Generic Maxalt

Maxalt is a brand name for the generic drug rizatriptan. It belongs to a class of drugs known as triptans. Maxalt is prescribed for the treatment of migraines, and helps to relieve the headaches, pain, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting that often accompany migraines. It is given in tablets; one tablet should be taken as soon as you feel a migraine begin. If your symptoms only improve slightly, or if the migraine has not gone away after two hours, you may take another dose of Maxalt, but you should not take more than three doses in a twenty-four hour period.

Maxalt, like all medications, can have side effects, though not all people experience these. You may experience drowsiness, dizziness, a sensation of numbness, tingling, or prickling, flushing, fatigue, or weakness. It is common to experience tightness in your chest, jaw, or neck soon after taking Maxalt; however, it is difficult to tell this normal reaction apart from a more serious side effect which caused by restricted blood flow to the heart, brain, or other parts of the body. This is why some doctors have their patients take their first dose of Maxalt in the doctor’s office. Rare but serious side effects that can happen include symptoms like the ones above, such as pain or tightness in the chest, jaw, or left arm, as well as fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat, changes in your vision, weakness on one side of the body, confusion, slurred speech, severe abdominal pain, or bloody diarrhea. Other serious side effects include blue fingers, toes, or nails, cold hands or feet, changes in hearing such as ringing in the ears, and mental or mood changes. If you experience any of these serious effects, you should contact your doctor immediately. In addition, some people can experience an allergic reaction to Maxalt, which includes hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

Not everyone can safely take Maxalt. Make sure to tell your doctor if you have had negative reactions to other triptans in the past. Your doctor should also know if you have a history of heart disease, especially chest pain or heart attack, stroke or TIA, a blood circulation disease, high blood pressure, or other types of headaches.

Some medications react badly with Maxalt. If you are taking sibutramine, an obesity medication, you should not take Maxalt. You should not take it if you are taking MAO inhibitors, and you should tell your doctor if you are taking any SSRI antidepressants. Your doctor will also need to now if you are taking any prescribed or over-the-counter medications that cause drowsiness, such as antihistamines, anti-seizure medications, medicines for sleep or anxiety, muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers, or psychiatric medications.

It is not known whether Maxalt is safe to take during pregnancy, so it should only be taken with great caution when the benefits outweigh the possible risks. It is also not known whether Maxalt passes into breast milk, so similar caution should be used for nursing mothers before taking Maxalt.