, not to prevent migraines from occurring, and it does not treat tension headaches or other headache types.

How Rizatriptan works

Migraine pain involves swollen blood vessels around the brain and the release of chemicals that carry pain signals. Rizatriptan activates serotonin receptors that narrow these blood vessels and reduce the release of those pain-signalling chemicals, easing the headache and the associated nausea and light sensitivity.

Before you take it

  • Do not take rizatriptan if you have coronary artery disease, a history of heart attack, stroke, or transient ischaemic attack, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or blood vessel disease affecting the limbs or gut.
  • Do not combine it with an MAOI antidepressant, or take it within 24 hours of another triptan or an ergot medicine such as ergotamine.
  • Tell your prescriber about other antidepressants (SSRIs or SNRIs), since combining them with rizatriptan carries a risk of serotonin syndrome.
  • Rizatriptan is not intended for migraine prevention or for other types of headache.

Side effects

Common effects include drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, and a warm or tingling sensation.

Seek urgent care for:

  • Chest pain, pressure, or tightness.
  • Sudden weakness, slurred speech, or vision loss on one side.
  • Signs of serotonin syndrome: agitation, high fever, muscle twitching, and a fast heartbeat, particularly if taking an antidepressant.

Safety essentials

  • Rizatriptan narrows arteries, so it must not be used in people with coronary artery disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, or a history of stroke or heart attack, because it can trigger chest pain or a cardiac event in those groups.
  • Do not exceed the maximum dose in 24 hours, and do not combine it with another triptan, an ergot medicine, or an MAOI.
  • If you take an SSRI or SNRI antidepressant, watch for symptoms of serotonin syndrome and tell your prescriber promptly if they occur.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.